Weaving the Tapestry of Coexistence in Israel

Current Initiatives 2008-2009 2 - Weaving the tapestry of coexistence in Israel

Content:

An Open Letter to our friends 3

The Du-Et Media Projects: Opening Channels of Communication between Jews and Arabs 4

The Jaffa Convention Advocacy Initiatives: Tangible reforms for Jewish-Arab Equity 8

The Coexistence Network 12

Ofek Nashi - Economic Empowerment and Social Change 13

Appendix: Editorial & Lead Article from Du-Et 11 14 Weaving the tapestry of coexistence in Israel - 3

Dear Friends,

This 60th year of Israel’s existence is a time for thoughtful reflection amongst all members of the diverse communities in Israeli society. The country is facing challenges from within and from without. Among the most important of these challenges is the issue of Arab-Jewish relations, highlighted recently by the several vision papers published by the Arabs of Israel. These documents present foresights for future relations, and raise important questions about the future face of Israeli society and the pressing need to pursue equality and justice. CAF endeavors to meet these challenges through a process of inclusive, respectful and democratic discourse.

CAF's thoughtfully chosen projects are designed to achieve measurable and sustainable change. In this spirit, we continue to build upon the momentum of the achievements of our annual Jaffa Convention, which is gaining prominence as a pace setter in advancing equity and civil rights. This year has seen much progress on 2006 "Calls to Action", as well as the identification of important new issues. A gradual development of our Jewish-Arab publication Du-Et, now appearing in magazine format, has propelled it into its most successful year to date, gaining public recognition and promoting a change in media portrayal of Arab society. CAF’s Ofek Nashi project continues to advance economic and social empowerment of Arab women in Israeli society and is in the process of adding a new conflict transformation component to its activities.

This update includes an overview of current initiatives in three major spheres of our activity: the new issue of Du-Et; the Jaffa Convention; and the Ofek Nashi project. It also includes an appendix with an English translation of the Editorial and the lead article from Du-Et 11.

We appreciate your continued interest, and as always, we welcome your comments and constructive suggestions.

Udi Cohen Ibrahim Abu-Shindi

Executive Co-Directors www.caf.org.il 4 - Du-Et The Du-Et Media Projects: Opening Channels of Communication between Jews and Arabs

The Citizens’ Accord Forum believes that the media can play a broad-scale and significant role in breaking down prejudices and creating a new context for constructive dialogue between Jews and Arabs. In 2003, CAF launched Du-Et, a Hebrew-Arabic newspaper that provides a rare—and much needed—vehicle for Jewish-Arab communication. Since its inception, ten editions of Du-Et have been published and the size (editorial pages) of the newspaper has grown by six-fold. Du-Et continues to broaden and deepen communication between Jews and Arabs in Israel. In a significant milestone in 2007, Du-Et formed a partnership with Ha’aretz – one of the major daily newspapers in Israel. In June, a special feature of Du-Et focusing on Israel’s most prosperous Arab business leaders was published in The Marker – Ha’aretz’s prestigious business supplement. The feature, written and edited by Du-Et’s journalists and editors, was published alongside The Marker’s feature on Israel’s most prosperous Jewish business leaders. This first-time inclusion of Arab business leaders in Israel’s prominent business magazine was very well received by Israel’s business community and the outcomes included new prospects for commercial cooperation between Jewish and Arab business people. We hope that this type of exchange will serve as a future model for promoting broader regional commercial cooperation.

Cover of the special Du-Et 11 issue Overview of the current issue of Du-Et

The Very Affluent When comparing wealth, the numbers provide the context: The aggregate capital of the 500 richest Jews in Israel is around 60 billion dollars, half of the overall GNP. Arab capital adds up to half a billion dollars. Aggregate wealth of half a billion dollars is not that bad – for the rich. But how does it affect the 1.3 million Arabs in Israel who contribute about 10 billion dollars a year to the GNP? It must also be taken into account that half of israel’s Arabs live in poverty. How does this equation influence their integration into the Israeli economy?

Du-Et editorial team at a round table meeting with Arab business leaders. Du-Et - 5

Businessmen talk: “We are a Daring Generation”.

“We Dare !” – Arab businessmen talk about themselves, their businesses and their life in Israel.

Businesswomen talk: “We face the challenge “

Seven Arab businesswomen speak about gender and the challenges they confront as business leaders in 2008.

Leaders and Achievers: Are There Influential Arabs in Israel?

Who are the influentials in Israeli Arab society? Who pushes towards separatism and who speaks on behalf of integration? What does the future hold? Will Arabs be recognized by the media as opinion-makers? (The full text of this article in English follows this synopsis)

A human map of prominent figures in the economy, culture, science and sports of the Arab sector in Israel

In the past, the influentials were known as “the educated,” but a new generation is fostering a new image. Prominent figures in Arab culture and society share their views 6 - Du-Et

President Shimon Peres meets Arab media

“A minority to me is a cultural minority and as such I see no problem in maintaining it. There is no problem in uniqueness in culture.”

How many does it take to tango?

Minister Isaac Herzog claims that the blame for the incomplete integration of the Arabs in Israel is not entirely on the government.

MK Nadia Hilou on mobility in Arab Society in Israel

“Arabs and Jews alike know that there are gaps and civil inequalities in Israeli society. There must be change on the conceptual level. The critical first step is equality which is expressed in education and values.”

Retired Judge Dalia Dorner, Dr. Youssef Jabbarin and Dr. Ilan Saban discuss the role of the Supreme Court vis-a-vis the Arab minority

“Most of my court rulings are for the minorities. We should never forget that the permanent minority in the country are the Arabs. Each ruling on behalf of the Arabs angers 50% of the Israeli public…” Du-Et - 7

Where do we go from here?

What is being done to combat poverty in Arab society? Dr. Ramzi Halabi of Tel-Aviv University proposes a series of concrete steps to be taken in order to promote Arab economy in Israel.

”I’m not angry, I’m worried”

Prof. Sammy Smooha presents his Index of Jewish-Arab relations: “It is important to distinguish between the vision and the day-to-day reality— between the dream and practical politics.”

One Nation with Two Economies

Ra’anan Dinur, director of the Prime Minister’s Office:

“The era of the Jewish Advisor on Arab Affairs is over. Arabs must be the resource for expertise on Arab affairs.

It Takes Two to Tango

Prof. Aziz Haidar on the black market economy

The Arab contribution to Israel’s black market economy cannot be clearly defined. Estimates range between 20-40 billion dollars. 8 - Du-Et

Women at Work

Orthodox Media person and social entrepreneur Dudi Zilbershlag talks to two female Arab activists who work for economic empowerment of Arab women.

CAF Deputy Director Anat Reisman-Levi writes on women employment and social mobility.

Joint Jewish-Arab Businesses

Hilmi Kitani on the future of joint business ventures: “we need to set politics aside if we are to achieve economic success”

Shimon Malka talks to executive of Israeli banks which operate on a large scale in the Arab sector: “there is a serious problem with accepting real-estate security deposits offered by Arabs against loans, due to the controversial registration of many properties” employment and social mobility.

An eco-farm in Baka-El-Garbieh

An interview with farmers Aataf and Hanan Abu Jameel: “The idea was to preserve the traditional Palestinian farm that has been lost from the landscape ... I don’t want to change the world, but I want to contribute”

We are an identity-building generation

Prominent figures in their respective fields talk about themselves, their endeavors and the emergence of Arab Israeli culture.

Amal Murkus: ”First and foremost, I live in the State of Israel and I am proud to be a member of a national entity, a minority, which exists within the confines of the state. In my life as a musician, I try to voice the stirrings and searching of the soul of my people...”

Also in this issue: facts & figures on economy and the culture in the Arab sector in Israel Jaffa Convention - 9 The Jaffa Convention Advocacy Initiatives: Tangible reforms for Jewish-Arab Equity

The Jaffa Convention on Jewish-Arab (CTAC) initiating practical work plans that address tangible Cooperation, inaugurated in November issues. 2005, has gained national prominence as an The guiding principle is that CAF forms a partnership with annual gathering that sets a public agenda leading universities, research institutes, NGOs, government to focus on equity and bridging the gaps offices and other public organizations. The work is conducted between Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens. by a core team of consultants and academic experts who The Citizens’ Accord Forum established seek to translate recommendations into actions through the Jaffa Convention in recognition of the a long-term process. The core team composes working influence that a national conference wields plans drawn from evidence-based findings. Each "Call to in forming priorities and commanding public attention and Action" is advanced by a sub-team of academic experts, awareness. Policymakers and civil society leaders view the policy consultants and civil society leaders. Their work is annual Jaffa Convention as a guiding force and pacesetter conducted in coordination with government ministers and on issues of equity and civil rights. The Jaffa Convention is Knesset legislators. The partnership may also entail financial distinguished from other gatherings regarding these issues support and in-kind contributions. by virtue of the fact that it is a “Call to Action Convention” www.jaffaconvention.org.il

Preservation of Muslim Holy Sites In Partnership with the Hebrew University’s Truman Institute, the Leadership of the Southern Islamic Movement and Prominent Figures from the Chief Rabbinate

In June, 2008, a bill of law was submitted to the Knesset by MK Sheik Ibrahim Tsartsur and MK Rabbi Michael Melchior. The law, based on a Jaffa Convention Call to Action, recommends the establishment of a body responsible for the protection and development of Muslim holy places. The bill of law was endorsed by MKs, Arabs and Jews, from various factions on both the Right and the Left of the political spectrum, and is expected to be brought to a preliminary reading in the very near future. Subsequent to CAF’s advocacy efforts, a government meeting was convened on 31 August 2008 to discuss the bill of law. At the end of the meeting CAF was officially requested to submit to the government a full proposal for the establishment of a governmental association which will take charge of the preservation of Muslim holy sites. Mixed Jewish-Arab Cities In Partnership with the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University

On 1 July 2008 the Knesset Interior Committee discussed CAF’s recommendation to officially recognize the concept of “mixed cities”. Subsequent discussions will address the proposals included in the Jaffa Convention ‘Call to Action’ to establish a centralized administrative authority charged with pooling resources, monitoring and setting standards for more equitable allocations to meet the urgent economic, educational and social needs of Arabs in mixed cities.

