Home     About the Project     Main Topics     Committee Debates     Resources     Contact Us   Committee Debates   Search: The Courts  |  The Knesset  |  The Knesset II  |  The Executive branch  |  Legislation  |  Religion and State  |  Israel as the Jewish State  |  Israel Lands Authority  |  Lands and Settlement  |  President of the State  |  The Army  |  State Comptroller  |  Jerusalem  |   Minority Rights   |  Political Rights  |  Social and Economic Rights  |  Rights of Due Process  |  Due Process  |  Right to Life  |  Meetings in Canada and US Issue 2: Participation and inclusion of Arabs Issue 2: Participation and inclusion of Arabs Inclusion of Arabs Dr. Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center for the advancement of Israeli Arab society emphasized that the constitutional debate requires the involvement of the Arab political leadership, including the supreme follow-up committee. However, he stated, it is important to clarify that this is in order to influence, not simply to fulfill a duty. He concluded by adding that we must include Arab social leaders the same way we use Jewish ones; the involvement of the Israel Democracy Institute does not satisfy both needs.   Additional issues raised included: Internal refugees: The 250,000 citizens displaced in 1948 who cannot return to their homes. The problematic role of the Jewish National Fund in distributing land for the exclusive development of Jewish communities. The Israel Lands Authority’s practice of fighting the Bedouins for their land in the Negev with the left hand while distributing land to the kibbutzim with the right hand. Symbols: Should/Can the Jews in Israel impose their symbols on the Arabs?   Constitution by broad consensus Yussef Jabarin, an advisor to Adalah, the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, questioned the notion of a “Constitution by broad consensus.” Is this a consensus of the Jews, he asked, or a consensus of the citizens? He stated that it is not too late to begin an honest dialog with Arabs. He suggested the committee conduct a debate of this sort in the offices of the supreme follow-up committee.   Collective historical rights Dr. Farih raised the issue of a collective Arab historical status in the country. He argued that “Collective rights are historical rights,” stressing the need for affirmative action in the budget, education and other spheres. He added that human rights violations, racism, and discrimination take place despite laws in Israel to the contrary. He emphasized the need to focus not only on a constitution that protects minority rights, but a legal system that will effectively enforce these rights. Bookmark Print Send to Friend Post a comment Copyright © 2004 The Knesset and The Jewish Agency for Israel. All rights reserved.