Adalah's Newsletter Volume 33, February 2007

 

Volume 33, February 2007 www.adalah.org
 
International Advocacy - UN CERD
 
Human Rights Organizations, "Racial Discrimination Concerns Must be Taken Seriously by Israel"
UN Committee asked Israel about the Status of the Jewish National Fund, the Citizenship Law and the Arab Holy Sites
Adalah's Report to UN CERD Committee, 1 February 2007
Adalah's Special Report on UN CERD
 
Land, Planning and Justice
 
Demand to Interior Minister and AG to Cancel Warnings to Demolish all Homes in Unrecognized Arab Bedouin Village of Nasasara in the Naqab
Motion Filed to Cancel Orders to Demolish 33 Homes in the Unrecognized Arab Bedouin Village of Umm el-Hieran in the Naqab, on which the State Plans to Establish a Jewish Town
Arab Couple’s Application to Live in a Community Town in Misgav Rejected Because of their National Belonging
 
Socio-Economic Rights
 
Motion for Second Hearing to Supreme Court to Reconsider its Decision that State Loans for Home Mortgages Awarded to Former Soldiers Do not Discriminate against Arab Citizens
Following Adalah’s Petition, Finance Ministry Commits to Granting “Border Town” Status to Four Arab Villages in North, Making them Eligible for Full Compensation for War Damages
 
October 2000 and the Zeiler Commission
 
Adalah to Attorney General Mazuz: Dismiss State Prosecutor Shendar for his Consistent Failures as Head of Mahash
 

  Adalah’s Newsletter is a monthly publication issued in Arabic, Hebrew and English. It highlights Adalah’s main activities, provides analysis of human rights issues, and links to new reports. Suggestions, articles and commentaries from our readers are welcome. View previous volumes  
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A Word from Adalah's Chairman, Prof. Marwan Dwairy
On the tenth anniversary of its founding, Adalah is issuing “The Democratic Constitution,” as a constitutional proposal for the state of Israel, based on the concept of a democratic, bilingual, multicultural state. This proposed constitution draws on universal principles and international conventions on human rights, the experiences of nations and the constitutions of various democratic states. In recent years, Israeli groups have put forward several constitutions for the state of Israel. However, these proposals are distinguished by their lack of conformity to democratic principles, in particular the right to complete equality of all residents and citizens, and by their treatment of Arab citizens as if they were strangers in this land, where history, memory and collective rights exist only for Jewish people. It is no coincidence therefore that these proposals have been preoccupied with the question of, “Who is a Jew?” and have neglected the primary constitutional question of, “Who is a citizen?” Thus, we decided to propose a democratic constitution, which respects the freedoms of the individual and the rights of all groups in equal measure, gives proper weight to the historical injustices committed against Arab citizens of Israel, and deals seriously with the social and economic rights of all. If “The Democratic Constitution” succeeds to underscore the enormous gap between it and the other proposals, and to create an objective public debate and dialogue on the nature of rights and freedoms in this country, then we will have taken an important step forward in the issues of racial equality, freedoms and social justice. Work was carried out on preparing this constitution for around two years, during which numerous meetings and study days for Adalah’s staff, Board and General Assembly were held. In my name, and in the name of Adalah, I offer my gratitude and appreciation to the professional staff of Adalah and to its General Director, Attorney Hassan Jabareen, for all of their efforts in preparing this proposed constitution to a high professional level, while adhering to the humanitarian principles on which it is based. I would also like to thank my colleagues in Adalah’s Board and the members of the... more
 

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