Workshops, Roundtables and Discussions
International Workshop on Citizenship and Residency Generates New Strategies for Challenging the Citizenship Law
Jerusalem, November 2012
On 26 and 27 November 2012, Adalah convened an international legal workshop on “Citizenship and Residency in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. The workshop provided a forum for the participants to appraise the available legal and other means of challenging Israeli policies that limit Palestinians’ rights to citizenship and residency. The workshop, which was supported by the United Nations Development Programme, brought together local and international practitioners who are working to protect the residency and citizenship status of Palestinians and members of other vulnerable populations around the world. Over 30 individuals representing a dozen local and international organizations joined the workshop.
Workshop program and panelist bios
Photographs from the conference
Roundtable on Forced Displacement in Israel and the OPT
Beer el-Sabe, September 2012
On 11 September 2012, Adalah, together with the Geography Department at Ben-Gurion University hosted an expert roundtable discussion entitled “Considering Forced Displacement: Shared Human Rights Challenges, Strategies and Solutions.” The roundtable was convened on the first anniversary of the Israeli government’s approval of the Prawer Plan, which could forcibly displace up to 70,000 Arab Bedouin citizens of Israel living in unrecognized villages in the Naqab. The discussion, with over thirty (30) representatives of local and international civil society organizations, academics, and advocates working in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), drew on shared experiences of advocating against displacement on both sides of the Green Line. Participants assessed case studies of displacement from communities in the Naqab (Negev), the South Hebron Hills, and near Jerusalem. The discussion was followed by the introduction of a new a joint-project of Activestills and The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions documenting the continuing campaign of internal displacement in Israel/ OPT.
International Expert Workshop on Torture
April 2011
On 4‐5 April 2011, Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights‐Israel (PHR‐I), and the Al‐Mezan Centre for Human Rights held a two‐day international workshop in Jerusalem entitled "Securing Accountability for Torture and CIDT: New Trends and Comparative Lessons." The workshop, attended by 40 practitioners and experts from Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights organizations, focused on issues of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (CIDT) against Palestinian prisoners and civilians by Israel. It provided a forum to discuss current challenges, lessons learned, best practices, and advocacy strategies. Prof. Manfred Nowak, the former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, and Dr. Stephen Xenakis, a retired Brigadier General in the US Army Medical Corps and an active member of PHR-USA, gave keynote speeches. Jamil Dakwar, the Director of the ACLU’s International Advocacy Program and a former attorney with Adalah, spoke about the ACLU’s efforts over the last decade to secure accountability for torture perpetrated and/or endorsed by the US military. 56% of the participants responded that the torture workshop had been “outstanding”, and 44% “more than satisfactory”. The workshop was supported by the EU. Media coverage of the workshop included a two-page interview with Prof. Nowak in Yedioth Ahronoth: "And After They Were Tortured" (Hebrew), and an interview with Dr. Stephen Xenakis in Ha’aretz, entitled “First, do no harm”.
Roundtable on Right-wing protests in Arab towns and villages
University of Haifa, March 2011
Adalah initiated and hosted a virtual roundtable discussion in the newsletter in 03/11 under the title of “Right wing protest in Arab towns and villages: Should Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel ask the state authorities to prevent the extreme right-wing from holding racist demonstrations in their towns?” The participants were journalist and activist Hisham Naffa; Dr. Ilan Saban of Faculty of Law, University of Haifa; and journalist, lawyer and activist Marzouq Halabi.
Roundtable on Land Reform Law
July 2009
In 7/09, Adalah held a roundtable on the proposed land reform law, which eventually passed in 8/09. The roundtable was attended by representatives from Palestinian civil society in Israel as well as Arab MKs. Participants discussed the various affects the land reform will have on Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as alternatives of how to challenge the land reform.