Border Crossings and the Preservation of Civil Rights In Partnership with the Israel Airports Authority

CAF is addressing the crucial need to improve services and treatment of Arabs at Ben Gurion Airport and Israel’s land-border crossings. A committee led by CAF co-executive director Ibrahim Abu Shindi and including public figures from Israel’s Arab community, is working in close cooperation with the Israel Airport Authority (IAA), El-Al employees and officials responsible for land-border crossings. The aim of this pursuit is to provide border-crossing staff with in-service training on cross-cultural sensitivities. The current efforts constitute the pilot stage of the full-fledged project which we are hoping to launch during the coming year. Among the changes being advanced are a review of current of work methods and procedures, training for airport personnel and security officials, and community relations site tours to enhance services provided to Arab travelers. 10 - Jaffa Convention More Equitable Distribution of Resources in Arab Municipalities In partnership with the Knesset’s Jewish-Arab Caucus and the University of Haifa In 2008, CAF has begun monitoring the implementation of the new allocations policy of Israel’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Services, and developing additional measures to assure the more equitable distribution of resources. Due to this monitoring work, the ministry informed CAF in June 2008 of its plans to take several significant steps on this issue, allocating 10 million shekels to these initiatives. Among other measures, care of children and at-risk youth in the Arab sector will now be financed fully by the government, offices in the Arab sector will receive priority for development of a computerization program and will be required to contribute financing at a greatly reduced rate, and plans have been drawn up to open 5 employment centers for disabled people in the Arab sector in the north. The ministry ensures CAF that they will continue to work – in accordance with CAF’s recommendation – to reduce the gaps between welfare services provided to the Jewish and Arab sectors.

Nachum Itzkovitch. Director General of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services, speaking at the Jaffa Convention 2007. Non-Take-Up of Rights in Arab Municipalities In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Haifa University, Sikkuy and local Arab Councils An important first step was taken in encouraging closer ties between senior Ministry of Tourism officials and Arab municipality representatives, in order to utilize existing budgets to promote tourism in Arab areas. A one-day event in Wadi ‘Ara in April 2008 in order to raise awareness and support for the development of tourism in the Wadi Ara region, led to a meeting between a local nonprofit tourist organization and officials from the Ministry of Tourism. The organization has also begun developing a work plan with Israel’s Small Business Development Authority (SBDA). CAF is working on plans to further develop progress in this field and create a model for promoting tourism and business opportunities for Arab regions. On 23 July 2008 the Knesset Caucus for Jewish-Arab Coexistence convened to discuss further actions to be taken following the Wadi Ara tour in order to promote tourism in the Arab sector. CAF is currently mapping out the various tourist attractions in the Arab sector in order to promote an effort to increase their public visibility.

The Establishment of an Arab Educational Unit under the Auspices of the Ministry of Education In Partnership with the University of Tel Aviv and the Massar Institute for Educational Planning and Guidance

CAF’s proposal to establish an Arab Educational Unit within the Ministry of Education was discussed by the Knesset Education Committee. Subsequently, the Knesset Committee members requested that CAF carefully examine the practical implications of establishing the proposed unit. Our study, which included an in-depth investigation of current education budget allocations, revealed that the parameters of the proposal should be reconsidered with less emphasis on creating a new and completely independent body, and greater focus on broadening the authority and resources of existing infrastructures within the Arab educational system. Specifically, three areas were examined: (1) a comparison of the resources and services allocated to Jewish and Arab educational systems; (2) measures for programs developed expressly for Arab educational systems; and (3) a comparison of allocations for Jewish and Arab heritage education. The conclusion was that the proposed Arab Educational Unit must be developed within the context of these three spheres. The precise role and function of the unit, as well as the question of to whom the unit will report must still be determined. Meanwhile, on 2 July the Knesset Education Committee convened with the participation of Education Minister Prof. Yuli Tamir to further discuss the various implications of CAF’s proposal. Jaffa Convention - 11 Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Response for Israel’s Northern Arab Municipalities In partnership with Security Cabinet Minister Ami Ayalon, the Homefront Command, the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Office, the Interior Ministry, the Committee of Local Arab Authorities and “Yozma” the Arab NGO for Emergency Preparedness On 24 June CAF organized a meeting in Nazareth, which examined emergency preparedness in Arab towns in the North. In doing so, we managed – for the first time – to bring together all the relevant players concerning this issue in order to advance practical measures to assure emergency preparedness of Arab towns (for war and all potential conflicts). Shawki Khatib, Chairman of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee and Chairman of the National Committee for the Heads of the Arab Municipalities emphasized the importance of the Second Lebanon War in illustrating the vulnerability of Arab municipalities in the North to all types of emergency. Furthermore, he explained that the war – and ensuing societal attitudes – placed Arab citizens in a duality, with their leaders attempting to stand up for their right to be protected from danger, despite the prevalent feeling in Jewish-Israeli society that the Arabs were happy about the war. Security Cabinet Minister Ami Ayalon expressed his satisfaction with the start of a process of cooperation, which he believes will help him implement recommendations from the report conducted after the war. Minister Ayalon promised to hold a follow-up discussion in the Ministerial Committee which he heads. Israel’s Constitution in the Context of Jewish-Arab Equity In Partnership with Knesset’s Constitution Committee and Local Municipalities CAF is developing discourse between members of the Knesset Constitution Committee and leaders of local Arab municipalities in order to bring to the fore issued pertinent to that community which the constitution, now being developed, must address. On Sunday June 22, 2008, a public meeting of the Knesset Constitution Law and Justice Committee took place in Segev Shalom in the Negev, as part of the events following the Citizens’ Accord Forum’s 2007 Jaffa Convention. The discussion was fruitful and raised many issues which demand the attention of the committee. Committee chairman, Professor Menachem Ben-Sasson expressed his desire and willingness to continue the discussion as part of the committee’s work in the Knesset.

“Between Vision and Reality: The Vision Papers of the Arabs in Israel 2006-2007” A book edited by Dr. Sarah Ozacky-Lazar and Dr. Mustafa Kabaha and, published by the Citizens’ Accord Forum. The book brings together the full texts of three collective documents composed by Palestinian-Arab groups in Israel and 13 articles written by prominent scholars, which analyze them from various perspectives. “Between Vision and Reality” has a twofold aim: to summarize, analyze and document the public discussion of the documents thus far from various points of view, and to rekindle the debate on the crucial topics the papers address. In addition, this publication provides Hebrew readers with access to the official texts, of these documents. We believe that this book can play a major role in renewing public discourse on the subject, and will contribute to a better understanding of the texts and the positions expressed. At the same time, CAF will seek to utilize key aspects of the “future vision” through formation of practical “Calls to Action” to be submitted to the Knesset and government policy-makers for implementation. The book was launched in a special event on 23rd July 2008 at Mishkenot Sha’ananim. Several more study days and discussions are planned to continue the public debate on these important documents and the ideas presented in them. 12 - Network Ofek Nashi The Coexistence Network

Together with the Abraham Fund, the Citizen’s Accord Forum established the Coexistence Network in 2001, in order to unite and provide support for the numerous organizations working to advance Jewish-Arab cooperation. Today, the network which consists of more than 170 member organizations enables these organizations to coordinate their activities, strengthen their impact on the public and cooperate in the promotion of coexistence and equality between Jews and Arabs in Israel. The Coexistence Network is run largely through its website: www.coexnet.org.il. Overview of current Coexistence Network initiatives Tolerance Month than one hundred and fifty guests attended the event, including The Coexistence Network peace activists and individuals from member organizations. The decided to adopt International event finished with presentations of the activities of 67 member Tolerance Day, and expand it organizations, summarized in a special booklet produced into a month-long event. In for the event. Among the activities of the Tolerance Month, a November, 2007, the Network Jewish-Arab conference was held alongside dialogue meetings celebrated Tolerance Month, of Arab and Jewish youth and adults. Public discussions in which many member regarding construction rights in Arab villages and workshops organizations participated. on the empowerment of Arab local authorities were also held. Tolerance Month was opened A Jewish-Arab circus performed, a youth march for tolerance with a festive event at the Knesset on November 12, where was organized in the north, and joint theatre performances were guest of honor American Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Richard developed. In 2008, we are planning to hold another tolerance Jones, discussed the utility of the activities of the Coexistence month, this time with a broader agenda, with the intention of Network in serving as an example for other initiatives. More turning it into a fixed yearly event. Ofek Nashi - Economic Empowerment and Social Change Arab families make up 32.7% of the population living in poverty. More than 48% of Arab families remain under the poverty line even after receiving supplemental income payments from the Ministry of Welfare. This situation, compounded by the Israeli government’s failure to create supportive infrastructural and economic conditions for the Israeli Arab sector, is due in large part to the fact that the average salary of Israeli Arabs in Israel is only 50% of that of Jewish Israeli citizens. In order to stay above the poverty line, Arab families, which are generally large, can only survive with the support of two income providers. The situation is complicated by the fact that only 17% of Arab women currently participate in the Israeli labor market (compared to 54.6% of Jewish women). This is partly due to Arab women’s limited access to major employment centers, but more significantly because women in Arab towns face various religious, lifestyle and social obstacles. In cooperation with Tevet, a joint initiative of Israel’s Ministry of Trade and Commerce and the JDC-Israel, the Citizens’ Accord Forum initiated Ofek Nashi (literally translated as “Feminine Horizon”) in 2006 in order to address this issue. Overview of current Ofek Nashi initiatives Ofek - Conflict Transformation Training Course (Ofek CTTC) - In 2008, together with UK based international agency RTC (Responding to Conflict), we plan to develop a two-year training program focusing on empowerment and social mobility for Arab businesswomen. RTC applies long-term processes that understand and address the root causes of conflict and seek to transform them into positive social change. Our vision is to develop this capacity and train a pilot group of businesswomen and professionals to gain a more comprehensive understanding of conflict transformation in the community and within businesses, as a means to cope with the broad challenges that Arab business women encounter. As part of the training, members of the pilot group will coach their peers and act as mediators and agents of change. The special issue of Du-Et on mobility in Israeli Arab society

Lead article Spring-Summer 2008 (see pages 4 - 8 for synopsis of this edition)

In the cover picture: the ‘Mahamid Muhammad’ arab construction company is renovating the Herzl monument near Herzliya (photo: Alex Libak)

Editor’s Note

Sociologists and psychologists describe Israel as an evolving society. After sixty years, the State, and Israeli society, with its aspirations and varied streams and groups, is still growing. Israeli Arab society, in all its diversity, is also evolving—seeking its collective identity and building its future. The future requires a strong foundation of higher education, culture and a developing economy. The future requires individuals of excellence, leaders and influentials in a range of fields. Israel’s Arab society is fortunate to have men and women of action in economics, business, medicine, science, culture and sport - and all aspects of modern life. How informed is Jewish society about Israeli Arab involvement in all these aspects of the country’s daily life? Arab society is remote from Israeli public discourse, except for issues of conflict and war. These narrow perspectives have limited the boundaries of discourse to that which is known and feared. A normal or even routine perspective is shunted aside. In the eleventh edition of Du-Et, we have sought to present and become acquainted with Arab society through mobility issues. Equality requires recognition of the need to change, and take affirmative action. Equality also requires openness and social mobility between the majority and the minority—and within the minority group. Our engagement in the question of mobility presents us with individuals and topics that public discourse tends to ignore. However, they are presented here. They live, build, create and grow. The evolution of Israeli society is linked to the evolution of Arab society—we are bound to one another. We have learned a great deal in the preparation of this edition—Jews and Arabs alike. We hope that our readers will also become acquainted with Arab society in a way they haven’t known until now. Leaders and Achievers in society and Economy Are There

