عربي |  עברית

Adalah Staff and Board

Staff Profiles

TOP

LEGAL DEPARTMENT: STAFF ATTORNEYS

Suhad Bishara, Advocate | Coordinator of the Legal Department
Specializes in land and planning rights, working with Adalah since 2001. Received an L.L.B. in Law from the Faculty of Law, Hebrew University in 1993, and an L.L.M. in Public Service Law from New York University School of Law (USA) in 2001. Former partner in private law firm specializing in urban planning from 1996-2001, and served as a legal consultant to the Association of Forty, the Arab Steering Committee for Urban Planning in the Galilee Society (RA), and the Hotline for Battered Women. Former Chairperson of the Committee for Educational Guidance for Arab Students and a founder of Kayan – A Feminist Organization.

Orna Kohn, Advocate | Senior Attorney
Working with Adalah since 1998 and served as Acting General Director in 2005-2006. Received an L.L.B. in Law from Haifa University in 1995, and is a Candidate for an L.L.M in International Human Rights from the Transitional Justice Institute at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, expected 2008. Worked from 1995-1998 with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, as a stagiaire and then as a staff attorney in charge of West Bank and Gaza cases. Worked as an Assistant Instructor at the Faculty of Law of Haifa University for a year-long course on Constitutional and Administrative Law.

Morad El-Sana, Advocate | Director Of The Naqab Office
Working with Adalah since 2001. Received an L.L.B. from Tel Aviv University in 1997, and an M.S.W. (Masters of Social Work / Specialization in Community Organizing, Development, and Social Advocacy) from McGill University (Canada) in 2002. Received an LL.M. from the International Legal Studies Program (ILSP) with a specialization in International Human Rights Advocacy from American University, Washington College of Law (USA) in 2007. Recipient of the New Israel Fund fellowship, 2006-2008. Headed a private law office in Beer el-Sabe, and worked as a legal advisor to the Genesis Organization and to the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages in the Naqab on cases of home demolition and forced evacuation/removal.

Abeer Baker, Advocate
Working with Adalah since 2000. Received an L.L.B. from Haifa University in 2001 and an award for community activism from the Faculty of Law. Abeer serves as a legal staff member and the coordinator of the Criminal Justice Project at Adalah. In addition to her work in adalah she serves as the Legal Advisor & Instructor of the Prisoners' Rights and Re-Entry Clinic in the Law Faculty of Haifa University. L.L.M. student in Public and International law at Tel-Aviv & North Western University in the United States (2008). Academic instructor for the Social Security course at the Open University in Israel (2007); Assistant instructor, for the Public Law course at Haifa University Hebrew University (2006-2007) and Tel Aviv University for a course on The Legal Status of Arab Minority in Israel (2003-2005). Worked with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) as a human rights lecturer in Arab Schools, and as a project coordinator of the Center for Social Rights, Community Development Association in Acre.

Adel Badeer, Advocate
Received an L.L.B. from Haifa University in 2001 and an award for community activism from the Faculty of Law. Abeer serves as a legal staff member and the coordinator of the Criminal Justice Project at Adalah. In addition to her work in adalah she serves as the Legal Advisor & Instructor of the Prisoners' Rights and Re-Entry Clinic in the Law Faculty of Haifa University. L.L.M. student in Public and International law at Tel-Aviv & North Western University in the United States (2008). Academic instructor for the Social Security course at the Open University in Israel (2007); Assistant instructor, for the Public Law course at Haifa University Hebrew University (2006-2007) and Tel Aviv University for a course on The Legal Status of Arab Minority in Israel (2003-2005). Worked with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) as a human rights lecturer in Arab Schools, and as a project coordinator of the Center for Social Rights, Community Development Association in Acre.

Sawsan Zaher, Advocate
Specializes in social and economic rights, working with Adalah since 2005. Received an L.L.B. in Law from the College of Management, School of Law in 1997, and an L.L.M. in International Legal Studies with a concentration on human rights and gender from the American University, Washington College of Law (USA) in 2004. Former solo practitioner in a private law firm specializing in civil law during 2001-2003. Established and coordinated the legal department for Arab women's rights in Kayan – Feminist Organization during 2004-2005. Currently, a Board member of Kayan and an active member of other human rights organizations.

Nabeel Dakwar, Advocate
Working with Adalah since 2006. Received an L.L.B. in Law from “Ramot Mishpat” School for Law in Tel Aviv University in 1994; Certified Internal Controller from Haifa University in 1998; and is a Candidate for an L.L.M. in Law from the Sorbonne University (Paris), expected 2009. Worked with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA); as a legal consultant for the Fasouta village Municipality; and ran a private law office from 1996-2006.

