Tuesday 9th September 2008

Join New Israel Fund together with Finchley Reform Synagogue, Finchley Progressive Synagogue, New North London Synagogue and North Western Synagogue for a discussion with our panel who are involved in writing a ‘Just Constitution’ for Israel.

The Constitution of Israel, a democratic country, must respect the human, social and cultural diversity that exists in the State of Israel and guarantee the right to equality, freedom and social justice in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.

The Knesset Constitution Committee is preparing a draft constitution, but this does not guarantee it will provide equal fundamental rights for all Israeli citizens. For many Israeli Jews, the freedom to practice Judaism according to their beliefs is limited by the Orthodox monopoly, and for Israeli Arabs many basic rights are limited, which is unacceptable.

As a result, Israeli civil society organisations and individuals have gathered together to write the ‘Just Constitution’ – a constitution that they feel will create the basis for developing a shared and equal civil space that will bring prosperity and peace to Israel.

Moderator:

Michael Grabiner. The one-time Chief Executive of telecoms company Energis is a senior member of the tech and telecom team at investment house Apax Partners. Grabiner is also the Chairman of the Reform Movement (2006-2008), a Cambridge graduate and former Brent Labour councillor.

 

 

Panel:

Prof Frances Raday. Director of the Concord Research Centre for Integration of International Law in Israel, Visiting Professor at University College London, Professor of Law at the Hebrew University, and Chair of HEMDAT: The Council for Freedom of Religion in Israel.

Jafar Farah. Director of the Mossawa Center: The Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens of Israel.  Prior to founding Mossawa, Farah served as an investigative journalist for Ha’aretz, and has written extensively about issues of concern to Israel’s Arab minority.

Rabbi Gilad Kariv. Associate Director, Israel Religious Action Centre, Jerusalem. IRAC is the public and legal advocacy arm of the Progressive Movement in Israel. Rabbi and Attorney Kariv has worked tirelessly to strengthen the Movement's public advocacy work and to develop the social action activities of the Reform community there.

Date: Tuesday, 9th September 2008

Venue: Finchley Reform Synagogue, 101 Fallowcourt Avenue, N12 0BE

Time: 8:00 – 10:00pm

Cost: £5

 

Wednesday 10th September 2008.

Join New Israel Fund, BISLA and our distinguished panel to explore the current legal debate over the possibility of a future constitution for Israel. Will it keep the status quo or will it guarantee equality?

The Constitution of Israel, a democratic country, must respect the human, social and cultural diversity that exists in the State of Israel and guarantee the right to equality, freedom and social justice in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence.

The Knesset Constitution Committee is preparing a draft constitution, but this does not guarantee it will provide equal fundamental rights for all Israeli citizens. For many Israeli Jews, the freedom to practice Judaism according to their beliefs is limited by the Orthodox monopoly, and for Israeli Arabs many basic rights are limited, which is unacceptable.

As a result, Israeli civil society organisations and individuals have gathered together to write the ‘Just Constitution’ – a constitution that they feel will create the basis for developing a shared and equal civil space that will bring prosperity and peace to Israel.

Moderator:

TBC

 

 

Panel:

Prof Frances Raday. Director of the Concord Research Centre for Integration of International Law in Israel, Visiting Professor at University College London, Professor of Law at the Hebrew University, and Chair of HEMDAT: The Council for Freedom of Religion in Israel.

Jafar Farah. Director of the Mossawa Center: The Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens of Israel.  Prior to founding Mossawa, Farah served as an investigative journalist for Ha’aretz, and has written extensively about issues of concern to Israel’s Arab minority.

Rabbi Gilad Kariv. Associate Director, Israel Religious Action Centre, Jerusalem. IRAC is the public and legal advocacy arm of the Progressive Movement in Israel. Rabbi and Attorney Kariv has worked tirelessly to strengthen the Movement's public advocacy work and to develop the social action activities of the Reform community there.

 

Date: 10th September

Venue: Chatham House, 10 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LE

Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm

Cost: £10

For further details please contact Amit Handelsman on 020 7724 2266 or amit@uknif.org

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve bases.