European Parliament

"Tomorrow, Wednesday June 23, the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament will be discussing the situation of civil society and human rights NGos in Israel, as well as the situation of the human rights of Arab citizens of Israel. Pr. Ishai Menuchin, director of PCATI, and Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center, as well as their european partners EMHRN and FIDH, will be intervening during the hearing. The hearing will take place tomorrow at 6pm. It can be followed live at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-europarl-internet/frd/live/live-video?language=en . If you would like to personally attend the hearing, please be in touch with us at themossawacenter@gmail.com to secure accreditation to the Parliament."

Exchange of views on the Situation of NGOs and civil society in Israel

18.00h Opening remarks by Heidi Hautala

Speakers (and biographies)

Presentations by NGOs (total 30 minutes)

Dr. Ishai Menuchin (PhD in Political Theory) is the Executive Director of "The Public Committee against Torture in Israel." He is  the 2003 recipient of the Rothko Chapel “Oscar Romero Award for Commitment to Truth and Freedom”, and a lecturer in the Departments of Social Work and Political Science at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Dr. Menuchin edited Occupation and Refusal (November Books, 2006), Who is Afraid of Freedom (of Information)? (Shatil, 1998) and On Democracy and Obedience (Siman Kriah Books, 1990). He co-edited Can Tolerance Prevail? Moral Education in a Diverse World (Hebrew University Magnes Press, 2005) and The Limits of Obedience (Siman Kriah Books, 1985). Dr. Menuchin has been a human rights and social change activist, and an organizational consultant in the Israeli civil society sphere since 1982. He is one of the first "refusniks" of the First Lebanon War (1982), and one of the founders of Yesh Gvul (There is a Limit) – a soldier’s "refusal to serve" movement.

Mr Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, is a long time advocate and activist for equal rights for the Arab community.  He is currently a member of Public Council for the Governmental Equal Opportunities Commission. Having been the Head of the National Union of Arab students and the President of the Committee for Arab Students at Haifa University, Mr Farah then went on to founding CEGAS - the Center for Educational Guidance for Arab Students, in order to support and assist Arab students in their efforts for a higher degree  Prior to founding the Mossawa Center, Mr Farah was an investigative journalist and researcher for several years, working for the Haaretz net, several Arabic newspapers and TV programs on Israel’s public channel 2. His articles have been published in the Arabic, Hebrew and English Press.  Mr Farah was also a lecturer for Media and on ‘Being a Spokesperson’ at the Administrators College.  He has since continued to write articles which are published on a regular basis in both the Hebrew and Arabic press.

Nathalie Stanus, “Palestine/Israel and Palestinians” project coordinator, EMHRN, presenting recommendations of EMHRN and FIDH. - FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights) takes action for the protection of victims of human rights violations, for the prevention of violations and to bring perpetrators to justice. FIDH was established in 1922, and unites 164 member organizations in more than 100 countries. FIDH coordinates and supports their activities and provides them with a voice at the international level. Like its member organizations, FIDH is non partisan, secular and independent from all governments. - EMHRN (Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network) gathers more than 80 human rights organizations, institutions and individuals based in 30 countries around the Mediterranean. It works to promote and protect human rights within the framework of the Barcelona Process and the co-operation between the European Union and the Arab world.

18.40-20.00 Discussion

Mr. Zvi Tal Deputy Ambassador of the Mission of Israel to the EU

Prof. Gerald M. Steinberg is Professor of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University, founder of the Program on Conflict Management, and President of NGO Monitor. His research includes Middle East diplomacy and security, the politics of human rights and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Israeli politics and arms control, and is a member of the academic advisory board of the Israel Law Review. His op-ed columns appear in the Jerusalem Post, and in the Wall St. Journal (Europe); Financial Times, National Review Online, International Herald Tribune, and other publications. Recent academic publications include "Europe's Failed Middle East Policies"; "Soft Powers Play Hardball: NGOs Wage War against Israel ", and "The UN, the ICJ and the Separation Barrier: War by Other Means" (Israel Law Review). He is also completing research on human rights, politics and NGOs during the 2006 Lebanon war, funded by the prestigious Israel Science Foundation. NGO Monitor was founded to promote independent analysis, critical debate and accountability regarding the credibility, biases, political activities and impacts of non-governmental organizations.

Mr. Riccardo Serri, European Commission (DG RELEX)

Discussion with Members of DROI and other members invited to be present