Fatmeh El-`Ajou, Advocate
Specializes in international humanitarian law, working with Adalah since 2007. Received an L.L.B. in Law from Bar Ilan University and completed her studies for an L.L.M. in International Human Rights Law, Essex University (England) (Recipient of the Chevening Scholarship of the British Council) during 2005-2006. Worked for five years at a private civil-commercial law firm, and for two years with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, as a staff attorney in charge of the protection and promotion of human rights in the OPTs.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT – SUPPORTING STAFF

Hana Hamdan | Urban and Regional Planner
Working with Adalah since 2004. Received an B.A in History of the Middle East from Haifa University in 1989, and an M.Sc in Urban and Regional Planning from the Technion in 2002. Candidate for a Ph.D. in the Department of Geography and Human Environment at Tel Aviv University. Worked in a private office specializing in urban planning from 1998-2001, and as a researcher at the Technion’s Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Center for Urban & Regional Studies and at Ben-Gurion University in 2001-2002.

Salah Muhsin | Field Researcher
Working with Adalah since 2007. Received a B.A. in sociology and anthropology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2005. Worked as a field worker in the Center for Community Advocacy, and worked for four years as the parliamentary assistant of MK Dr. Jamal Zahalqa. A political and social activist in various associations.

Haneen Naamnih
Trainee lawyer in Adalah since March 2008. Received an L.L.B. from University of Haifa. Worked in 2006 as a teaching assistant to a law professor and is currently a member of the human rights and social change legal clinic at the University of Haifa.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Rina Jabareen, Esq. | Co-Founder of Adalah and International Advocacy Director
Received a B.A. in History from New York University (USA) in 1987; and a J.D. (Juris Doctor) in 1991 and an L.L.M. in Advocacy in 2001 from Georgetown University Law Center (USA). Worked for four years as a public defender in New York and Washington, D.C., and as a clinic supervisor for law students with Georgetown’s Criminal Justice Clinic. Worked for five years on resource development and international human rights advocacy with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA), the Galilee Society, and the Working Group on the Status of Palestinian Women in Israel. Schell Fellow, Yale Law School, 2005-2006.

Eva Mousa | Public Relations & Media Director
Received a B.A. and M.A. in Communications and Journalism from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as a B.A. in English Linguistics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ms Mousa has worked for several NGOs in Israel, including I’lam, The Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement in media and public relations coordination positions. She was also the Media Coordinator of Adalah for three years from 2002 to 2004.

Christine Khalil | Media Coordinator
Working with Adalah since 2007. Received a B.A. in media and women’s studies from the Academic College of Emek Yezreel in 2005. Finished studying for an M.A. in political media from the Hebrew University, and is preparing a dissertation on the same subject. Previously worked as a journalist in several Arabic and Hebrew language media outlets and participated in a scholarship from the European Union and the French Embassy at Radio Monte Carlo in Paris. Currently works as an assistant lecturer at the Emek Yezreel Academic College.

Ala Mahajna | Attorney and Legal Researcher
Working with Adalah since 2007. Received an LL.B. with distinction in 2003 and an LL.M. focusing in constitutional law in 2006, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Working in a law office in Jerusalem from 2004 specializing in civil law and torts.

Ran Shapira | Hebrew Editor
Working with Adalah since 2005. Also works as a writer and editor for Ha’aretz newspaper since 1990. Received a B.A. in History and Philosophy, Tel Aviv University in 1998.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Fathiyya Hussein | Administrative Director
Working with Adalah since 2000. Worked as an administrator for ten years with Arab NGOs in Israel and as an executive secretary for a private lawyer specializing in human rights in Jerusalem. Received a certificate in Senior Management in Social Change Organizations from Haifa University, External Studies, Dept. for Business Management in 2003 and has attended several additional courses on NGO management.

Basheer Geraisy | Accountant
Working with Adalah since 1998. Received a certificate in third degree accounting from the Management College in Haifa, certified by the Labor Ministry in 1975, and a diploma in Accounting from the College of Administration in 1979. Completed a course on tax counseling in 1983. Worked for private companies. Also worked for the Income Tax Authority during 1985-1988. Started his work with NGOs in 1995 including the Galilee Society, Adalah and Mada al-Carmel. Has 32 years experience as an accountant.

Christine Nasrallah | Administrative Assistant
Working with Adalah since 2000. Received a certificate in administration and management from the High Institute for Administration and Vocational In-service Training certified by the Labor Ministry in 2002, and a certificate in second degree accounting from the Management College in Haifa certified by the Labor Ministry in 2006. Received an advanced accountancy degree at the Management College and from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel from 2007.

Board of Directors

TOP

Prof. Marwan Dwairy | Chairperson
Received a B.A. in Psychology in 1975 and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Haifa University in 1979, and a D.Sc. in Biology of Behavior from the Technion in 1989. Senior expert in clinical, medical, educational, and developmental psychology, and lecturer in Emek Yezreel Academic College and Oranim Academic College. Founder and Chief Supervisor of Municipal Psychological Services Center, Nazareth; Director and Therapist, Clinic of Psycho-diagnosis and Psychotherapy, Nazareth; and Researcher and Director for detecting and diagnosing gifted children, Ministry of Education. Co-founder of the Arab Mental Health Professionals Association, the Follow-up Committees for Social Affairs and Health Affairs for the Arabs in Israel, and the Jewish-Arab Committee Against Racism. Joined Adalah’s Board in 2002.

