Silencing the professional voice: Institutional barriers and policy implications for Bedouin social workers in Israel

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of Bedouin social workers from Israel who attained bachelor’s degrees in social work at Palestinian Authority colleges and then worked in Israeli welfare services. Using a qualitative exploratory design, the researchers conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 34 Bedouin social workers and thematically analysed reflective autobiographical texts written by their mentors in a professional-support programme. The findings reveal delegitimization of participants’ professionalism stimulated by doubts about participants’ knowledge, limited command of Hebrew and professional terminology, family affiliations, and political interference, which undermine credibility.