Influential Jewish Israelis love to rank their political, social and economic leaders, evaluating them and peeping into their Arabs in worlds. Israeli Arabs have the right to look, too - but only from the outside. The chance of finding an Arab on one of those lists of „the most influential Israelis“ or “the people Israel? of the year” is close to nil. Even in the near future, it is highly unlikely that any Arabs will appear on the lists that Udi Cohen rank the economically influential individuals who have an indirect effect on the pockets of all of us. Arab don’t appear on the maps of hidden power. They are not counted among the leaders of the market, Who wields influence over Arab society in Israel? they are not part of the financial regulatory mechanisms In what way? Who pulls towards separation from and very few of them can be found among the rich and the state and Jewish society and who pushes for powerful. There are three Arab families on „The Marker’s“ integration? What will Arab society be like in a list of the 500 wealthiest Israelis – and they are at the few years? bottom of the list. Does this mean that Arabs in Israel have no influence on the economy? Since they make up 20 percent of the population, Arabs certainly do have a significant role in determining the way in which the state functions, as well as on its image and identity, and, consequently, on the nature and scope of the economy. This is not merely a question of the Wielding Forces in Israeli Arab Society Leaders and Achievers in society and Economy

political, national and democratic identity of the state; But there are other forces at work, too, pulling Arab it is an issue that is relevant to the market forces that society towards social and economic separatism from the operate within Israel. State and its Jewish majority. Recently, Israeli directors of marketing and CEOs, Questions regarding the direction in which Arab having discovered the economic potential and the society is headed today – towards separatism or towards changes in culture and consumption occurring within integration – relate directly to other questions regarding Arab society, seem to be willing to increase their the developing character of Arab society. Two opposing investments in the Arab sector. According to data from trends are at work here – the conservative, traditional- Yifat, an information corporation, 2006 saw a 20 percent religious trend, and, in opposition, the trend towards growth in investments allocated towards advertising Westernized modernity. The increased influence of the in the Arab sector, accompanied by targeted activity conservative trend, coupled with demographic predictions in Arab cities and centers on the part of chains and that within 20 years the Arabs and the Jewish ultra- franchises such as Neopharm, Super-Pharm, Aphrodite, Orthodox population will together make up one half of ACE, Best Buy, and G.R.A.S. New commercial centers are Israel’s population, is likely to bring about significant opening up and existing centers such as the BIG chain, changes in Israel’s economy. It is not difficult to imagine the Grand Mall in Haifa and the City Mall in Kfar Saba the direction of the changes in terms of marketing and have been making an effort to increase their portion of advertising. the Arab market in central and northern Israel. These Understanding the operant trends and forces and trends further point to growth in that proportion of the recognizing those individuals who wield influence over G.N.P. for which 1.32 million Arab citizens of Israel are Arab society is a first, crucial step towards understanding responsible, estimated at some 10 billion dollars annually the Arab influence on the Israeli economy, and, in and constituting some 6% of the overall G.N.P. today. particular, its future.

Written by the co-editor of the Jewish-Arab newspaper DuEt Research and writing: Nechama Oriyan, Marwan Athamneh, Goni Rivlin-Tsur, Imad Zoabi, Dr. Sarah Ozacky, Lazar and Ibrahim Abu-Shindi The Map of Power, Trends Knesset, (Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the northern Islamic movement is one of the leaders of this view) and those and the Individuals Who who seek to preserve Arab society’s uniqueness while integrating into the state and its institutions and who Influence Israel’s Economy therefore contend that the Committee should retain its current non-partisan format. The Committee has declared The Supreme Arab Monitoring that it will decide on these issues within the year 2008. Committee in Israel and the Due to the lack of clear, consensual working National Committee of Heads of procedures, the Committee does not meet regularly Arab Local Councils and convenes only in response to issues and events pertinent to the Arab public. Its decisions are based on The Supreme Arab Monitoring Committee, widely the broadest possible consensus – and this is, according regarded as representative of the Arab public, is an to some Committee members, its greatest weakness. independent political organization composed of the The Committee has come under particular criticism for Arab Knesset members, the heads of local councils, and decisions regarding the two commonly-accepted days of representatives of social groups and political movements. public mourning and commemoration – Land Day and The committee’s name points to the main thrust of its Memorial Day for the Events of October. activity – monitoring the government and the statutory Last year, Committee Chairman Shawqi Khatib institutions in Israel and their treatment of Arab citizens. resigned due to internal political tensions resulting The committee is not an executive body nor are its from what was referred to as „the gap between the members elected through direct elections. While the expectations of the Monitoring Committee and its actual state does not officially recognize the committee, which operational capabilities.“ In an interview with the „Kol was formed in 1982, it does relate to the committee and Alarab“ newspaper, Khatib said that the Arab political to the individuals at its head as the representatives of parties are not doing enough to ensure the success of the Arab society in Israel, especially since the bloody events joint activities within the framework of the Monitoring of October 2000. Committee. In response to coaxing and convincing, Khatib The committee has no defined legal status and its was persuaded to reverse his decision, after eliciting members convene on the basis of mutual trust and shared a commitment from most of the components of the goals in the offices of the National Committee of the Commttee to adhere to joint decisions and contribute to Heads of Local Councils (see below). their implementation. For the past ten years, members of the Committee The National Committee of Heads of Arab have been trying to agree on a charter, but two key Local Authorities – established in February 1974, with disputes have hindered their progress. The first dispute governmental support and encouragement, some eight relates to the role of the Arab members of Knesset – and, years after the repeal of military rule. more recently, Arab cabinet ministers - who represent Since its inception, the painful issue of land Zionist parties such as Labor and Meretz. The second expropriations from Arabs in the Galilee has been a priority dispute relates to the requirement that members of the for the National Committee, combined with the demand committee be elected by general elections within the Arab that the state recognize the Arabs as a national minority. population. The opponents line up according to those This demand was first raised in a meeting with Prime who call for establishment of a separatist Arab society Minister Yitzhak Rabin in May 1976; most researchers and view the committee as a parliament parallel to the consider that meeting to be a critical turning point. Rabin responded that Israel is a Jewish state and is obligated to of the Monitoring Committee (see above) and activity is grant Arabs full rights as a specific cultural and religious divided between the two institutions according to the entity, but he refused to address the issue of land or requirements of the two institutions. the demand that the Arabs be recognized as a national The Committee of the Heads of Arab Authorities minority. In a letter to Rabin following the meeting, the represents more than 80 Arab local authorities, all of committee stated that, “the main point of contention, over them struggling over a long list of painful topics that which there is danger that the two peoples will become burden the Arab population, including equality in budget distanced from one another, is the denial of our status as a allocations and infrastructure, the need for improvement in national minority and the non-recognition of our right to the education system, prevention of housing demolitions, be owners of the land on which our forefathers lived.” recognition of unrecognized villages and prevention of Since then, the committee has vacillated between forced unification of local councils and appointment of the two poles of local-municipal and national-political committees that supersede the authority of the councils. activity. In 1982, the Monitoring Committee was Recently, a broad-based group of public and academic established alongside the Committee of the Heads of leaders wrote and published, under the auspices of the Local Authorities. The chairman of the Committee of National Committee, a document known as the „Vision of Heads of Local Authorities also serves as the chairman the Future“ of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel. In the „Vision,“

Graduate of the civil engineering And what does Shawqi Khatib think about department at the Technion. Employed the future? for some ten years as an engineer for Any discussion of the future requires large construction companies. In 1989, a deep look into the past. The demand Khatib, 51 and the father of three, for a true change in attitude on the part turned to politics and was elected acting of the leaders of the State towards the chairman of the Yafia local authority, Arab population stems from the past near Nazareth. A year later, he was – those leaders must accept us as equal elected head of the local authority, partners, both in political discourse a position he continues to hold. In and with regard to development and 2001, he was elected chairman of the economic growth. National Committee of Heads of Arab Separation and self-imposed isolation Local Authorities and chairman of the from the Jewish public are not the

