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January Newsletter 2020

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J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R OVER 500 ATTEND MOSSAWA CENTER'S END OF YEAR CONCERT Exclusive Roundtable Discussion with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Mossawa Center Director Jafar Farah was invited to an exclusive roundtable discussion with a bi-partisan delegation of American Congress members, led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and representatives from human rights and media institutions. Farah, the only Palestinian Arab citizen of Israel in the meeting, represented the Palestinian Arab community within Israel. He highlighted prominent issues facing this community, such as high poverty rates, the rise in violence, and the unrelenting incitement by Israeli politicians such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his rival Benny Gantz, and others. Farah concluded the discussion by emphasizing the fact that Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel are game changers in Israeli politics, and that they must be empowered, not ignored, in order to bring about change. We invited Joint List member Aida Touma-Sliman, the most Insightful Roundtable Discussion with important female figure in the Palestinian Arab community in Joint List member Aida Touma-Sliman Israel and one of the most prominent female politicians in Israel, to a roundtable discussion with key figures from various church and NGO offices at the United Nations. The discussion, held at the Church Center for the United Nations (CCUN), addressed how the Joint List's performance in the September elections reinvigorated and energized Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, proving to themselves and the world that they are key players in the political process. Moreover, MK (Member of Knesset) Touma-Sliman highlighted the importance of removing PM Netanyahu from office in order to bring about the full realization of civil and human rights for Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel. The Deal of the Century and everything that's wrong with it NO PALESTINIAN REPRESENTATION IN NO SOVEREIGN PALESTINIAN CAPITAL NO RIGHT OF RETURN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS The plan released by President The deal has no mention of the Under Trump's plan, only a part Trump was developed and right of Palestinians to return of East Jerusalem will become negotiated entirely between to their lands and homes from the capital of a future Israel and the United States; which they were forcibly Palestinian State, while Israel there were no Palestinian expelled by Israeli forces, will be allowed to have all of representatives throughout ignoring the most important Jerusalem as its 'undivided' the entire process. demand of the Palestinians. capital. NEAR TOTAL ANNEXATION OF THE RECOGNITION OF ILLEGAL ISRAELI FULL ISRAELI MILITARY WEST BANK SETTLEMENTS AS ISRAELI TERRITORY JURISDICTION OVER THE REGION Israel will be allowed to annex According to Trump, 'no A future Palestinian State will the Jordan River Valley (which Palestinians or Israelis will be be prohibited from having any comprises about 30%-40% of uprooted from their homes,' armed forces, granting Israel the entire West Bank) and therefore, allowing Israel to complete military control of existing settlements in the retain and expand its illegal the region, thus, allowing it to West Bank, deemed illegal settlements in the Occupied continue its military expansion according to international law. Palestinian Territories. into Palestinian territory. LAND SWAP TO INCREASE JEWISH NO MENTION OF PALESTINIAN ARAB NO SOVEREIGNTY MAJORITY IN ISRAEL CITIZENS OF ISRAEL The Triangle Area in Israel, One of the conditions for the As with every 'peace' plan consisting almost entirely of creation of a Palestinian State previously drafted, Palestinian Palestinian Arab localities, will includes that the PLO and Arab citizens of Israel were be transferred to the West Palestinian Authority must neither mentioned nor Bank, shrinking the Palestinian refrain from any attempt to join represented in any way in this Arab population in Israel by any international organization proposal, despite comprising a about a quarter million. without the consent of Israel. fifth of Israel's total population. I N C A S E Y O U M I S S E D I T Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been In a racially motivated move, Likud Knesset officially indicted in court on charges of fraud, Members, under Netanyahu's leadership, breach of trust, and bribery, following his have appealed to the Central Elections withdrawal of a parliamentary Committee to ban Joint List member Heba immunity request. This is the first time in Yazbak from running in the upcoming March Israel's history that a sitting Prime Minister has elections. Benny Gantz, a self-proclaimed been indicted on criminal charges. "centrist" and Netanyahu's primary rival, has expressed his support for the move, along with Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) leader Center-left Jewish party Meretz has agreed to Avigdor Lieberman and a vast majority of merge with the Labor-Gesher alliance, officially other lawmakers. In fact, a majority of the bringing an end to the existence of members in the newly formed Labor-Gesher- progressive, left-wing Jewish parties in Israel. Meretz alliance have also expressed support The Joint List is now left standing as the for the move, including members from sole progressive, left wing voice in the country. Meretz. Israel's Central Elections Committee decided Following his meeting with President Trump, a to bar Joint List member Heba Yazbak day before the release of his 'Deal of the from running in the upcoming elections, Century,' Netanyahu's chief rival in the following an appeal by Likud members. This is upcoming March elections, Benny Gantz of the not the first time the committee has banned a Blue and White party, announced that he plans Palestinian Arab lawmaker from running in to bring Trump's proposed 'peace' plan to a the elections as just in the April elections last vote in the Israeli Knesset in the coming days. year, it banned a Hadash candidate and the Despite leading a so called 'centrist' platform, entire Balad faction of the Joint List. Both this is the latest example of Gantz and his party decisions were challenged by the Joint List showing yet again that they are no different and later overturned in the Supreme Court - than Netanyahu and his extreme, right- which is expected to happen in MK (Member wing coalition. of Knesset) Yazbak's case as well. Follow us on social media as we give you continuous coverage and analysis of the ramifications of Trump's 'Deal of the Century' on the Palestinian people, the Israeli elections, and the future of the peace process. @friendsofmossawa @friendsofmossawa @mossawaUSA.
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