Naomi Klein Book Event: “The Shock Doctrine”
Al-Median Theater, Haifa, July 2009
In cooperation with Mada Al-Carmel and Andalus Publishing, Adalah hosted renowned author and critic Naomi Klein in 7/09 on the occasion of the publication of her new book "The Shock Doctrine". The event was held in the Al-Meidan Theater in Haifa and was attended by over 300 people and was followed by a lively Q&A session.
Roundtable discussion on Gaza and International Law
February 2009
In 2/09, Adalah held a roundtable discussion for around 25 Palestinian and Israeli lawyers, academics and human rights professionals from Israel and the OPT to examine the possible means of enforcing international law both in international courts and foreign national courts, in the aftermath of Israel's military attacks on Gaza.
"After the 'Future Vision' Documents: Basic Issues in Minority-Majority Relations in Israel"
University of Haifa, Haifa, December 2007
This two-day workshop was hosted by the Department of Government and Political Theory, School of Political Science at Haifa University, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Ibn Khaldun Association, Mada al-Carmel, and Adalah. 20 leading academics and lawyers spoke at the workshop. Adalah GD Attorney Hassan Jabareen participated on a panel regarding the ‘Future Vision' document and Adalah's Democratic Constitution, and Prof. Marwan Dwairy, Chairperson of Adalah's Board of Directors, spoke on his observations regarding his participation in drafting meetings of the ‘Future Vision', the Democratic Constitution, and the Haifa Declaration.
Lecture and discussion with Arthur Chaskalson, former President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, founder of the Legal Resources Centre and the lawyer of Nelson Mandela
Adalah's office, Shafa'amr, November 2007
Adalah welcomed Arthur Chaskalson to its offices. Former Justice Chaskalson discussed the legal struggle against apartheid and the drafting South Africa's constitution with Arab civil society leaders and academics. Around 50 guests attended the event.
Photographs of Event – Arthur Chaskalson
Roundtable on Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Shafa'amr, April 2004
Adalah held the round table at its offices in Shafa'amr, in which around 20 staff members of Adalah and other human rights organizations participated. The guest lecturer, Maivan Lam, Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), spoke about the history of the indigenous peoples' rights movement.
Panel Discussion on Law and Social Change
Umm El-Fahem, March 2002
Adalah co-hosted a panel discussion with Assiwar (a Palestinian women's rights NGO in Israel) in Umm El-Fahem. Panelists focused on how law can be used as a tool for social change vis-a-vis the state, as well as on Palestinian women's initiatives to start economic projects within their communities. About 150 women (secular, religious, young and older) as well as a few men from the Triangle attended the event.
Memorial and Panel Discussions
Shafa'amr, October 2001
Adalah and the Galilee Society held this memorial event in Shefa'amr to commemorate the 13 Palestinian citizens of Israel killed in October 2000. The memorial consisted of poetry readings, remembrances by family members and friends of the deceased, a musical performance and remarks by Board and staff members of both organizations. Following the service, two panel discussions - "Arab Society in an Emergency Situation - Lessons in Health and Economy" and "The Commission of Inquiry - Evaluation and Strategies for Future Work" - were held with presentations by local political leaders, university lecturers, emergency medical care providers, NGO representatives, and journalists. The event was attended by approximately 100 people.
Future Strategies: The Role of the Palestinian Lawyer in the Field of Human Rights
Nazareth, May 2001
Adalah organized this panel discussion to open our annual General Assembly meeting in late May. Over 120 lawyers, municipality officials, journalists, students, and family members of the 13 Palestinian citizens killed during the October 2000 demonstrations attended the meeting. Ghassann Agbaria, Chair of Adalah's Board, joined by Ramez Jeraisy, Mayor of Nazareth, Shawki Khatib, on behalf of the High Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, and Dr. Mahmoud Yazbek, a representative of the Committee of the Martyrs' Families, welcomed the participants. Speakers included Taghrid Jahshon, a women's rights lawyer; Khader Shkirat, Director of LAW; Riad Anes, a criminal defense lawyer working with Adalah on the Commission of Inquiry; Salim Wakim, a senior lawyer and Board member of the Arab Association for Human Rights; and Hassan Jabareen, General Director of Adalah. Adalah staff attorney Jamil Dakwar moderated the panel. A general discussion was held following the lectures.