Meet some of the protagonists: Supreme Monitoring Committee. population’s default position, but Khatib has also served as a member of the a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian executive of the Arab-Israel Bank. conflict, in all its complexity, will Many view Khatib, a member of the have an important effect on these Hadash party, as a representative of issues as well. the Arab sector. Over the past year, With regard to economic issues, it is Khatib has appeared frequently important and appropriate to consider appeared in public debates, following a new development taking place among publication of the Vision document; the leaders of the Arab economy – the in his appearances, he emphasizes development of an outward-looking, that the document is an opening move global view. It may be that can provide Shawqi Khatib in the negotiations with the Jewish an appropriate solution to the economic Photo: Flash public regarding the expectations and siege from which Arab society suffers. demands of Arab society. (This interview was conducted for this article) the trend towards finding ways for the Arab minority to The Religious Movements integrate into the life of the state while maintaining its rights as an indigenous minority is evident. In the chapter The Islamic Movement – founded in 1971 by Sheikh Abdallah dealing with the question of the relationship to the Nimr Darweesh, a graduate of the Islamic College in Nablus. state, the authors request that the state recognize “the The movement, which aspires to bring Israeli Muslims closer Palestinian Arabs of Israel as an indigenous national group to Islam, operates on three planes of activity: religious (and as a minority according to the relevant definitions (Muslim religious services and Muslim-religious education); in international conventions) that has the right, within social (social and welfare services); and national-political. the framework of the state and citizenship, to choose The relationship with the state and its institutions and aid its representatives directly, to conduct its own particular to Palestinians in the territories comes to the fore in the affairs, (cultural, educational and religious) and to establish national-political plane. And it is in this context that in its national institutions in all realms of life.” 1996 the movement split into two factions: the northern In the chapter dealing with the economic development faction, viewed as the more extremist, maintains that Islam strategy for Israel’s Palestinian Arabs, the authors state has one body of legislation – the Sharia. The declaration that “the best alternative for the Arab citizens is two- of independence, according to the northern faction, is the tiered development: on the one hand, integration into Koran, which cannot be replaced by any secular declaration. the Israeli labor market and economy based on their right The southern faction, viewed as more moderate, accepts the as citizens to equal opportunity in the labor market and principle that a believing Muslim can live anywhere according entrepreneurship; and on the other hand, creation of an to the spirit of Islam and in accordance with the laws of that ethnic internal dynamic. These two trends will lead to place. Islam, the southern faction contends, is a religion of increased opportunities in Arab society, liberation from life suitable for any area and environment, even a negative dependency and a sense of of social solidarity.” environment such as Zionism. In their opinion, a Muslim must find the components within Muslim law and tradition What’s next? that will enable him to live as a believer, proud of his religion It would appear that the Monitoring Committee, and heritage, and as a citizen with equal rights in the Israeli together with the National Committee of Heads of Arab state. Knesset membership is viewed as a necessary evil by the Local Authorities, will act according to the findings of a southern faction. According to the southern faction, being recent survey that indicates that many Arabs in Israel view elected to the Knesset is inevitable while the northern faction these institutions as representative organizations fighting totally rejects it. on their behalf over worthwhile matters but are also Both factions of the movement conduct numerous critical of their failure to reach significant achievements. activities, including religious study, organized prayer, summer This year, the Monitoring Committee intends to determine programs for children, renovation of abandoned mosques, aid its mission and the manner in which it will continue to to needy families and help in solving other family problems, work; this should have a significant effect on Jewish-Arab a soccer league, campaigns against traffic accidents and a relations in Israel. The “Vision” document also remains persistent struggle against drug abuse. These activities are on the agenda of the Arab leadership in Israel, whose organized through specialized non-profit organizations that members are planning some sort of ‘re-vision’ of the vision, collaborate among themselves on an ad hoc basis. in keeping with the responses, which were primarily from The Northern Faction (the Northern Movement) – has the Jewish sector, following the release of the preliminary received extensive media coverage for years, due to its version. Furthermore, the Committee is planning an overall nationalist-political activity. In 2003, attention focused on discussion of the role of Knesset members in this process. the highly publicized arrest of the leaders of the northern The northern faction, viewed as the more faction, most prominently Sheikh Raed Salah, who were extremist, maintains accused of providing financial assistance to the Hamas. that Islam has one The affair ended with a plea bargain after about two body of legislation years. Last year, attention focused on the struggle over the – the Sharia. The renovations at the Mughrabi Gate at the Temple Mount declaration of complex, led by Sheikh Salah as part of the “Defense of independence, the al-Aqsa Mosque” campaign. Every year, this campaign according to the includes a mass rally in Umm el-Fahm, which this year northern faction, was attended by some 70,000 people, under the banner, is the Koran, which “The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Danger.” Every week, dozens of cannot be replaced by any secular declaration. The Born in 1948 in Kufr Qassem. Studied in single principle: the Arabs and Jews are Nablus, and upon returning to Israel in citizens of one state and subject to its southern faction, 1971, established the Islamic movement legal system. viewed as more in Israel. Segregation or partnership? –The answer moderate, accepts Since its inception, under his leadership, lies with the state institutions. True, the principle that the movement has denounced violence there are obstacles that slow down the a believing Muslim in favor of cultural and spiritual process, but policy determines their can live anywhere activity. After ten years of activity, the intensification or attenuation. If the according to the movement decided to become involved in government promotes equality and spirit of Islam and in local politics. In 1996, still under Nimr peace, the two populations will make accordance with the Darweesh’s leadership, the movement also every effort towards cooperation and laws of that place. entered national politics, and ever since, towards life in a modern society. there have been and still are Knesset Can the two societies separate? – It is Meet some of the protagonists: members representing the movement. difficult to imagine such a process. Today, the Sheikh is involved in The two societies are linked, one way organizing activities for increased or another. Sometimes the process of interfaith activity and inter-religious connection is accompanied by difficult understanding between Jews, Christians disputes, but the obstacles and hatred and Muslims in Israel and in the can be overcome. Palestinian Authority. The Sheikh is And equality? Regarding equality, perceived by the Arab public as a leading there has been in a significant change spiritual, religious figure, is accepted in Jewish society’s view on the matter. within the ranks of policymakers in Today there is awareness of the fact Israel and has been very helpful to the that Arab society has suffered from President in attempts to engage the inequality and efforts are being made Arab public in his activities. Numerous towards improvement. Awareness is the politicians, including current President first step towards integration. Shimon Peres, visit the Sheikh’s home on And the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? holidays and other festive occasions. 70% of the Arab public and 70% of the Jewish public want to separate from the Sheikh ‘Abdallah Nimr Darweesh Palestinian side. This is shared by both Photo: Courtesy of Adalah - The Legal Center of Arab What does Sheikh ‘Abdallah Nimr Darw- Tel Aviv and Nazareth. The conflict is a Minority Rights in Israel eesh think about the future? burden to all, and it is clear to all that A discussion of the future is based on a the present situation is a dangerous one.

(interview conducted expressly for this article) The power of the northern movement buses leave from the villages and cities to the mosque. is also evident in the After prayers at the mosque, the worshipers usually go economic basis that it shopping in Jerusalem’s Old City market in an attempt to is establishing ….in support the local merchants. discussions, members Publications and interviews with heads of the of the southern faction northern faction reveal two contradictory trends. The claim that they are first, stronger and more prominent, is characterized as pragmatic .”We are a social initiative for the creation of a society “able to allowed to dream and stand on its own two feet“ (al-mujtama’ al-’asami), aspire, just as you which focuses on Arab separatism from Jewish society Jews are allowed to along with aspirations for establishment of governmental dream and aspire to and economic institutions, profitable endeavors, and a Jewish state from independent educational institutions that will lead to the the Euphrates to the creation of Muslim autonomy. The demand to hold general Tigris. In reality, we elections for the Monitoring Committee (see above) is also are pragmatic and live viewed as part of this trend. At the same time, one can in here and now”. also hear the the voices of the pragmatists, such as Umm

Sheikh Raed Salah (age 50) son of a religious leader who holds sway over family of 7 children from Umm al-Fahm. tens of thousands of the faithful. Two of his brothers served in the Israel In 1997, Sheikh Raed decided to choose Police force. At the end of the 1970s, the struggle over the al-Aqsa Mosque as he completed his religious studies at the primary activity that would build the Hebron Religious College. In the up the movement and disseminate early years of the Islamic movement, its messages. In 2000, following the he served as a media liaison and October events, the Orr Commission edited the movement’s newspaper “A- accused him of bearing partial Surat.” In 1989, he was elected mayor responsibility for the outbreak of the of Umm al-Fahm, the first mayor from violence, stipulating that “he made a the Islamic movement. Following tangible contribution to inciting the the movement’s support – under the crowds and to the violent outburst in Meet some of the protagonists: leadership Sheikh Nimr Darweesh – of the Arab sector…” In 2001, he resigned the Oslo agreements and the debate that as mayor, deciding to focus his activity arose over the question of the state and as a religious leader and as chairman its institutions, and in the context of of the northern faction of the Islamic the movement’s decision to participate movement. Subsequently, he served in Knesset elections, Sheikh Raed left a year and a half jail sentence on the movement and established the suspicion of providing economic aid to northern faction in 1994. Since then, the Hamas. In February 2007, a court he has been regarded as a charismatic order banned him from entering the Old City for sixty days, in response to Sheikh Raed Salah the protest activities that he led against Photo: Courtesy of Kol Al-Arab renovations of the Mughrabi Bridge. Sheikh Raed Salah declined to respond to this article. al-Fahm Mayor Sheikh Hashem ‘Abd al-Rahman Mahajneh. and Language, is saying, „I am a Palestinian and Israeli Sheikh ‘Abd al-Rahman has unequivocally aligned himself at the same time, a citizen of the state and a son of the with Sheikh Salah, whom he calls his “spiritual teacher,” Palestinian nation.“ but at the same time he also calls on and actively invites Some describe this position as a paradox that, sooner or Jews to visit his city and cooperates with them, including on later, will force the leadership of the faction to ‘take a side,’ while educational projects. In interviews, Sheikh ‘Abd al-Rahman others view it as a true existential tension that, in the future, states that despite the persistent neglect, the situation of will enable the movement to integrate into Israeli life. Israel’s Arabs is much better compared to what it would be In discussions, members of the faction claim that if they were citizens of an Arab country. He claims to say the they are pragmatic. “We are allowed to dream and same things in his lectures abroad. He aspires to an Islamic aspire, just as you Jews are allowed to dream and aspire society that lives a life based on faith and religion and sees to a Jewish state from the Euphrates to the Tigris. In no contradiction in building that society in Israel. His faults reality, we are pragmatic and live in the here and now.” the Jews for not understanding that Islam provides for “You Jews,” they say, “need to learn to also listen to our numerous, varied interpretations of reality and the way in dream, just as we are learning and listening to yours. Is which a Muslim believer is intended to live his life. that difficult for you to accept? That’s the way it is. Isn’t The power of the northern movement is also evident it difficult for you to accept that Shas aspires to a state in the economic basis that it is establishing. In addition based on halacha [Jewish law]? Our deeds and our actions to construction of a network of mosques, the movement are what matter. Leave our dreams alone – how do you is establishing emergency medicine clinics and an say it – it’s the actions that count.” ambulance company, schools, pre-schools and research Recently, the party has cooperated with ultra- and study institutions, including a center for “modern Orthodox Knesset members against the Gay Pride march contemporary studies,” under whose auspices a group of in Jerusalem and against a conference of Arab lesbians. A scholars is examining the relationship between Islam and representative of the part, MK Abas Zkoor, has proposed global and modern life. The movement is based on support legislation mandating modest and appropriate dress in from abroad and from funds raised from its thousands of all government institutions. members. Motivated by ideological considerations, the The Southern Movement is active in a variety of movement refuses to fundraise with or accept donations social activities; amongst them it operates the Islamic from European and American institutions. Association for the needy and orphans which raises funds The southern faction (the southern movement) among its members for the benefit of the needy in the is so-called because its leadership resides in the Israel and in the Palestinians Territories. It allocates fixed southernmost of the two ‘triangles’ of Arab settlement monthly funds to orphans and widows. in Israel, in the towns of Kufr Qassem and Kufr Bara in the The Alkalam Association is active on behalf of the center of the country. The faction maintains its activities Movement at the universities in organizing conferences while upholding the principle outlined by the leader of the and discussions for Arab students. The Islamic Women’s movement, MK Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsour, in an interview to Union association is active among the women in the Makor Rishon newspaper last March: “I support the organizing lectures, symposia and support groups principle that we must preserve our existence as a national The movement is also working towards integration in minority… I would like to set forth a ‘collective Arab the municipal realm and its representative, Sheikh Kemal declaration of beliefs’ while striving towards integration Riyan, formerly head of the Kufr Bara council, is actively rather than segregation.” In effect, the Sheikh (48), working as vice-director of the Local Government Center a graduate of Bar Ilan University in English Literature for the Advancement of Arab Authorities to strengthen their status and extricate them from the severe economic crisis that has plagued them in the recent past. Sheikh Kemal Riyan, who of late has begun working towards his law degree, is also active in national and international organizations for interfaith dialogue. It is in this context that he views his work towards the protection of abandoned Muslim holy sites in the framework of the Al-Aqsa non- profit organization which he founded several years ago.

