JDC Global Programmatic Priorities for 2007-2009

JDC Executive Report
May 16, 2006
By STEVE SCHWAGER

Dear Board Member,

From 1914 to 1948, JDC played a pivotal role in providing welfare and social services to Palestinian Jews and in laying the foundation of a social service system in the State of Israel. Since the creation of the State and over the past 50+ years, through conflict and quiet, JDC has helped Israel continue to build social services for all Israelis (Jews and Arabs) in need – elderly, children- and families-at-risk, vulnerable immigrant populations, and the disabled.

The Executive Committee recently reinforced our original mantra by adopting the JDC Global Programmatic Priorities for 2007-2009 which state, in part, that we must "respond in a focused way to major social welfare needs in Israel and changes in government policies, especially as they affect vulnerable populations, including Arab-Israelis."

The following numbers pulled from the Central Bureau of Statistics provide insight into the 24% of Israeli society that is not Jewish. In early 2005, there were 6,862,000 residents in Israel: 76% Jews, 20% Arabs and 4% other. Also in early 2005, the Muslim population in Israel reached more than 1,100,000 (16% of the overall Israeli population and 82% of the Arab population in Israel). At the end of 2003, the Druze population in Israel reached over 110,000 people - 1.6% of the overall Israeli population and 8.5% of the Arab population in Israel. There are 144,000 Christians in Israel and about 117,000 are Christian Arabs (81% of the overall Christians). It is interesting to note that the Israeli Arab population is young - 51% are below age 19.

Following the violent riots in October 2000 where 13 Israeli citizens – 12 Arab and one Jewish – were killed by police gunfire, the Government of Israel established The Or Commission of Inquiry. After three years of investigation and witness testimonies, the Or Commission presented its findings in September 2003. The Commission determined that addressing the Arab sector is the most sensitive and important domestic issue facing Israel today. The official Board of Inquiry noted specific action items on giving true equality to the country's Arab citizens in accordance with the essence of the State of Israel as a democracy. In this context, the Or Commission stressed that the state must initiate, develop, and operate programs that will quickly close gaps in education, housing, industrial development, employment, and services.

Part of the agenda of the country today, and particularly for the government that just took office, is to address the social, economic and health needs of the citizens of Israel. With strong support from North American Jewry and in support of the State of Israel, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues was formed. The Task Force is a broad-based, North American Jewish Coalition representing diverse organizational and ideological dimensions. It aims to help Israel so that Israeli Jews and Arabs can contribute, participate and benefit as full citizens.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues is comprised of over 60 organizations, foundations and federations and is being spearheaded by a Steering Committee made up of JDC; the Anti-Defamation League; the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; the New Israel Fund; The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies; the Alfred and Hanna Fromm Fund and UJA-Federation of New York. The Task Force is committed to Israel's secure and peaceful existence as a Jewish State and supports Israel's Declaration of Independence, including the article that promises "complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex." In this spirit, the Task Force will aim to educate the American Jewish community on majority/minority relations in Israel; increase awareness of economic, educational and social service weaknesses facing Israeli Arab communities; and strengthen Jewish and Arab leadership in Israel.

The Task Force organized an all-day educational forum on April 26 in New York which focused on majority/minority relations and the critical issues facing Israel's citizens today. Two hundred Jewish community leaders from the United States, Canada and Israel participated. Also present were several members of the JDC Board: Stuart Brown, Edith Everett, Alan Jaffe, Saul Kagan, Lee Kohrman, Terry Rubenstein, Susie Stern, and Marshall Weinberg.

Eighteen North American and Israeli NGO and key thought leaders presented on the history of relations between Arabs and Jews in Israel; the status of the Arab citizens of Israel; the Jewish responsibility and awareness of civic equality in Israel; empowerment of women; leadership development; social services; economic development/cooperation; and education. The seven-hour day culminated in a Town Hall meeting. The strongest sentiment expressed in this community gathering was the significance of North American Jewry becoming involved while simultaneously addressing other vital issues to strengthen and sustain the fabric of Israel as a Jewish State.

Because of our vast scope and reach in Israel, as well as our coalition-building expertise in North America, JDC agreed to serve as the convener and secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues. Let me assure you that much of what needs to be done must come from the State of Israel itself and its Jewish and Arab citizens. However, JDC is the leading social service provider in Israel and we have a rich history of cutting edge and influential work in response to pressing social issues. As a result, Ellen and I are proud that JDC is leading the non-political side of this effort. Building on the concept and efforts of Jewish leaders for a number of years, the Task Force under JDC’s leadership was officially formed four months ago. I look forward to sharing our progress with you.

Please feel free to contact Jessica Balaban, the Director of the Task Force, for more information either via phone at (212) 885-0823 or e-mail at Jessica.Balaban@jdcny.org.

Until next time,
Steve