Adalah Staff and Board

Staff Profiles

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Hassan Jabareen, Advocate | Founder of Adalah and General Director
Hassan Jabareen is the founder of Adalah. He has extensive experience in litigating landmark cases before the Israeli Supreme Court on behalf of Palestinians in Israel and in the OPT. Major cases include representing Arab political parties and leaders in elections disqualification cases and in political, criminal cases; and challenging the Citizenship Law which prohibits family unification between Palestinians from the OPT and Palestinian citizens of Israel, and the no-compensation law which banned Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza from obtaining damages from Israeli security forces. Further he led the legal team in the representation of the 13 bereaved families of the October 2000 killings and Arab political leaders before the Or Commission of Inquiry. He also appeared numerous times before UN human rights bodies. He received the "Peter Cicchino Award" for excellency in public interest lawyering from the American University law school in Washington DC and he was chosen in 2005 as a "Yale World Fellow". Under his leadership, Adalah received UN ECOSOC status, the Civil Rights Award of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and the award for NGO excellency and good governance from the Welfare Association. He has been teaching in Israeli law schools since 1998 as an Adjunct Lecturer on the legal status of Palestinian citizens of Israel. He has also published academic articles on cause-lawyering and the constitutional status of the Palestinians.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT: STAFF ATTORNEYS

Suhad Bishara, Advocate | Director of Adalah's Land and Planning Rights Unit
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.

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.

Sawsan Zaher, Advocate | Director of Adalah's Social, Economic and Education Rights Unit
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.
Fellow of the Public law program in the Public Interest Law Institute in Colombia University in New York on 2008, Academic Assistant in the Legal Status of the Arabv Minority in Israel in the Faculty of Law in Tel Aviv (from 2007 until today) and in the Law faculty in Haifa University (from 2009 until today) Former solo practitioner in a private law firm specializing in civil law from 1998 to 2003. Established and coordinated the legal department for Arab women's rights in Kayan – Feminist Organization in 2004 and 2005. A board member of Kayan and a member of other human rights and women's organizations.

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.

Haneen Naamnih, Advocate
in Adalah since March 2006. 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.

Rami Jubran, Advocate
Received an L.L.B. and a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Haifa, and qualified as a member of the Israeli Bar Association in 2010 and he is a registered Social Workers. Completed his legal apprenticeship in the criminal chamber of the State Attorney's Office in Haifa. Began working with Adalah in its Social, Economic and Cultural Rights Unit in 2011.

Rima Ayoub-Assaf, Advocate
Received an L.L.M. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2009 and an L.L.B. from the University of Haifa in 2006. Has been a member of the Israeli Bar Association since 2007. Previously worked in a private law office in East Jerusalem specialized in civil and administrative law. Completed her legal internship in the criminal department of the State Attorney's Office in Haifa district. She was a staff member of the journal "Law and Governance" published by the law faculty at the University of Haifa in 2004. A member of the legal clinic "Public Defense" in 2005.
Began working with Adalah in its civil and political rights Department in 2011.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT – SUPPORTING STAFF

Fadi Khoury | Law student
A third year law student at the University of Haifa. Works as a research assistant for Dr. Raychman at the Faculty of Law, the University of Haifa University, is a member of the Legal Clinics on Arab Minority Rights and Human Rights in Society, and an Editorial Associate for the Law Journal, "Law and Governance." Has been working as a law student trainee with Adalah since August 2009

Atef Abu Rabia | Field worker
Mr. Abu Rabia received his BA in Middle Eastern and Islamic History from Tel Aviv University in 2005. He is currently in his second year of law school at Sha'arei Mishpat College in Hod Hasharon. Mr. Abu Rabia was born and raised in an unrecognized Bedouin village in the Naqab and is a life-long activist for Bedouin and Palestinian rights. He has worked for various political and human rights organizations including Generation for Peace (Dor Shalom), Peace Now, The Negev Coexistence Forum, and Combatants for Peace. He is a research assistant in the Department of Geography at Ben-Gurion University. Mr. Abu Rabia also teaches Arabic and regularly serves as a translator and guide for both academics and journalists throughout the Naqab. Mr. Abu Rabia is currently the Naqab field worker for Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights.

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.

Salah Muhsin | Media Coordinator
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.

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.

Ghassan Kharouba | Financel Director
Working with Adalah since 2008. Received B.A in Accounting and Economics from the Hebrew University. Ghassan is a Certified Public Accountant and runs a private accounting business since 1994. Has worked as a senior manager of an auditing office since 1996. Has vast experience in auditing financial reports for public institutions and providing financial consulting to NGOs. Founding member of the Hewar Association for Alternative Education, in which he has served as a board member and chairperson of the financial committee since its establishment in 2001.

Hoda el-Sane' | Secretary, Adalah's Naqab Office
Began working with Adalah in its Naqab Office in 2011. Previously worked as secretary in several offices and companies. Today, in addition to her work in Adalah, she works as a guide in an education project for the elderly run by women's groups in the unrecognized villages in the Naqab and as a correspondent for the newsletter of the Sidreh women's organization.

Board of Directors

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Dr. Mahmoud Yazbak | Chairperson
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.

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. Khaled Abu Asbeh
Director of the Masar Institute for Educational Research, Planning and Counseling. received BA and MA degrees in education and a Ph.D. in Sociology and Anthropology. Lecturer in the Politics and Public Administration Program at the Hebrew University; Education lecturer at the Beit Berl College, and associate researcher at the Van Leer Institute. Has published numerous books and studies on the subject of education. Served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sikkuy for eight years and is an active member on the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Education for the past 15 years. Joined Adalah's board in 2009.

Dr. Mas'ud Hamdan
Received B.A in Sociology and Comparative Literature in 1986, and an M.A (1996) and Ph.D. (1999) in Comparative Literature and Drama from Haifa University. Writer, theatre critic, and lecturer in the Arabic Language and Literature Department at Haifa University. Was a lecturer in the Arabic Literature Department of the Hebrew University, the Gordon College, and the Open University. Published many articles and research papers on theater and comparative literature, as well as a book entitled, "The Bitter Cup and the Holy Rain: Politics, Poetics and Protest in the Arab Theatre". Currently the manager of Al-Niqab Theater in Isifiya, where he has produced many plays, including "The Hole of the Spout", "Horus and Ahriman" and "The Command". Joined Adalah's Board in 2009.

Salma Wakim, Advocate
Received an L.L.B. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Manages a private law office in Nahariya that specializes in compensations laws and traffic laws. She is a member of Ittijah, the Union of Arab Community-Based Associations and a member of the General Assembly of the Arab Association for Human Rights (HRA).
Previously worked in the disciplinary tribunal of the Israeli Bar Association. In 2008, she was awarded the Women in Law Prize at the annual lawyers' conference. She is also an activist in women's organizations against violence. Joined Adalah's Board in 2010.

Audit Control Committee

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Jeries Rawashdeh, Advocate | Audit Control Committee Member
Received an L.L.B from the Academic College in Netanya in 2006 and is currently studying for an L.L.M at Haifa University. Works as the private and academic assistant to former judge Hanoch Areiel in Academic College in Natanya. Participated in all Adalah's law students conferences. Joined Adalah's Audit Control Committee in 10/2008.