The list is ordered by category of human endeavor. Persons with significant contributions in two fields are listed in both of the pertinent categories, to facilitate easy lookup.
Ali Haidar Zahalka – former Mayor of Nazareth, former head of arab Misrad Hinouch in Israel, first delegate of Israel to the United Nations of Arab descent and of whom current israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was an observer for at the UN, one of the first creators of the Balad party of the Knesset, and one of the first creators of the Israeli scouts.
Hussniya Jabara – former politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Meretz between 1999 and 2003. She was the first Israeli Arab woman to become a Knesset member.
Hamad Khalaily – former politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the Alignment from 1981 until 1984.
Nawaf Massalha – first Muslim Arab to hold a ministerial position in the Israeli government when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Health by Yitzhak Rabin in 1992.
Taleb el-Sana – Israeli Bedouin politician and lawyer. He was the longest serving Arab Member of the Knesset until he lost his seat in 2013 [3][circular reference]Arab Member of the Knesset.
Wasil Taha – politician and member of the Knesset for the Israeli Arab party, Balad.
Ali Yahya – diplomat. Yahya became the first Israeli ambassador of Arab descent in 1995 when he was appointed ambassador to Finland, a post in which he served until 1999. In 2006 Yahya was appointed Israeli ambassador to Greece.
Abdel Rahman Zuabi – judge. Zuabi served on the Israeli Supreme Court for nine months in 1999, making him the first Israeli Arab on the country's highest court.