Israel’s civic education wars: a review of the literature and theoretical implications

Civic education research in different national settings points to how citizenship conceptions act as factors that frame and steer practice. This review of research conducted in Israel over the last 40 years questions a reality in which the choice of a leading civic ideology is controversial, due to the fundamental aspects of citizenship in Israel that are still contested. By examining publications through the theoretical lens of citizenship conceptions, the main argument to be presented is that civics in Israel is not a unifying factor, enabling a framework for democratic discussion, but rather a means to advance sectarian political views. As will be demonstrated, this insight has theoretical implications relevant for other countries dealing with such issues.