Introduction:

The demographic trends in the Land of Israel give rise to many implications regarding the future of the Zionist Enterprise. A vital condition for maintaining the State of Israel’s existence as the National Home for the Jewish People, while preserving the principles of democracy, is the existence of a solid Jewish majority in the State of Israel. Therefore, it is important to examine the demographic issue with regard to a number of central groups: Israeli Arabs within the borders of Israel, the Palestinian population in Judea and Samaria, Jewish sub-groups, and other non-Jewish groups who have taken significant roles in Israeli society, especially in the past two decades.

The demographic issue has great importance when dealing with the Israeli Arab demand for the implementation of their aspiration for full national rights in the State of Israel, and not in a Palestinian State, if and when it arises. This is a clear cut challenge of the State of Israel as a Jewish State.  Moreover, this issue will also have implications on the borders of the State of Israel (e.g. the suggestion to transfer Israeli-Arab communities to the jurisdiction of the Palestinian authority).

Additionally, The Palestinian issue had (as proven in the Disengagement Plan in 2005) and continues to have serious implications regarding the establishment of the future borders of the State of Israel, whether as the result of a future resolution between the State of Israel and the Palestinians or by one-sided initiatives.

This aside, difficulties also arise from the various groups that constitute Israeli society, which do not necessarily view the development of the Zionist Enterprise as a goal, and at times even support separatist movements in order to preserve their unique ideologies, despite whether these groups are Jewish (sub-groups of the Haredi population, immigrants from certain countries) or if they are non-Jewish (non-Jewish immigrants, foreign workers, refugees, etc.).

Position Papers And Research Articles on Demographics:

Demographic Trends in the Land of Israel (1800-2007)

Demographic Trends in the Educational System

The demography of Jerusalem

A Jewish Majority in the Land of Israel