What’s next? Despite the overt differences between the two factions, members of the movement do attempt to Age 42, born in Kufr Rama in the Galilee promote joint educational and public activities. It does not but lately resides in Jerusalem. Began appear that the two factions will return to work together his church career immediately upon on a daily basis in the near future. The key question, of completing high school. Studied Greek in course, is which of the forces will prevail – the separatist Jerusalem and subsequently traveled to or the integrationist, the religious isolationists or those Greece to complete an M.A. in theology. who promote integration through interpretation and Appointed to the role of Archimandrite adjustments that create a fit between Islam, modernism (Bishop) in 1991. and Israeliness. At the same time, of course, the question A relative of former MK Azmi Bishara. In of whether the government and its institutions will be the past, served as spokesperson for the wise enough to find the ways to involve those who are Jerusalem Patriarchate, a post from which interested in integration and work with them to reduce he was removed by Patriarch Irenaeus. social gaps, correct injustices and develop fair, respectful Considered leader of the Arab faction of Meet some of the protagonists: channels for dialogue, particularly with the northern the Church. Some refer to him as “Mutram al-’Arab” – the priest of the Arabs. faction, with whom most contact is conducted through During the Intifada, he railed against the police, the GSS and the Attorney General’s Office. the Israeli government and was even accused by the Jerusalem Patriarchate as expressing support for terror attacks, one of the reasons given for firing him from his role as spokesperson. In an interview that he gave at the time to the Haaretz daily newspaper, the bishop claimed that his words were intentionally distorted as part of the power struggles in the Church. He also headed the rebellion against reigning Patriarch Theophilus III, leading the Jordanian government to retract its recognition of him based on Bishop ‘Atallah Hana the claim that he had discriminated Photo: Courtesy of A-Sinarah against the Arabs in the Church. This claim of discrimination against Arabs in the Church is part of a last-resort The Greek Orthodox Church Jerusalem and particularly in the area of the Old City, where more than half of the land belongs to the Church. Some 80,000 Arab Christians live in Israel. Half of them The Church owns land and buildings in upscale belong to the Greek Orthodox Church; a minority are Jerusalem neighborhoods. The Knesset building, the members of the Catholic Church. In contrast to the President’s House, and the Prime Minister’s residence are Islamic movement, the Orthodox Church does not stand all built on Church land. There is almost no area in Israel out as a communal social organization that unites its where the Church does not have extensive land holdings. members under a particular social, ideological banner. Its Some refer to the Church – justifiably – as the strength stems from its real estate empire. The Church “landlord” or the “boss.” The main question is how the owns thousands of dunams throughout Israel, mainly in Church will respond when the lease on these properties ongoing battle between the Greek Arab nation and an inseparable part of leaders and the priests who represent the Palestinian people. I refuse to use the Arab nation. the term minority, since the Arabs in His working ties with Sheikh Raed Israel are not a minority, even though Salah are excellent and he attends most the government of Israel relates to them of the events organized by the Sheikh, as such. especially those held in Jerusalem. Six Separatism? The Palestinian Arabs in months ago, he signed, together with Israel must preserve their national President of the Palestinian Sharia Courts uniqueness and patriotism without Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi, an agreement resorting to extremism or separatism. forming the basis of a Christian-Moslem To this end, their ranks must be unified. front for the protection of holy places in For example, a single Arab political Jerusalem. framework must be established, despite Recently, a hudna (ceasefire) was differences of opinion and difficulties. declared within the Church, sponsored Foreign influences? I feel that there by Palestinian Authority Chairman is a national awakening, particularly Abu Mazen. Various published reports among the educated young people, but a contend that Hana submitted a letter most energetic effort is required to raise of apology to the Patriarch. According awareness and prevent assimilation and to the Patriarchate spokesperson, the the influence of foreign societies and letter of apology will be displayed to the behaviors on our traditional culture. members of the Holy Synod, the supreme Muslims-Christians: We need to build body of the Patriarchate, and they will up our churches and mosques as venues be the ones to decide whether to accept through which we can convey the spirit of the apology. brotherhood and unity between members According to reports, the hudna of the same nation and we will work to agreement includes setting a firmer limit ethnic conflict and all types and line with regard to sale of Patriarchate varieties of extremism. lands to Jews. I call upon people of the Christian, Muslim and Druze faiths to actively What does Bishop Atallah Hana reveal oppose the matter of national service. about the future? This, too, is an attempt to uproot us from Minority? – The Palestinian Arab citizens our cultural roots and from our Arab and of Israel are an inseparable part of the Palestinian identity. expires. In Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood, some leases Internal storms are also brewing within the Church. are due to expire in a mere five years. Some experts in Stories of struggles between local Arab leadership and the the real estate market have advised potential buyers not Greek clergy have also been published in the Arab media. to purchase properties on these lands. The Orthodox Church, in contrast to the Catholic What’s next? Church headed by the Pope, is comprised of national, A true conundrum. It is difficult to see any solution self-governing churches whose leaders answer to no one. on the horizon. In all likelihood, this is an additional core The term “The Greek Church” does not refer to a direct issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – and a solution connection to the Greek Church. The source of its name will be found only after all the other core problems are is analogous to the way in which the Catholic Church resolved, first and foremost those relating to Jerusalem. is referred to as “Latin.” Heading the regional church is the Patriarch. The Jerusalem Patriarch’s area of religious jurisdiction includes Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Of late, the Jerusalem Patriarchate (the seat of the Patriarch) has been mired in political struggles. Patriarch Irenaeus was dismissed, following exposure Could a local of the sale of Church land in the Old City to a Jewish ‘version’ of non-profit organization. Approximately two years ago, Fairouz appear? Theophilus III was appointed in his place, and since then, Arab-Israeli the atmosphere in Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and experts believe Israel, who are supposed to approve the choice, has been that given the turbulent. In Israel, after some two years of numerous state of Israeli- extensive delays, on Sun., 8 October 2007, a ministerial Arab society, the committee for Greek patriarchal matters recommended answer is no. that the government recognize Theophilus III as head of the Greek Orthodox Church, but this was only after the Archbishop had appealed to the High Court of Justice and lodged a complaint regarding the matter to the International Court in The Hague. The Hebrew daily newspaper, Maariv, published an article last June regarding a plan by the Emir Razi, cousin of King ‘Abdallah of Jordan, to take over lands belonging to the Church, which, as noted above, has the most extensive private land holdings in Israel. According to the daily Yediot Aharonot, Atty. Uri Messer, a good friend of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, has also been dipping into the issue of these lands. More recently, a court ruling has made it clear that an attempt by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to extend the lease period for Church lands ended in a scam by Jewish brokers that cost the JNF tens Haifa Wahabi and Nancy ‘Ajram of millions of shekels. who have many fans among young Israeli Arabs Meet some of the protagonists: even referred to them as “a cancer in in nation.” Arab cancer the of “a heart the as them to Sarsour news referred even Ibrahim NFC Sheikh the MK with website, interview an In people. young on influence strong their Islamic the and singers of these against rail movement leaders too, Israel, In provocation. cheap and modesty of lack her as view they to what of because due her attack to vest, threats movement Islamic bullet-proof a performed she wearing Recently, States Europe. United and the in audiences before appears also advertisements, Coca-Cola in character leading a as countries Arab in who Nancy, also broad publicity enjoys ‘Ajram. Nancy 24-year-old competitor, strongest her is Haifa alongside Starring Website. “Hamasnah” the of list black Singers” Pornographic and “Nude the on place first her earned also style unusual and Records. provocative World in Her of entry Book an Guinness her the brought 200,000 of crowd a at before stadium soccer appearance Qatar the Her thousands. the of in tens numbering audiences, massive beautiful most before appears She world. the in women hundred one one as the of Magazine Time by chosen was Haifa ago, years pop few a Divorced Israeli singer). (an Ninette” “our as Arabs Israeli by young many considered singer, Lebanese 35-year-old a is Wahabi Haifa internet sites featuring stars from Lebanon and Egypt. watch Arab satellite television, and surf culture and leisure Western culture. Arab- They of speak capital Arabic the peppered with considered Hebrew, Beirut, to turning are Many young people, born into contemporary Israeli reality, Lebanon andotherArab countries Import of cultural iconsfrom Direction –northwest: In the streetstheNazarethInof other andcities, can one east –butmyculturalheart isintheWest.” we will continue to be in the dual situation of “I’m in the of a solution for the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Until then, question the in resides culture Arab of development the of topic the even opinion, their In culture. Arab regional that we (the Arab society in Israel) are part and parcel of fact that accept not do many Israel, in and – us ‘digest’ to how know don’t still they world, Arab the In no. is answer the society, Israeli-Arab of state the given that believe experts Arab-Israeli appear? Fairouz of ‘version’ local a Could Fairouz. singer Lebanese by concert live a made a pilgrimage to Amman to fulfill a dream – to hear 75, through 15 ages Arabs, Druze and Muslim Christian, mainly of regional Arab culture. Of late, more than 3,000 these phenomenawithgreaterprecision. among Arab youth, and it will trends then be the possible measure to consider to attempt will population the Jewish within surveys such conducts that the of organizations one that hope might One youth. Arab among balanced. No comprehensive survey has been conducted are forces the that appears it present, At again. yet up comes – States Gulf the and Lebanon of out come that driving or those addicted to the Western songs and music while verses Koranic to listen who people young the of culture, expressed through appearance and dress. unique mix of traditional culture with features of western traditional-religious backgrounds.from youth to down Sometimes,trickles also Egypt, orthis Lebanon leadsas to a regard to the image and behavior of Arab women. modernizationcriteriasettingregardnewwithtois and magazine is actively developing positive public opinion of withthis trend. published by the marine-style haircuts. and Women’s jeans magazines, - such fashion as American-Israeli of influence the see the young people wearing revealing clothes, reflecting What’s next? s o Aa scey n Israel? in society Arab for As The question regarding which side will prevail - that The trend to find cultural icons in Arab statesculturalArabsuchfindiconsin trendto The Lailac a-Sinara deals with formerly-taboo subjects. The newspaper, are a good example This is a function a is This Lailac , Local government preference given to clans’ interests over the interests of the general public. There are 62 Arab local authorities, among them 11 cities, In any case, immediate improvement of the situation 49 local councils, and two regional councils. An additional and reinforcement of the status of the local councils is five villages belong to a Jewish regional council (Gilboa). necessary. The heads of the local Arab councils have The local authority is an important site for the repeatedly warned that government decisions with regard development and advancement of local and national to the Arab local councils are not implemented. The Arabs, leadership, and this is even more true for Arab society, they contend, are the primary victims of the culture of which is characterized by its lack of influence over the disrespect for decisions that has spread through the Israeli state’s political centers or over the determination of what government over the past few years. is the „general good.“ For many, the local authority serves In February 2006, the Israeli High Court of Justice as a means to achieve immediate control over their lives. accepted a petition submitted by Adallah and determined In addition, the local Arab authorities are the primary that the government must publish clear criteria for employers of academics and well-educated Arabs, who, determining areas of national preference with regard to as is well-known, find it difficult to find professional education. In her decision, Justice Beinisch wrote, „the positions in the national public service. division of communities into areas of national priority Results of elections for local councils over the is carried out without taking the Arab population past few years point to the increased strength of clans into account, which affects the principle of equality and large families, in parallel to their loss of economic disproportionately.“ The president of the court at that influence. Most of the voters in local elections gave their time, Justice Aharon Barak, added that „the geographical votes to the independent parties that, in reality, represent delineations have led to a situation in which only four the interests of clans, families, and ethnic groups. small villages have been accorded the status of an area Despite the Arab residents’ great dependence on of national priority with regard to educational benefits, their local councils, the status of these councils has been as compared to some 500 Jewish settlements.“ About half destabilized and, in many places, it has already collapsed a year ago, the state was granted a one-year extension or is about to collapse. In analyzing the reasons behind the to implement the court’s decision. Some view this as yet situation, both the establishment and the local population another proof of the endless cycles of delay in putting an have been severely critical. end to the ongoing discrimination. The Arab local authorities comprise 95% of the One of the most crucial issues is the integration of Arab authorities ranked in the three lowest socio-economic local councils into joint industrial areas and division of the groupings and their budgets are characterized by the resulting profits. Suggestions to overcome these obstacles low levels of taxation and self-income. They suffer focus on provision of support and making government aid from a clear lack of industrial areas. In the more conditional upon inclusion of Arab councils in those areas established authorities in the Jewish sector, some 70% in which it is reasonable to integrate them. of income comes from municipal taxes on industrial and commercial areas, as contrasted with 12 percent in What’s next? Arab communities. On the other hand, the establishment The severe crisis in the local councils has been has cautioned against the low-levels of municipal tax going on for a long time. In the Arab authorities, the collection from the residents of the Arab settlements situation is several times worse. To date, the Ministry of and the inability of local councils to maximize their the Interior has appointed committees to supersede the rights. Arab academics have drawn attention to the local councils in 11 communities. There is an immediate need, as Shawqi Khatib, Chairman of the National authorities by promoting and adopting proper, sophisticated Committee for Heads of Arab Local Authorities, testifies, methods of administration and reducing the interdependence for a structural, and not merely a cosmetic, change. between merely titular political appointments and Here, too, the state must promote a concentrated, positions that involve actual administrative and executive targeted effort to advance the local Arab governments, functions. Of late, authority heads have been threatening through processes involving legislation and regulations collective resignation due to fiscal crises. Many of them as well as rectification of past budgetary wrongs. To have submitted letters of resignation to the offices of the this, one must add Arab academics’ demands to reduce Committee for Heads of Arab Local Councils. There is no the “politicization” and „clan-based operations“ in the solution in sight here, either.

