Abstract:

Abstract: This study examines the Turkish image presented in the Arabic secondary and high school textbooks for history used since the 1970s in Israeli state schools for Arab citizens. The works in the literature that touch upon the Turkish image in Israeli textbooks generally examine only the books in Hebrew, without considering those in Arabic. Focusing on the positive and negative images of Turks found in the twelve Arabic books dwelling on Turkish history, the content analysis revealed four main themes: Tolerance for Non-Muslims, Turkish Rulers, the Period of Decline, and the Oppressive Rule of the Unionists and the Arab Rebellion. The main passages projecting a positive image of Turks were those about the tolerant treatment of the non-Muslim communities in the Ottoman Empire as well as those on Osman, Mehmed the Conqueror, Suleiman the Magnificent and Atatürk. Abdulhamid II is both criticized for his oppressive rule and praised for his reforms. Only the image of Selim I, portrayed as a cruel and bloodthirsty ruler, is completely negative. The Turkish image in the books deteriorates in chapters dealing with the period of decline, as they point out the harmful effects of the collapse of central authority on the economy and security of the provinces. The most negative Turkish image is found in the passages on the rule of the Young Turks, who the books say carried out a rigid policy of Turkification and pushed the Arabs to rebellion. Images from the period of decline and disintegration also dominate the visual material. 

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