George Deek, Israel's first Christian Arab ambassador, recently highlighted a May public-opinion survey of Arab citizens of Israel conducted by Tel Aviv University's Konrad Adenauer Program for Jewish-Arab Cooperation. The survey found that a majority of Arab respondents expressed pride in their Israeli identity, according to Deek's remarks reported by Israeli media.
Deek, who serves as Israel's ambassador to Azerbaijan, made the comments during a diplomatic event. He emphasized that Arab Christians in Israel are proud of their heritage and their Israeli citizenship, noting the survey's findings as evidence of integration.
The survey, published in May 2026, polled a representative sample of Arab citizens in Israel. It indicated that despite political tensions, many Arab citizens feel a sense of belonging to the state. Deek's statements aim to counter narratives of division.
Deek has previously spoken about the unique position of Arab Christians in Israel, who make up about 2% of the population. He often highlights their contributions to Israeli society while maintaining their cultural and religious identity.