Nazareth Mayor Ramez Jureisi, civil Ministry committed itself has been engineer, 56, married and father of delayed; the Interior Ministry blames the three. Finance Ministry for this. About a year During his studies at the Technion, ago, the mayor went on a hunger strike, Jureisi was among the founders of the which was only partially helpful. Arab Students Committee at the Technion and one of the founders of the National What does Ramez Jureisi think about the Committee of Arab Students. future? In 1978, he was elected to the Nazareth Partnership – The key word for positive City Council on behalf of the Nazareth development in Jewish-Arab relations is Democratic Front, as the representative ‘partnership.’ The concept of integration of the Association of Academics in that is not based on true partnership is Nazareth. He served as acting mayor of completely devoid of meaning. Meet some of the protagonists: the city following the death of Tawfiq The crisis – The ongoing discrimination, Ziyad in 1994. That year he was elected proliferation of baseless slogans mayor, a post he holds to this day. and failure to uphold promises and Among his other public positions: agreements have only deepened the crisis Vice Chairman of the Committee of of faith between the Arab citizens and Heads of Arab Local Authorities and the state. The heads of the state would do Board Member of the Center for Local well to internalize the message – silence Government; member of the Hadash is better than slogans. party secretariat; member of the Budget The deep crisis in the local government Comparison Committee of the Arab Local inArab communities (if such government Authorities (appointed by the Director still exists) only deepens the crisis of of the Interior Ministry); and member trust. To this one must add the political of the secretariat of the Higher Arab incitement against the Arab population, Monitoring Committee for the Arab which does not come solely from the Population. right side of the political map. Recently, under his leadership, the And the future? We are in crisis with municipality completed the intensive regard to the hoped-for partnership. Ramez Jureisi recovery plan required by the Interior Without a solution to this crisis, there Photo: Genie Anchu-Gush Ministry, which included an increase can be no partnership. And if there’s no in property tax collection. To date, the partnership… transfer of funds to which the Interior (interview conducted expressly for this article) The politicians during the last elections reveals the extent of distrust of the Arab Mks: “They have turned into T.V. personalities, media Israelis love to disbelieve their politicians. The most recent commentators, and thus, we do not need this leadership, Democracy Index, based on a study by the Israel Democracy which has bought its status through money.“ Institute, indicates that only one third of the Israeli public On the Arab streets, criticism is common, even has faith in the Knesset. The number that places its faith though Arab Knesset members are among the most in the political parties is even smaller. It would appear that, active. Their names are often at the top of the list of “at least” on this point, equality between Jewish and Arab those submitting parliamentary questions and proposing Knesset members has been achieved. items for the agenda. In all likelihood, the criticism stems A circular distributed among the Arab population from the fact that despite their extensive activity, the

