The Galilee is the most ethnically diverse region in Israel, and its Arab population, approximately 53% of the region’s residents, is a central part of its character. Arab citizens of Israel in the Galilee include Muslims, Christians, and Druze, each with their own traditions, cuisine, and relationship to the land. Understanding the Arab Galilee is essential to understanding the region as a whole.
The Communities
Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel, is predominantly Muslim and Christian. Villages like Kafr Kanna, Eilabun, and Tur’an dot the hillsides, many of them continuously inhabited for centuries. The Druze communities at Daliat el-Carmel and Isfiya on Mount Carmel, and at Nabi Shu’eib in the lower Galilee, maintain their distinct identity. And the Bedouin communities of the region add yet another layer to the cultural mosaic.
Food and Hospitality
Arab hospitality in the Galilee is legendary. A visit to an Arab village often includes coffee, sweets, and conversation, even if you arrived as a stranger. The food, from Nazareth’s knafeh to the Druze pita of the mountain villages, is some of the best in Israel. Several Arab chefs from the Galilee have gained national and international recognition, and the region’s food scene is one of its greatest assets.
Experience with Hoshen Tours
Hoshen Tours includes Arab villages, markets, and restaurants in Galilee itineraries, giving visitors an authentic encounter with the communities that make this region unique.