The Government of Israel has moved to accelerate development and other projects designed to raise the standard of living and quicken the integration into the country’s economic and social life of the 200, 000 Israeli Arabs, Zalman Divon advisor on Arab affairs to Premier David Ben Gurion, announced today.
Mr. Divon told a press conference that the current drive is part of an overall, increasingly successful campaign to gain acceptance and cooperation among the rural, conservative Arab population of modern improvements in health, education and agriculture.
The basic effort, he added, is in the field of education where the government is trying to obtain 100 percent compliance with the compulsory education law, particularly for Moslem girls. Israel already has achieved the highest Arab school attendance rate in the Middle East. Israel has 115 Arab elementary schools in operation, 85 more than existed with the state was established, Mr. Divon revealed. The first Arab teachers college will be opened next year.
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