There used to be a one line writeup above this one defining an Israeli simply as a holder of an Israeli passport/citizenship. This laughably simplistic definition prompted me to write the below.
*lol*
Don't we all wish it was as simple as that!
Unfortunately there are citizens in Israel, and then, there are citizens.
The only people who enjoy the full benefits of an Israeli citizenship are Israeli Jews. This is not a racist comment, people, I am one of them, after all.
Israeli Arabs are discriminated against by every conceivable government authority, and this is smoothed over with public opinion by hate mongering as well as the oh-so-conclusive argument that "after all, they don't serve in the army" (army service is a huge part of the Israeli national ethos). The fact that they're not allowed into the army even if they wanted to serve is somehow overlooked.
Israeli Beduins do serve in the military, and pay their taxes like everybody else, but still their way of life is being systematically demolished by an anal retentive administration that wants them to be settled in convenient little villages where they can be accounted for and kept an eye on, instead of their traditional semi-nomadic tribal tent enclaves. The suicide rates and general discontent in these villages are appaling, and the young people are torn betwen the old and the new in ways which are at best disorienting and confusing.
The Israeli Druze, who also serve in the military, live in large towns which are only recongnised as "villages" by the state. They have many fewer state funded amenities (including, just for example, proper sewage infrastructure) and their school system is years behind the Jewish one in funding and curriculum. The Druze have a tradition of warrior-like pride, and so are naturally attracted to IDF careers - a large precentage of the men are professional soldiers. You'd be amazed at how few of them are actually high-ranking officers, though, and I assure you that has nothing to do with their professional capabilities.
This is just a brief, very brief outline of the problems there are being an Israeli if you're not Jewish. If you are Jewish... Well, then you have to prove you are to the satisfaction of the religious authority (there is no leagl separation between state and religion in Israel). Then you have to contend with your cultural and ethnic background being a minority in a nation in which everyone is some sort of minority. If you're an immigrant, like a vast precentage of Israelis either are or were at some stage, you have all the problems of acclimatisation to deal with. Then there is the mandatory army service for you and your children (not a happy prospect if you're the parent of well-meaning patriotic 18-year-olds)...
Christ, and we haven't even stated on the Palestinians yet... Don't get me wrong, Israel is an amazing place. I feel priviledged to have grown up there, I know I'm a better, more aware and independent person for it. But being Israeli is a hell of a lot more than just having the blue passport.