Dozens of Arab university students gathered on Monday and Tuesday, October 13–14, 2025, to discuss legal, parliamentary, and international advocacy mechanisms, as well as the role of media and community organizing in addressing challenges facing Arab society. The seminar, organized by the Mossawa Center in Haifa, also tackled issues of economic and student development, with the participation of academics, lawyers, politicians, and journalists.
Day One: Advocacy, Parliamentary Work, and Community Organizing
The opening session focused on the effectiveness of parliamentary and legal work, with contributions from former MK Sami Abu Shehadeh, former MK Youssef Atauna, former MK Sundus Saleh, and attorneys Hussein Manna and Alia Zubi. The session, moderated by Nibal Ardatt, featured critical perspectives on the limits of the Knesset and legal channels in countering discriminatory legislation. MK Yasser Hajirat apologized for his absence due to a Knesset session.
The second session addressed international advocacy, with political advisor and Chevening scholarship director at the British Embassy Samar Hawila, and international relations expert Abeer Shhadeh Nasser. The discussion, moderated by Mossawa’s Executive Director Suha Salman Mousa, highlighted the importance of international relations and resource mobilization in supporting the Arab community.
In the third session, participants examined the role of local authorities in economic development with Mazra’a Council head Fouad Awad and Haifa City Council member Sally Abed. Mossawa Director Jafar Farah moderated the panel, while Taybeh’s Deputy Mayor Sameh Araqi apologized for his absence. Speakers highlighted obstacles in urban planning, the lack of industrial zones, and employment challenges.
The day concluded with a workshop on community organizing and grassroots activism, featuring activist Ali Ali Saleh and social worker Manar Khalilieh, moderated by Dr. Rawda Markus Makhoul. Practical models for grassroots initiatives and community empowerment were presented.
In the evening, more than 240 participants attended an open-air screening of the documentary Lyd by filmmaker Rami Younis. Mossawa Director Jafar Farah stressed that hosting the screening outdoors was a protest against Haifa Municipality’s refusal to provide a hall. A discussion followed with journalist Majd Assadi and educator Manar Mimeh on cinema’s role in exposing discrimination and amplifying community issues.
Day Two: Media and Student Challenges
The second day opened with a session on the role of media in advocacy, with journalists Diaa Haj Yahya, Bayan Hujirat, and Baker Zoubi, moderated by student Hussein Hallaj. The session focused on the challenges facing Arab journalists, the use of digital media to counter mainstream narratives, and the importance of ethical principles and national perspectives in Palestinian journalism.
Journalist Sirin Jabarin also recorded podcast interviews with several students.
The seminar concluded with a broad discussion on the challenges Arab students face in Israeli universities, featuring Saleh Ighbariyeh (jabha), Youssef Taha (tajamua), Dr. Warda Saad, and activist-academic Omar Sharafi. The session, moderated by student Alin Nasra, addressed political persecution, economic hardships, and social difficulties, while stressing the importance of organizing student efforts and building supportive frameworks.
Recognition and Closing
The seminar ended with a recognition evening, including remarks from Executive Director Soha Salman Mousa, youth programs coordinator Adam Qais, and Director Jafar Farah. Participants were given evaluation forms to plan future initiatives and emphasized that the seminar provided valuable networking, practical training, and a platform for enhancing student engagement in advocacy and community work.
The event concluded with certificate distribution and a guided tour of Haifa’s Wadi Nisnas neighborhood.