Dr. Thabet Abu Ras
Received a B.S.C in Geology and Mineralogy from Ben-Gurion University in 1982, an M.A in Geography from University of Northern Iowa (USA) in 1992, and a Ph.D. in Geography and Regional Development from the University of Arizona (USA) in 1997. Lecturer in the Dept. of Geography and Environmental Development at Ben-Gurion University, with a research focus on local governance, ethnic relations, land and planning, and regional development. Currently works as the Director of "Together": The Arab-Jewish Center for Dialogue and Shared Society. Former director of Shatil’s office in Beer el–Sabe, and of a New Israel Fund-Joint Distribution Committee project for the development of the recently-recognized Bedouin villages in the Naqab. Joined Adalah’s Board in 2005.

Suhad Aga, Advocate
Received an L.L.B. in Law from the Faculty of Law, Haifa University in 1996. Criminal defense lawyer, Public Defender’s Office in Haifa. Prior posts include work with Mossawa: The Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel during 1997-1998, and the Center for Economic and Social Rights in Jerusalem during 1998-2000. Co-founder and current member of Assiwar - The Arab Feminist Movement in Support of Victims of Sexual Assaults. Joined Adalah’s Board in 2004.

Prof. Muhammad M. Haj-Yahia
Received a B.S.W. in 1980 and an M.S.W. in 1985, in social work from the Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. in 1991 in social work from the University of Minnesota (USA). Associate Professor at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare at the Hebrew University. Published extensively on family violence, with a special emphasis on battered women and abused children, community violence, and political violence and their effects on children and their families. Formerly taught at Bethlehem University. Contributed extensively to training professional and volunteer teams working with women and children victims of violence and abuse. Volunteers in and serves as a board member in several nonprofit organizations. Joined Adalah’s Board in 2005.

Dr. Hala Khoury-Bisharat, Advocate
Received an L.L.B. in Law in 1993 and an L.L.M. in Law (cum laude) in 1998 from the Faculty of Law, Hebrew University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford (England). Worked as a staff attorney with HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual for three years, as an attorney in a private law firm specialized in medical malpractice for three years, and as an editor of Adalah’s Review in 2005. Adjunct lecturer in international criminal law in the Faculties of Law, Haifa University, Tel Aviv University, and the College of Management, School of Law from 2005. Joined Adalah’s Board in 2007.

Fuad Sultany, Advocate
Received an L.L.M. from the Faculty of Law, University of Lodz (Poland). Runs a private law office in al-Tira since 1987, specializing in defending political prisoners and in land cases, with a focus on the OPT. Prominently contributed to defending land owners in the Triangle region whose lands were confiscated to build the Trans-Israel highway. Worked as an attorney with Ansar al-Sajeen (Prisoners Friends’ Association) for ten years. Active in various local and regional political, cultural, and educational activities. Served on Adalah’s Board during 2001 to 2004, and rejoined the Board in 2007.

Dr. Mahmoud Yazbak
Received a B.A. in General and Middle East History in 1978, an M.A. in Middle East History in 1992 from Haifa University, and a Ph.D. in Middle East Studies from Hebrew University in 1998. Completed post-doctorate research at Oxford University (England) in 1999. Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities, Middle East History, Haifa University, specializing in the social and political history of 19th and 20th century Palestine; historiography of Israel/Palestine; and Palestinian women (since 1993). Former spokesperson of the Committee for the Bereaved Families (October 2000). Joined Adalah’s Board in 2004.

Audit Control Committee

TOP

Muhammad Miari, Advocate | Audit Control Committee Member
Received an LL.M in Law from Hebrew University. Worked as a lawyer specializing in land laws, and representing Palestinian prisoners in Israel and the OPT. Was a founding member of the Regional Land Defense Committee, and the director of Ansar al-Sajeen (Prisoners Friends’ Association) for seven years. Served as a member of Knesset for the Arab Progressive Movement for Peace between 1984 and 1992. Involved in various political and cultural activities, and currently writing a quasi-autobiography book based on his experiences relating to the status and situation of the Palestinians in Israel and the OPT. Member of the Audit Control Committee of Mada al-Carmel and a commissioner on the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights (PICCR). Joined Adalah’s Audit Control Committee in 2006.

Waeil Rabi, Advocate & Notary | Audit Control Committee Member
Received an L.L.B in Law in 1990 and an L.L.M in Law in 2005 from the Faculty of Law, Bar Ilan University. Runs a private law office since 1992 specializing in civil litigation (commercial law and torts), land, planning and building, and local law. Represented about 150 families against the Israel Land Administration in cases relating to tenders for allocating land plots. Member of three Israeli Bar Association committees: the local committee in Kfar Saba, the committee of Courts Presidency, and the committee of Judges-Lawyers Relationships. Engaged in various activities for improving community life in his village and in Israel in general. Joined Adalah`s Audit Control Committee in 2006.