What is Green Line Israel?
The term “Green Line Israel” refers to the territory that was considered Israel after the 1948 War of Independence. You might hear the term “Israel Proper” which means exactly the same thing. The Green Line is sometimes referred to as the “Armistice Line” of the 1948 war. These terms are usually used when referring to land that is within Israel but is not the occupied territories. The occupied territories are the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights which were occupied by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War. Here is a map of Green Line Israel.
Here are a few things to know about Israel Proper or Green Line Israel:
1. After the 1948 war, which is referred to as the War of Indepencence by Israel and the Catastrophe by Palestinians, the Arabs that had not been killed or expelled from their homes and were left within Israel proper became Israeli citizens, they are referred to as Israeli Arabs. Israeli Arabs make up 23% of the population of Israel, they carry Israeli passports, and at least in theory they are entitled to the same rights as any Israeli citizen. Unfortunately this has not been the case. Israeli Arab neighborhoods have consistantly been denied governmental funds for schools and municipal expenses, and in January 2009, two of the Israeli Arab political parties were denied participation in the national elections.
2. When you see a map of Israel, often the occupied territories are included on the map as part of Israel. If you are ever confused as to why people are talking about Israel AND the occupied territories, it is because in this case, “Israel” refers to Israel Proper or Green Line Israel.