Political knowledge, attitudes and values among Palestinian and Jewish youth in Israel: The role of nationality, gender and religiosity

This study explored political attitudes, awareness and values among 1753 Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Palestinian adolescents aged 15 to 17 from different localities. The findings show that Palestinian adolescents reported more trust in the political system, were more aware and had a more formulated opinion of the political system than their Jewish colleagues. In addition, it was found that more religious adolescents showed more political awareness and involvement. In general, gender gaps in political participation measures were larger among Arab adolescents compared with Jewish adolescents. The researchers suggest that some of the findings can be explained by the potential role of participation in political activities by minority adolescents in the development of adolescents' political perception and attitudes.

► Jewish youth showed more importance to political systems than Palestinian youth. ► Palestinian youth reported more trust in the political system, more awareness, and more formulated opinion of the political system than their Jewish peers. ► More religious youth (Jewish and Arab) showed more political awareness and involvement. ► Gender gaps were significantly larger among Arab in comparison to Jewish youth.