TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES
Briefing Paper: What is Financial Inclusion and What Needs to be Done to Include Arab Society in Israel?:  

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The briefing paper "What is Financial Inclusion and What Needs to be Done to Include Arab Society in Israel" is a collaborative effort between the IATF and the Adva Center. Recognizing the mutual interest in raising awareness about financial inclusion in Israel, we partnered to create this insightful report for our audiences both in the US and Israel. The paper delves into the concept of financial inclusion, highlighting the pressing need to include Arab society in Israel, as they face limited access to financial services.

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Explore Life of Arab Citizens and Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel: IATF Introduces Movie Guides for Educators:  

 

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IATF is pleased to introduce two movie guides, freely available for educators to use when conducting virtual, hybrid, or in-person programming. Our first two movie guides are for Oriented (2015, Jake Witzenfeld) and Bar Bahar (“In Between”) (2016, Maysaloun Hamoud).

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SVF and IATF Convening Explores Challenges and Opportunities for Philanthropy in Israel's Changing Landscape:  

 

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In mid-May, the Social Venture Fund for Arab-Jewish Equality and Shared Society (SVF) and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab issues (IATF) convened a day-and-a-half long event to discuss the current implications and possible roles for philanthropy in the field of Arab-Jewish equality and shared society with respect to the challenges associated with the new Israeli Government.

Arab Public Elementary Schools: New Approaches to Narrowing Gaps:  

On Monday, May 23, 2023, IATF hosted a Zoom call titled “Arab Public Elementary Schools: New Approaches to Narrowing Gaps” with The Israel Center for Educational Innovation (ICEI) to discuss new government efforts and civil sector partnerships to improve performance.

Thumbnail: May 23 Zoom Call featuring (L-R, T-B) Shireen Natour Hafi, Director of Arab Education (Ministry of Education) and Sally Awad Asfour, Director of Programs for Arab Communities and Tamkin (ICEI).

New Government, Protest Movement, and Arab Citizens of Israel - Implications and Emerging Actions:  

 

Screenshot of title New Government, Protest Movement, and Arab Citizens of Israel: Implications and Emerging Actions

Since the inauguration of Israel’s thirty-seventh government on December 29, 2022, Israeli society has been in turmoil. Protests that began in early January against various aspects of the new governments’ agenda grew and intensified as they coalesced around proposed judicial reforms and their implications for Israeli democracy. This paper aims to outline the major areas of concern regarding the new government with respect to Arab society, state-minority, and Jewish-Arab relations. It then points to emerging lines of thought about responses in the field.

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Arab Citizens and Shared Society Issues at Major American Jewish Conferences | March 2023:  

 Picture of Israel's Jewish and Arab Citizens: Paths Toward Shared Society

In March 2023 IATF staff members attended and presented at iCon and JFN.

IATF Annual Report 2022:  

 

Photo of first page of IATF 2022 Annual Report

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues (IATF) is proud to present our 2022 Annual Report. You can access the report here.

Infographic Educational Fact Sheet on Arab Citizens of Israel:  

 

   

An IATF / iCenter set of resources for educating about Arab citizens and Jewish-Arab relations in Israel.

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ISRAEL UPDATES
Kaplan Pro-democracy Protest in Solidarity with Arab Society:  

For 34 consecutive weeks, thousands of protesters have gathered in Tel Aviv and across Israel to voice their opposition to the government's plans for overhauling the judicial system, while also advocating for a broader spectrum of societal issues. On August 26th, the protest movement shifted its attention to condemn the rising violence and crime affecting Arab communities.

Thumbnail: “Have You Seen the Horizon Lately?” shared a one-minute video that featuring Shir Nosatzki and Mayor Mamoun Abed Elhi at the event.

Overview of Arab Political Parties and Discourses in Israel:  

On July 27, 2023 IATF hosted a webinar titled "Overview of Arab Political Parties and Discourses in Israel". Dr. Ameer Fakhoury talks about the streams, authorities, and parties shaping Arab political discourses in Israel. What are their political activities and influence? How do they view cooperation and partnership with the government and Jewish political parties? Which challenges and strategies do they prioritize, and what are the relations between them?

Thumbnail: July 27 Zoom Call featuring Dr. Ameer Fakhoury (Van Leer Jerusalem Institute).

A Seat at the Table: Arab Citizens Aspirations for Shared Political Power in Israel:  

Thumbnail: July 27 Zoom Call featuring Dr. Rula Hardal (Shalom Hartman Institute).

On August 03, 2023 IATF hosted a webinar titled "A Seat at the Table: Arab Citizens’ Aspirations for Shared Political Power in Israel". Dr. Rula Hardal, Research Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, about Arab talked about aspirations for political influence in Israel. Given the political landscape described in the first session, what are the opportunities and challenges for more substantial and shared citizenship and politics for Arab citizens? How does such a vision relate to the existing political streams in Arab society?

"March of the Dead" in Tel Aviv: Uniting Voices Against Crime and Calling for Government Action:  

March of the Dead

Over 20,000 Arab and Jewish protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on August 7th for the "March of the Dead." This event emphasized the shared concern for safety and marked the start of future initiatives to address crime prevention and empower the Arab community.

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Minister of Finance Moves to Revoke More than NIS 500 m. in Government Budgets for Arab Society:  

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This week, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (the Religious Zionism party) moved again to freeze major components of GR-550 (the five-year economic development plan for Arab society approved in October 2021), and GR-3790, the five-year plan for East Jerusalem. The budgets under these resolutions amount to over NIS 500 million. 

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A Bridge to the Future: The Gap Year as a Path to Mobility among Arab Youth in Israel:  

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The policy paper titled "A Bridge to the Future: Gap Year Programs for Young Arabs in Israel" was prepared by the Israel Democracy Institute, addressing the significance of gap year programs for Israeli Arab youth and offering comprehensive recommendations for their implementation and development.

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Challenges to GR-550 Spark Concerns for Arab Society:  

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On July 18, GR-550, the five-year socio-economic development plan for Arab society passed in 2021, was targeted by government ministers seeking to reevaluate the plan and to redirect funds from its budgets. This is the most straight-forward threat to the plan, it comes on the heels of several reductions over the last several months.

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Governance Intentions and Policy Changes:  

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Discover the significant policy changes affecting Arab citizens in Israel under the new government. Explore the guiding principles and recent legislation that are reshaping the relationship between the government and Arab communities.

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We Are in a Daily Battle for Survival
Jewish Currents July 11, 2023
Executive course opens doors for Arab Israelis
Financial Times May 16, 2023
Three Bullets
Groundwork April 11, 2023