What, then, is the role of the Arab politicians Azmi Bishara (51), lives in exile after on the power map of being sought for questioning by the Arab society? Arab police in connection with an alleged scholars and public collusion with the enemy. His future is not clear, but his presence and influence figures usually offer on the Arab political field in Israel are two responses. One still felt. His sudden departure has left is that the Knesset the fate of the Balad party (the National members are the Democratic Alliance), which he founded “foreign ministers” in 1995, unclear. In the last elections, of Arab society in the party ran on a slogan that included Israel, to both the Bishara in the style of “Balad is Bishara Israeli public and and Bishara is Balad.” The party received the Arab nation Meet some of the protagonists: three mandates. Many think that and, as such, they without Bishara, it will be difficult to are most influential market Balad. Of late, there has been in determining the much talk that Balad might run with its nature of the dialogue ideological rival and former political and discourse with the partner the Hadash party. (Balad first Jewish majority. And entered the Knesset on a joint list with Hadash.) There will probably be other the second response surprising alliances. is that despite the Bishara’s main influence is on the national criticism, the Arab political discourse in Arab society. Bishara public has faith in the did much to advance theoretical, political democratic process. and public discussion of the question of the state’s image through two demands – a “state for all its citizens” and cultural autonomy for Israel’s Arabs. Azmi Bishara: “Present, and yet absent” Photo: Courtesy of Pasal al-Malcak In his approach, the Arab population is the population of children that was torn apart as a result of the Nakba, Arab Knesset members are excluded from the centers Israel, to both the Israeli public and the Arab nation and, as of decision-making. They are not wanted – not in the such, they are most influential in determining the nature of coalition and, in recent years, not even in the opposition. the dialogue and discourse with the Jewish majority. And As MK Ahmad Tibi says, “They don’t even grant us the the second response is that despite the criticism, the Arab privilege of saying no.” This accurately reflects the public has faith in the democratic process. Dr. Eli Reches marginalization of the Arab Knesset members. of Tel Aviv University views this as evidence of a process What, then, is the role of the Arab politicians on that has been come to be known as “Israelization,” which the power map of Arab society? Arab scholars and public is primarily a feeling of confidence that it is appropriate figures usually offer two responses. One is that the Knesset and worthwhile to try to affect decision-making processes members are the “foreign ministers” of Arab society in in the state, despite recognition of the limitations of Arab parliamentary representatives’ power. Arab Knesset members are quoted repeatedly in the the “catastrophe” of 1948, for which Hebrew-language media, usually for behavior viewed as there can be no fitting compensation. “traitorous.” A deeper look into their words reveals the three What can be achieved is a historical political compromise with the majority principles with which every Arab Knesset member agrees: in Israel, which is mainly a majority Israel must withdraw to the 1949 armistice lines and of immigrants. The compromise will create a Palestinian state whose capital is East Jerusalem be based on the demand for absolute in the evacuated area; all of the Arab MKs are critical of equality. In his view, such equality Israeli democracy and its discriminatory and inequitable will never be achieved if Israel remains treatment of the Arab minority; and all of them agree to the the state of the entire Jewish people, continued existence of the state of Israel while engaging worldwide. The only possible solution in a theoretical debate among themselves regarding the is to turn Israel into a state for all extent of the Jewish character of the state. its citizens, rather than a ‘Jewish Professor Sammy Smooha describes a theoretical democratic state.’ In other words, the axis along which the Ra’am party (of which the southern national identity will be political and Islamic movement is also a member) is the more “Israeli;” not religious, and the state’s values will Balad, founded by Azmi Bishara, which supports a state be solely democratic, with no religious for all of its citizens, is on the opposite end; and Hadash, influence. which has had both Jewish and Arab members over the In order to preserve the Arab population’s Palestinian cultural uniqueness in a years, is in the center. state of all its citizens, they must have In an interview with the Makor Rishon Hebrew cultural autonomy. To this end, he newspaper, MK Mohammad Barakeh (52), who served demands elections for the Monitoring as Deputy Chairman of the last Knesset, said that while Committee (see above), establishment a year ago, he would have wanted the State of Israel, of research and cultural institutions, following the formation of the State of Palestine, to maintaining educational independence become a bi-national state, as a more practical goal he “so that the Arabs teach the Arabs,” and aspires to complete equality between Jews and Arabs and authority in planning and distribution to provision of cultural autonomy for Arabs. Israel, in his of land resources. view, will continue to be Jewish and democratic, a topic These principles have generated great that will be raised again for deeper discussion after the opposition among the Jewish population attainment of full equality. and it appears that the debate, sketched- out by Bishara in rough strokes, has only begun. At the last Hadash convention, perhaps as a result The Arab MK’s summarily reject accusations regarding of the stormy discussion regarding the Israel’s demand their ostensible over-involvement in Palestinian and Arab that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, national questions and purported neglect of the needs of MK Barakeh emphasized a different aspect. According to the public that they represent. Over and again, they say: him: Hadash does not accept the claim that a state that We deal mostly with these issues, but this doesn’t interest constitutes the fulfillment of the self-definition of any the media. They are interested in other things, and, as a people must be a state founded on a racial basis. “The result, we are also given a podium – otherwise, who would state’s Judaism is a sword at our throat and at the throats listen to us. “Who paid attention to the extensive activity of the Palestinian people,” he said in his speech. It is likely of the Committee for the Protection of the Environment? that we are witnessing a change in the direction in which Who even knows that I was an active member in it?” says Hadash is heading, and in all likelihood, this is additional MK Tibi. “But when I said this and that – when I expressed testimony to the ambivalence that has absorbed the my own opinions and beliefs - everybody heard that.” party ever since the chairman of Maki, Meir Vilner, who subsequently became secretary general of Hadash, signed What’s next? the Declaration of Independence. Despite the low voter turnout rate in the recent In the same interview, MK Hana Sweid, Barakeh’s elections, the number of Arab Knesset members has contemporary and member of the same party, who holds grown from eleven to twelve. Yet when the results of a doctorate in urban planning and is a former member the last elections were made public, the Arab population of the National Council for Planning and Construction, responded with frustration and confusion, rather than chimed in along the same pragmatic line: “In the Middle with a sense of victory. This is the claim made by Dr. East, one talks not about what one prefers, but about Eli Reches in a recently published collection of articles realpolitik. I would want for all Middle Eastern countries entitled, “The Arab Minority in Israel and the Elections for to be a single country, living in pastoral peace, but I think the 17th Knesset.” The achievement was viewed as a bonus in a realistic way. „ due to neglect, in light of the overall low rate of voter MK Ahmad Tibi (49), who ran for the last elections turnout, as a result of which the Arab parties were able to on the Ra’am and southern Islamic movement ticket, exceed the minimum number required for a parliamentary opposes the state for all its citizens propounded by his seat with great ease. Reches claims that if the present political rival Azmi Bishara. He is a proponent of a state situation continues, i.e. if the division and internal splits for all its nations, which recognizes both the individual that characterize Arab politics are not repaired, and if the and collective rights of the Arab minority. According to dream of a united list will once again come to an end, his approach, a state for all its citizens is not committed coupled with the inability of the Arab MKs to change to the collective and national rights of the minorities social and economic reality, then the Knesset will become that live there. increasingly less attractive for Israeli Arabs. In an interview for vol. 9 of Du-Et, MK Tibi expressed On the other hand, the Zionist parties will probably adamant opposition to the establishment of a separate become a primary address for the Israeli Arabs. Are MK parliament for Israel’s Arabs: “I am among those most Nadia Hilu (who ran against a Jewish woman candidate staunchly opposed to separatism and disengagement from for the slot reserved for women in the Labor Party and the state. Within the framework of the state, I demand full won), and Minister of Culture, Science and Sports Raleb civil participation and, within in this framework, I want Majadaleh (who served as Chairman of the Knesset Interior to strengthen the democratic institutions within the Arab Committee and today serves as the first Arab Muslim minority, for example, the Monitoring Committee.” minister), a sign of things to come? In the opinion of Dr. Reches, considering the conduct of the Zionist parties until Academics now, this possibility is unlikely. In his opinion, there is also and Intellectual Leadership the additional possibility that alternative frameworks such as the Monitoring Committee and the civil society NGOs Recently-conducted studies show that the importance will fill the vacuum that is likely to be created. that Arab academics attribute to professional success is Their primary similar to the ranking that characterized Japan at the contribution has been beginning of the 1980s and China at the end of 2000. expressed through their What is common to Japanese and Chinese academics strong involvement in and Israeli Arabs is the need to establish themselves the formulation of the and to progress. But this is where the similarity ends. future vision and in The numbers speak for themselves. According to data the lively debate that provided by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, only a has ensued with their miniscule percentage of Arab academics are employed Jewish colleagues. in industry, engineering, architecture or administrative According to their jobs in business fields. claim, the vision is In academic institutions, the situation is worse. already having an effect on the Arab Head of the Department of Government What does Dr. As’ad Ghanem think about parties and on the and Political Thought at Haifa the future? hope that in light of University. Formerly joint executive Acceptance and not separatism – The very the vision, they will director of Sikkui, an N.G.O. in which fact that this heated, intense discussion succeed in sketching a Jews and Arabs work together to achieve came to the fore in the Arab vision is equality, a position he left in order to testimony to the Arabs’ desire to propose joint basis for running establish the Ibn Khaldun Center, named a future direction in order to improve the for the Knesset on a after the 15th-century Arab historian situation of Israel’s Arab citizens. This is single list. who made great innovations in the study a trend towards acceptance rather than of the social sciences. A polished lecturer separatism. In contrast to the opinion who appears in many conferences and that the strong wording points to an public events. erosion of the desire to integrate, it is an Among the leaders of the demand to expression of the desire to ‘be a part of.’ Meet some of the protagonists: establish a higher Arab organization The crisis in Arab society arises from “Hai Awtaniya” and the transformation the lack of leadership, while in other of the monitoring committee into an parameters, there has been tremendous elected and representative organization positive development since the 1950s. of the Arab minority. He joined the The longer the Arab leadership call for a boycott of the most recent ignores the situation of the Arabs, the general elections. Considered to be one less relevant it becomes. This finds of the harshest critics of Arab Knesset expression in the small number of voters members, claiming that they ignore the that participate in the elections. problems of the Arab public and thus The solution must be elections for a monitoring committee. Then there will Dr. As’ad Ghanem be authentic leadership and the clan Photo: Flash cannot represent them. The solution, in base will decrease. his view, is to be found in the formation (interview conducted expressly for this article) of a supreme representative body for the Arabs in Israel. According to a recent study by the Van Leer Institute, only lecturers. Heading the organization is Prof. Faisal ‘Azaizah, 1.2% of 6,000 lecturers in Israeli universities are Arabs. a member of the Council for Higher Education. ‘Azaizah But it is not only problems of employment that states that the organization is not a professional guild preoccupy the Arab academics in Israel. In the future whose goal is to provide assistance to its members, but vision, in the chapter dedicated to Palestinian Arab culture rather a professional-social association for increasing in Israel, the authors write: “…It is a fact that here, within awareness among the Arabs regarding academic studies, Israel, there is a Palestinian Arab cultural movement. with the goal of helping Arab students expand the options A movement that is the natural continuation – under at their disposal. unnatural circumstances – of the Palestinian culture that took shape during the beginning of the 20th century. What’s next? On the other hand, we live in the shadow of the Of late, some have claimed that academics can be Jewish state, speak Hebrew, consume Hebrew culture, viewed as a group of leaders that constitute an alternative meet with Jewish intellectuals, hear them and speak to the political leadership. It is too early to determine to them, translate them into Arabic, and write in their whether this is valid or is rather merely a fantasy language. In other words, we have become a part of the that bears witness to the deep desire for a solution to culture of the other. Like a Palestinian author who lives the problem of splitting and the proliferation of Arab in France and contributes to French society.” This duality, parties. The writing of the vision, to which the academics according to the authors, is intensified by the fact that contributed a great deal, is a first stage that indeed made “the difference between us and others who answer to the waves and received broad publicity. Its authors emphasize definition of dual cultural belonging is that we belong that this is the first stage in the negotiations with the to the cultures of both sides of the conflict, ours and Jewish public. In their opinion, the vision is a manifesto theirs.” that accurately expresses the desires and aspirations of Within this problematic duality, the degree of the Arab public in Israel. It is, in their view, the basis for the influence borne by the academics – mainly faculty “historical compromise.” The Jewish public has responded members in the universities – on the internal Arab mainly with aversion and even anger. At the same time, discourse and primarily on the Jewish-Arab discourse there is no doubt that the process has begun. - has increased of late. The demand for “collective rights,” which until Their primary contribution has been expressed now has been rejected out of hand by many Jews, has through their strong involvement in the formulation of recently also been voiced by the Chairman of the Knesset the future vision and in the lively debate that has ensued Constitution and Law Committee from the Kadima party, with their Jewish colleagues. According to their claim, the Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson. The writing and publication vision is already having an effect on the Arab parties and of the vision has proved that the Arabs are no longer a on the hope that in light of the vision, they will succeed minority community accepting help from the majority in sketching a joint basis for running for the Knesset on community’s do-gooders, but rather a minority community a single list. that holds it own, expresses its desires in its own voice, Internally, academics have been increasingly critical and seeks to shape its future together. As noted, the of social institutions and processes and of the local Arab academics, play an essential role in this process. What government and the way it is run (see above). comes next is of course dependent on the extent to In order to increase the number of lecturers and which they persist and that all of the influenial forces students in the universities, a number of Arab lecturers in Arab society – and especially the political leadership have recently created a non-profit association of Arab – collaborate together. However, the question of Arab civil society’s financial future Civil Society Organizations is not the only In recent years, dozens of national organizations and relevant issue. The hundreds of local organizations dealing with a range of question whether the topics such as religion, education, culture, women, and organizations will provision of social services have been established. be able to cooperate The Second Lebanon War, in which many Arab and to overcome residents from northern Israel were also adversely their disagreements affected, proved the need for diverse Arab civil activism. and ideological and In recent years, organizations such as the Jewish Agency, political differences the Joint Distribution Committee, and the New Israel Fund also has an important have begun directly supporting such activities. place in the In the legal realm, Adalah („Justice“) - the Legal Center construction of Arab for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Musawa („Equality“) for civil society. Arab civil rights in Israel, and theAssociation for Civil

Resident of Haifa, 47, founded the Musawa Center for Arabs Rights in Israel in 1997 and is the organization’s director. Member of the board of directors of the Monitoring Committee and on the board of additional social organizations. At the end of the 1980s, served as Chairman of the Arab Students Committee at Haifa University and Chairman of the National Arab Students Union. Worked as a facilitator of Jewish -Arab groups at Givat Haviva, as a journalist for the Haaretz chain of Meet some of the protagonists: local (Hebrew-language) newspapers and as a researcher for the investivagive television program Uvdah on Channel 2. He applies his media experience to his present work, and, indeed, Musawa is prominently portrayed in the media. The Musawa Center engages in a number of projects, including a project for changing government policy and the legal status of the Arabs, a project for the development of personnel in local NGOs and authorities, and a research and Jaafar Farah information department on social and Photo: Flash economic topics. As the 2008 budget was determined, the organization released a demand for the allocation of NIS 3.8 Cont. Rights in Israel, which employs several Arab attorneys, are critical of this extensive activity . In the chapter that among the most prominent organizations dealing with the deals with community and political activity, they write: relationships between the Jewish majority and the Arab “These activities take place without coordination and minority and between the state and its Arab citizens. with no joint strategic development, without economic In the field of education, the main organization is planning that takes advantage of economic strong points the Monitoring Committee for Arab Educational Matters, and deals with weak points in Arab society in the fields and in the realm of social research, there is Mada al- of development. In general, Palestinian Arab society lacks Carmel - The Arab Center for Applied Social Research, a strategic vision for development and coordination of the Galil Association, the Emil Touma Institue, and the organizational activity in all its forms.” Ibn Khaldun Center. Indeed, the authors of the vision suggest an operative In the area of planning, one finds the Arab Center plan that includes the establishment of mechanisms for Alternative Planning, the Arab Association, the for coordination of civil activity while preserving the Organization for the Uprooted, Adalah, Musawa and uniqueness and projects of the different organizations. the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) are the In addition, the authors of the vision suggest coordination organizations that are the most actively working with between the political activities of the political parties and the United Nations and the European Union. the civil activities of the organizations. The authors of the future vision document are The authors of the future vision also point out