Legal Issues Facing Palestinian Citizens of Israel in the Negev
Beer el Sebe, January 2001
Adalah organized and held a panel discussion in January 2001 for 110 participants, including 14 Board and staff members, to facilitate its work on legal issues facing Arab Bedouin communities in the Negev. The panel was followed by a discussion in which Arab Bedouin participants presented to Adalah issues of specific concern to their communities. Mr. Ghassann Agbaria, Chair of Adalah's Board of Directors, welcomed the participants and made introductory remarks. Dr. Riad Egbarieh, Adalah Board member, moderated the panel. Panel participants included: Mr. Jaber Abu-Kaf, Head of the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages; Sheikh Juma El-Ksasi, Mayor of Rahat; Prof. Ismail Abu-Said, Department of Education, Ben Gurion University; Dr. Abdul Mouti, Physician and Board member of The Galilee Society; Dr. Amer Hizayle, Head of Strategic Planning Department, Rahat Municipality and a prominent activist with the Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages; and Mr. Yousef Jabareen, Ph.D. Candidate, Urban Planning, Technion. Mr. Marwan Dalal, Adalah's Staff Attorney who focused on issues in the Negev, briefed participants about Adalah's legal work, including petitions and letters of intervention submitted on behalf of the Arab Bedouin community.
The Palestinian Refugees: A Memory or a Cause
Shafa'amr, June 2000
In June, Adalah hosted this event, which highlighted the rights of the Palestinian refugees, a population now estimated at close to 4 million. The panel discussion was moderated by Adalah Advocate Marwan Dalal and featured Professor Susan Akram, Boston University School of Law/Al Quds University, who discussed the rights of the refugees under international law; Usama Halabi, Advocate, who detailed the Absentee Property Law; Dr. Ilan Pappe, Political Science Professor at Haifa University, who explored the consequences of the War of 1948 and the way in which it is taught to Jewish students; and Wakim Wakim, Advocate, who presented the situation of the internal Palestinian refugees, a population numbering 250,000. A documentary film directed by Mai Masri and entitled "Children of Shatila," preceded the panel discussion. Over 100 people attended the event.
Religious Discourse and Feminism Workshop
Gaza, June 2000
Adalah, in conjunction with the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA), organized a 3-day training workshop for 24 Palestinian activists from Israel to discuss and analyze religious discourse and feminism. Mashriqiyat, a research and advocacy NGO based in Gaza City devoted to promoting women's rights throughout Palestine, hosted and led the training workshop, which was held on 23-25 June 2000. Ms. Hoda Rouhana, Coordinator of Adalah's Women and the Religious Courts Project, and Ms. Areen Hawari, Coordinator of HRA's Women's Human Rights Program, organized the workshop.
Adalah's Women and the Religious Courts Project, initiated in September 1999, focuses on promoting and protecting women's rights in the Arab religious courts. Its aim is to introduce feminist and progressive interpretations of religious laws, and challenge orthodox or traditional practices through educational programs and by conducting research and writing articles for the press and local journals. In the future, the Project will offer legal representation to Palestinian women in the religious courts in Israel on their personal status matters.
The Religious Discourse and Feminism Workshop introduced the participants to legal structures, constitutions, and laws in the Arab world, classical and progressive jurisprudence in Shar'ia and the ways in which these approaches affect women, cultural relativism and feminism, and legislative advocacy projects currently being undertaken by numerous women's rights organizations throughout the Arab World. The workshop also focused on a recent expert meeting held under the auspices of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which discussed Arab countries' reservations to the Convention, and ways of reconciling CEDAW and Muslim personal status law.
