Which religious and ethnic groups make up Israel’s Arab minority?

Israel’s Arab minority is primarily composed of Palestinians, who make up more than one-fifth of the country's total population. These individuals are categorized into several distinct religious and ethnic groups:12

• Muslims: The majority of Israel’s Arab population, roughly three-fourths, are Sunni Muslims.12
• Christians: Arab Christians form a significant minority, with communities particularly concentrated in the Galilee region and Jerusalem. Major denominations include the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches, alongside various Roman Catholic and Uniate groups.23
• Druze: The Druze are a distinct Arab community recognized by Israel as a separate group since 1957. Unlike the broader Palestinian Arab population, many Druze emphasize their loyalty to the state and serve in the Israel Defense Forces.14

While most Arabs in Israel identify as Palestinians, some Druze and other ethnic Arabs do not use this label. These communities share the use of Levantine Arabic while maintaining their unique religious and social identities.12