Social cohesion and intergroup conflict in the negev: Jewish and arab attitudes toward the absorption of russian immigrants

This chapter discusses the attitudes of Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens toward immigrants from the Soviet Union and the absorption process. It focuses on a study that was designed to assess the extent of social cohesion and conflict being expressed by people with varying interests, social status and ethnic origins. The natural reaction to conflict in social contexts is usually to view it as a dysfunctional force that can be attributed to some regrettable set of circumstances or forces. The Jewish population included low-income residents of Beer-Sheva, middle-to high-income residents of a suburban community, and residents of kibbutzim. The chapter shows that the ethnicity and socio-economic status of Israeli citizens tend to be associated with their attitudes toward the impact of Soviet immigration on intergroup conflict. In a period marked by economic and social scarcities, Israel wants to retain its commitment to absorb large numbers of immigrants.