billion to close gaps in infrastructure coexistence. It is the Arabs who suffer, and poverty in the Arab sector. and therefore, it is the Arabs who must take the initiative. What does Jaafar Farah think about the The role of civil society is to deal with future? the axes of pressure in the relations Empowerment – two patterns of between Jews and Arabs. Most of the leadership stand out in Arab society: organizations make do with working a. the position of the oppressed, outwards, vis-à-vis Jewish society. The controlled and discriminated against, internal axis is not easy and is also asking for favors – ‘give me’ impacted by what transpires between b. The trend towards liberation from Jews and Arabs. For example: the tragedy Jewish oppression, coupled with the in Kfar Tavor last Yom Kippur occured desire to liberate the Jews from their after a long period during which the image as oppressors. The future is Arab public had suffered from the wild dependent upon the ability to empower behavior of youths, during which the Arab society, not through isolation into police declined to intervene. They were a bubble,“ but rather through breaking moved to intervene only after a Jewish out of the closure.“ girl was run over, although the Arabs The old hummus dialogue, i.e. the idea had been hoping for that intervention that breaking bread together will help for a long time. solve conflict, has failed, and today, in Separatism – integration? The light of these conclusions, Arab society tremendous preoccupation with this is attempting to develop a strategy for question does not reflect the entire discourse to change reality. The Jewish picture. Changing reality while public has no interest in promoting joint understanding the overall picture is life with Arabs. The Jewish majority the joint task of Jews and Arabs. can live its day-to-day life without (interview conducted expressly for this article) a lack of two types of organizations – those that work However, the question of Arab civil society’s financial against social ills such as domestic violence and violence future is not the only relevant issue. The question against women, and those whose work focuses on whether the organizations will be able to cooperate and internal monitoring, such as, for example, organizations to overcome their disagreements and ideological and that work against corruption, and those that attempt to political differences also has an important place in the establish mechanisms for the resolution of differences construction of Arab civil society. and conflicts. At the foundation of this statement is an additional critique, often heard from the Arab social activists, that civil society efforts are not well-known to Women and women’s organizations the Arab public. The authors of the future vision are openly critical of the What’s next? status of women in their society: “The patriarchal nature There are many organizations in Israel working is still the dominant characteristic in the Arab Palestinian for social change, accountability and rectification of family, even among families in which both members of governmental dysfunctions. At the same time, the civil the couple are educated. The inferiority of the woman is society organizations in Israel relieve the government the direct result of the patriarchal order.” – which is privatizing many of its services – of its And indeed, women in Arab society in Israel must responsibility. Some refer to this activity as ‘Government maneuver and forge a path between religion, tradition, B.’ Some time ago, the Prime Minister’s office initiated patriarchal customs and conservatism on one hand, and a process of consultation with large civil society modernization, education, and openness to communication organizations in an attempt to define each side’s realm with external society, on the other. The increasing of responsibility for the benefit of the citizenry. consciousness of Arab women of their low social status Arab civil society in Israel seeks to build itself up within and the obstacles blocking their way to “male” political the array of roles that civil society has taken on in Israel activity have led them to bring their struggle to the and around the world. In this context, attempts by some streets and to establish womens organizations that deal NGOs to represent an alternative to government policy in practically with all aspects of civil socity. key areas are particularly striking. The initiative of the Arab Joining a women’s organization is entering a public Education Monitoring Committee to formulate alternative sphere that is considered legitimate and less threatening, educational goals for Arab education and the initiative to since it does not require contact with men and the activity present an alternative list to the100 basic terms adopted by is usually limited to the local region and to topics that the Education Ministry are prominent examples. pertain ostensibly to women only. All of this activity requires tremendous funds, There are dozens of women’s NGOs and organizations which for the most part come from international sources. in Arab civil society in Israel. A large number of them are Overall, the economic fragility of civil society hinders its actively feminist and focus on promoting the status of effectiveness, and this is even more so for organizations women and their rights and the separation of religion of Arab civil society, which have been excluded from and state; to a certain extent, they are hostile to the government funding. To date, Arab society has not trend of increasing religiosity. At the same time, there developed parallel sources of funding. The authors of the are organizations for religious women, some independent future vision also point this out, proposing to “establish a and some under the auspices of both factions of the supportive social backbone and a cohesivie society with a Islamic movement and they attend to the preservation commitment to giving.“ of family values and Islamic tradition, charity, education, welfare activity, and study of the Koran. A new form of involvement is developing, based on religious sources and theology, which has been defined by scholars as “fundamentalist feminism.” Women took on a relatively prominent role in the formulation of the future vision. Eight of the forty authors were women. The document explicity calls for enhancing the status of woman by encouraging or requiring the There are dozens of The first women to become part of The women’s NGOs and Supreme Arab Monitoring Committee organizations in Arab in Israel. A 40-year-old resident of civil society in Israel. Nazareth and mother of two girls, she A large number of began her public career during her them are actively studies in the 1980s at Haifa University, feminist and focus where she served as secretary of the Arab on promoting the Students Union. She ran for a Knesset status of women and seat on the Hadash ticket in the recent their rights and the elections, but withdrew her candidacy at separation of religion the last minute. and state; to a certain Has served since 1994 as the director of extent, they are “Women against Violence,” which she Meet some of the protagonists: founded along with other women. The hostile to the trend of organization established a help center increasing religiosity. and shelter for sexually abused women, the first of its kind in the Arab world. In 1995, she was among the founders of the “Action Committee for Equality in Marriage Law in Arab Society in Israel,” which among other things worked for an amendment to the Family Courts Law to include the Arab population and enable women to chose between secular courts and the religious Sharia courts when legal recourse was necessary. This generated tension within Arab society and led ultimately to the amendment of the law. Approximately one year ago the Committee launched the first campaign against the marriage of girl-children, a first for the Arab sector. Aida Toma-Suleiman Photo: Courtesy of Women Against Violence Toma-Suleiman is also very active at the international level. She serves as the secretary of the “Union of Mediterranean establishment of units for the status of women in all Jewish organizations, are making an effort to increase institutions, especially within the Monitoring Committee the number of Arab women who participate in the and on the local councils; encouraging women to run workforce and contribute to the family income; this is for local office; applying pressure on the political parties viewed as an important means to close social gaps and to ensure appropriate proportional representation for ameliorate poverty. women, and more. The Arab Center for Support of Victims of Sexual Special emphasis has been placed on women’s Abuse reports a dramatic increase in reports of rape and employment and numerous civil organizations, including sexual assault against women in the Arab sector. Increasing numbers of women are “washing their dirty laundry in Women” and is among the founders of public.” According to Linda Kolar, director of the center, the International Women’s Commission the reason for this is, among other things, the wide publicity for a Just Peace between Israel and that the “Katzav” and “Ramon” affairs received. Palestine, which seeks to relate also to the gender aspect of the peace process. What’s next? What does Aida Toma-Suleiman think There is a consensus regarding the need for a change about the future? in the status of women among all of the women’s Hopelessness – it’s unavoidable not to organizations (the religious-traditional and the non- reach a solution. The situation today religious feminists), but the nature of the change and does not leave much room for optimism. manner in which the various struggles are conducted Everyone predicts a rise in alienation and often collide. The answers to the question, which forces racism on the part of the Jewish majority prevail, will determine the future character of Arab society, towards the Arab minority. The prevailing which is currently still in formation. By the time of the political discourse casts a doubt upon next elections, we will be able to know whether these the reliability of the Arab population. struggles have born fruit and whether the Arab parties This discourse serves political goals by have offered women realistic places on the party lists. preserving the status quo. The success of the social projects and the increase All of this leads to a feeling of hopelessness in the number of working women and women who among many Arab citizens. contribute to the family income has an important role On the other hand, it is inconceivable not to reach a real solution. Israel will need in the advancement of economic status of Arab society; to solve the problem with the Palestinian at the same time, there is an urgent need for broader people, which will also have ramifications government activity in this area. on Jewish-Arab relations in the state. And then, the entire discourse will change to the direction of joint forces by those who The Clans want to lead to a better direction between Jews and Arabs. While composing the future vision, the authors conducted No to integration – rather, shared a study that revealed that the clan, which in the past directions. was a powerful institution in Arab social culture, has No to integration of the minority within the preserved its essence but changed its traditional status majority, rather an attempt to find common and function. Today, its main strength is in the realm of more paths that will lead to an improvement local government. In local elections, primaries are held in the situation, to the creation of a better, more democratic reality, including social and national aspects. for the selection of a clan candidate. In no small number of local authorities, representatives of the various clans are in power. Competing clans in the Arab communities wage war against each other, especially in the triangle area. At the same time, the clan has greatly declined in status in all that relates to the individual and his life. The place of the clan in this realm has been replaced by the nuclear family. Where will Arab society What’s next? be in a few years? Today, the main contentions voiced against the clan as an “institution” relate to its influence on local What will be its government. The critics claim that the “clan ruling power” inhibits professional and proper administration influence on the Israeli by the authorities. The need to take care the interests of economy? clan members often supersedes the general need. Many individuals in Arab society, espcially academics, also In the future, will Arabs oppose the phenomenon of clan „voting contractors,“ who work mainly within the Zionist party centers. be listed by the media as The authors of the future vision make it clear in their influential? vision that “there are social questions, such as clan and family zealousness, and the exploitation of the parties for this zealousness, which cannot be addressed and rectified by institutional reform. The antidote and rectification will be a direct result of a change in conception, positions and behaviors of the individuals.” On this point as well, it seems that in the future we will know which forces prevailed - those that sought progress and a change in positions at the individual and citizen level or those conservative forces that prefer to preserve the accepted and traditional power structures. We asked this at the beginning. By now, at the end, it should be clear what the “ a complex answer” means, and that it is necessary to go back and review the power map in order to understand to what extent it is not merely a cliché and not solely because all of our futures depend on the answers to this question. Arab society constitutes 20% of the population that affects the Israeli economy. Arab society is dynamic, developing and seeking its way. The crisis between Jewish society and Arab society is alive and kicking and has an influence to bear. Recently, the heads of the Monitoring Committee announced that Israel’s 60th anniversary should not be celebrated in the Arab communities, based on the claim that “the state continues to relate to us as a problem, and not as citizens.” On the opposing end, the results of the annual survey of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel reveal severe racism among the Jewish public against the Arab sector in Israel: 75% will not live in the same building as Arabs. Sixty-one percent will not allow Arabs into their homes and more than half of the public supports segregation in places of entertainment. More than anything else, the map of forces and trends affecting Arab society tells us that the future is still in our hands. If the state and its institutions will be wise enough to change their hard drive and begin treating the Arabs seriously as equal citizens, if the topic of equality will become a real topic on the future road map of the state, if Arab society is wise enough to build itself up, including a deep look at the severe social failures that have been pointed out, inter alia, by the authors of the future vision, if both sides will engage in a deep, sincere and painful discussion about the shared future of the two societies – it is likely that we will be able to reach the 70 year anniversary of the state with a complex but unequivocal and much more optimistic response. Insh’allah. ≤∞∞µ†Û¯ÂÁ††††∏†ßÒÓ†ÔÂÈÏÈ‚††††ÌÈ·¯Ú†ÌȄ‰Ȇ˙¯Â˘˜˙†È˘‡†Ô„ÚÂÓ†≠†È·¯Ú†È„‰ȆÔÂ˙ÈÚ

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