Sense of citizenship in Israel: Changing approaches and issues

The aim of this study is to examine how the concept of citizenship took its shape in Israel, a concept which is dynamic and has been defined in many different ways under the effects of some social, religious, political and cultural elements throughout history and to figure out what kind of problems have been experienced in the concept of Israeli citizenship. The desire of having their own country which Jewish people carried in their hearts for generations until the establishment of Israel has evolved into a desire to make this state as Jewish as possible and this fact has affected the understanding of citizenship in Israel significantly. Within this context, it is seen that the old testament-based ethnic consciousness and identity of Jewish people who became a nation much before coming together under the roof of a modern state, has priority in the formation and implementation of the State of Israel?s citizenship understanding. This priority gives rise to the contravention of some basic rights of Israeli citizens who are not Jewish origin and creates a social polarization. Key Words: Citizenship, Global Citizenship, Current Changes In Citizenship, Israeli Citizenship, Problems Of Israeli Citizenship