Jewish-Arab Couple Relationships in Israel: Underlying Motives for Entering and Engaging in Intermarriage

There has been little data concerning psychological aspects of Israeli Jewish and Arab couples. This study investigated Israeli Jewish and Arab minority couples from the perspective of the women involved in these relationships. Semistructured interviews were deployed (n = 29) and the data were examined in relation to the sociopolitical background in Israel. The article presents a number of motivations for engaging in such relationships: love, resolving childhood issues, rebellion, attention seeking, and ideological and cultural enrichment. The data provide useful perspectives for working with and counseling other similar Israeli Jewish and Arab couples or other mixed couples living in war-torn societies. Recommendations for future research are also provided.