Mr. Saed Hamid, a legal consultant and board member of Mashriqiyat, led the 3-day training workshop, with presentations also given by Lina Meari, an M.A. student in Bir Zeit University's Women's Studies Program, and Ms. Rouhana. Ms. Rouhana discussed her research on "Appointing Women as Qadis." The 24 participants represented Palestinian women's organizations in Israel, and Adalah and HRA staff. The participants acknowledged a need to continue this type of dialogue, to best develop strategies for personal status issues of Palestinian women before religious courts in Israel.
During their stay in Gaza, the participants also toured Al Shabora, Yubna, Al Shatea, and Al Serat refugee camps, met with the camps' committees, and saw the Israeli Jewish settlements that divide the cities of the Gaza Strip.
Women and the Religious Courts
Shafa'amr, January 2000
On 15 January 2000, Adalah and the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA) held a two-session workshop at Adalah's offices in Shafa'amr. Forty people attended the event, which aimed to open a debate about religion and feminism in the Palestinian religious courts. The event discussed whether Islamic religious texts and laws can be compatible with feminism, and whether a progressive, feminist reading of the Hadeeth is possible. The discussions also touched on personal status laws, prospective sources of feminist speech and the difference between the promotion of women's rights and the destruction of "cultural traits." Representatives from several coalitions and NGOs dealing with women's rights issues spoke on the workshop's panels including Aida Toma-Sulieman from the Personal Status Coalition, Marwa Qasem and Said Hamid from Mashriqiat in Gaza, and Runda Soniora and Halima Abusalub from the Women's Center for Legal and Social Aid in Jerusalem. Hoda Rouhana, Nasreen Tabari and A'reen Howwari served as the facilitators for the two workshops.
The Palestinian Minority in Israel: Between Integration and Collective Rights
Shafa'amr, October 1999
On October 9th 1999, Adalah hosted a panel discussion entitled "The Palestinian Minority in Israel: Between Integration and Collective Rights" at its offices in Shafa'amr. Speakers at the event included: MK Mohammed Baraka (Jebha/Hadash), MK Dr. Azmi Bishara (Tajamo'ah/Balad), Senior Lecturer Sami Shmooha from the Sociology Department at Haifa University, Sheikh Raed Salah, the Mayor of Umm al Fahm, and Wakim Wakim, Advocate, the Secretary of the Committee for the Defense of the Rights of the Uprooted Palestinians. Approximately 100 academics, community leaders, students, and others attended the event. All of the speakers agreed that there was an urgent need for the development of democratically elected Arab institutions and bodies. These bodies, according to the speakers, should represent the Arab community vis-a-vis the State, and formulate creative solutions to its unique challenges. In addition, the speakers addressed the question of the power dynamic between the state and the Arab community, discussing how autonomy could develop, and whether it should be demanded by the Arab community or granted by the state. The event was moderated by Marwan Dalal, Advocate, Staff Attorney for Adalah. Hisham Na'fa, journalist, and Hassan Jabareen, General Director of Adalah, served as commentators.
51 Years After the Declaration of Independence
Haifa University, January 1999
In January 1999, Adalah and the University of Haifa, Faculty of Law hosted a panel discussion at the University entitled "51 Years After the Declaration of Independence: The Status of Arabs in Israel." Approximately 50 legal academics and law students attended this panel, which addressed the issue of whether "equality" as promised in the Declaration is feasible in Israel, a state that defines itself as a "Jewish state." The speakers discussed the contradiction between individual identity and ethnicity and the Jewish character of the state, as well as the failure of the Declaration to provide for any group other than the Jewish population within Israel. The panel also focused on the future of the Arab national minority in Israel and their relationship with the Jewish state. Dean of the Haifa University Law School, Professor Yossi Edrey, opened the session and speakers included Professor Arnold Sofer, Haifa University Department of Geography, Dr. Azmi Bishara, Member of Knesset, Raef Zreik, Advocate, Board Member of Adalah, and Lecturer Ilan Saban, Haifa University, Faculty of Law. The panel was moderated by Dr. Sandy Kedar, Haifa University, Faculty of Law.
