1 The Coalition against Racism - Activity Report January – June 2016
2 About the Coalition The Coalition against Racism, initiated in 2003, is comprised of 46 non-profit member organizations that represent minority voices in Israel. These organizations work with Palestinian citizens of Israel, with the Russian-speaking, Ethiopian, Mizrahi, and refugee communities, as well as working to promote the rights of women, the disabled, children, Palestinians under occupation and the elderly. The minority communities that we represent are all victims of prejudice and discrimination and work together to eradicate racism in the country.
3 Promoting Educational Programs Human Rights EducationGoals Legal and Legislative Reactions Promoting Educational Programs Legal and legislative work done by the Coalition Reactions to statements and events, both private and public Raising Awareness Public Council Regional Forums Human Rights Education Working with public figures Vision for 2016 Scheduled lectures קידום תכניות חינוך- להעלאת מודעות לגבי ההשפעות השליליות של גזענות וכן, מנסים ליצור סולידריות בין הקהילות השונות בפני הגזענות הממסדית והציבורית. תגובות - המרחב הציבורי בישראל, , רווי במסרים ופרקטיקות בעלי אופי גזעני. במקביל, הארגון סבור שנדמה שקיימת השלמה עם התופעה ומכיוון שכך הארגונים החברים ואנשים פרטיים בארגון משמיעים את את קולם למען מיגור תופעת הגזענות בישראל תרבות נגד גזענות: ארגון אירועי תרבות ברחבי הארץ כדי להביא קהל אוכולסיה מגוונת. המטרה- לכנס משתתפים מקהלים שונוים כדי להכיר ולהחשף לתרבות של האחר. חינוך לזכויות אדם ונגד גזענות: פעילויות חינוכיות בשותפות ובשיתוף פעולה עם מוסדות חינוך בארץ שפונים למטה ומבקשים לצורך קידום תכניות חינוך והרצאות מטעם נציגי המטה. יעד זה נתמך בחשיפה הן ע"י הארגון במדיה מסורתית או דיגיטלית (עד כמה שהאמצעים עומדים לרשות הארגון) והן ע"י המוסד החינוכי פורומים מקומיים ואזוריים למאבק בגזענות: המטה מתכנן להקים עד סוף 2016 פורומים אזוריים ומקומיים למאבק בגזענות בפריסה גיאוגרפית בכל הארץ אשר יהיו חלק מהמטה ויהוו התחלה של תנועה ציבורית עממית למאבק בגזענות בארץ. יעד זה אינו תלוי חשיפה ממוקדת משום שבנייה של פורום מקומי לוקחת זמן ותשומת לב דקדקנית. בניית הפורום נעשית בשיתוף פעולה של הארגונים החברים במטה. המועצה הציבורית למאבק בגזענות: המטה מקדם יסוד מועצה ציבורית למאבק בגזענות בישראל שיהיו חברים בה ידוענים ואנשי ציבור.
4 December 2015 "I’m also against racism and violence”A campaign that ran in December and January, where people would send their picture to show their support in opening a dialogue and communication against racism and towards a common, better future for us and our children. .Part of the campaign was also a video produced by the Coalition, with actor Hisham Suleiman
5 December 2015 The Knesset Anti-Racism Lobby met for a special discussion that dealt with racism in the workplace, a session initiated by The Coalition against Racism and the Chairs of the Lobby, MK Aida Touma-Sliman (The Combined List) and MK Michal Biran (The Zionist Camp). More Information
6 January 2016 In Taybeh at the Tishreen organization, a workshop on the subject of racism, with a youth group and young people in a project of developing leadership and social initiatives.
7 January 2016 In January 2016, The Coalition against Racism and IRAC jointly produced the booklet, “Hate is Not an Option,” in memory of Richard Liking. The booklet contains a collection of articles about racism and racial discrimination, written by MKs, scholars, and other renowned public figures. Att. Nidal Othman, Director of The Coalition against Racism, also wrote for the booklet. For the full article, click here.
8 February 2016 For the first time, a Joint Conference against Racism was organized by the Israel Bar Association together with The Coalition against Racism For the full article
9 February 2016 On the 18th of February, The Coalition against Racism held its first meeting with the Histadrut’s Division on Promoting Equality, in order to examine ways for cooperation in the fight against racial discrimination. Participants included the chairman of the division, Mr. Sohel Diab, and his assistant, Itamar Avnery, Ramin Abu Ras, Director Nidal Othman from the Coalition, Attorney Efrat Podem, Director of the Tmura Center, Adv. Tal Raviv of the Israel Religious Action Center, and Liron Kanty, event coordinator for The Coalition against Racism.
10 March 2016 From the event at the Journalists' House in Tel Aviv launching the Community Council against Racism. The Honorable Judge Dalia Dorner welcomes the participants For More Information
11 March 2016 An online survey undertaken by The Coalition against Racism in Israel, together with the Rafi Smith Institute, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the 21st of March, reveals disturbing data on racism in Israeli society. The findings of the survey will be presented in the meeting of the Lobby for the Fight against Racial Discrimination held in a special deliberation in the Knesset. For More Information
12 March 2016 For the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we went out to the streets and showed passersby a video and filmed their reaction to what they saw. All of this was a part of our campaign, “It All Starts with Education” For More Information
13 March 2016 In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Knesset held various discussions in the Knesset committees on the subject as well as a conference sponsored by the Lobby against Racial Discrimination. For More Information
14 April 2016 Over the past years we have been working to uncover the dimensions of racism in Israel, both personal and institutional, in order to show it to the public and to our decision-makers. While all of you involved yourselves in the Smotrich matter, you forgot the true story. There are hospitals in Israel that separate Jews and Arabs in the most openly racist manner. We must continue to work urgently against these institutions in order to stop these unacceptable practices” Att. Nidal Othman, Director of The Coalition against Racism, in a discussion in the Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women about the separation between Jewish and Arab birthing mothers““
15 April 2016 Through the initiative of the Coalition, and with the participation of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the NGO Tishreen, the first meeting of the Southern Triangle and Sharon Region Forum for Civic Equality and against Racism was held in Taybeh at Tishreen. The Forum will work to advance joint action for the benefit of Arab and Jewish residents of the region, will develop areas of joint action, and will advance activity that will strengthen the partnership
16 May 2016 On May 8th in Taybeh, the second meeting of activists working to establish the Southern Triangle and Sharon Region Forum for Civic Equality and against Racism was held. This is an initiative of The Coalition against Racism in Israel together with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Tishreen organization, whose goal is to establish joint action of women, men, and youth in the area – Jews and Arabs – to advance common interests of the communities that live in the region, to deepen knowledge and connections between the communities, and to create a partnership based on joint action.
17 June 2016 The Southern Triangle and Sharon Forum took a tour of Tirah and visited Taybeh’s Ramadan Market
18 June 2016 The Coalition Against Racism in a call to the Director of the Ministry of Education: A program before summer break against racial discrimination in schools. For More Information
19 June 2016 Attorney Nidal Othman, Director of The Coalition against Racism, participating in a meeting initiated by MK Dov Khenin to examine the program that was put together by the joint Ministerial committee following last year’s protest by Israeli Jews of Ethiopian origin. According to the words of Ziva Mekonnen, Executive Director of the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews, the program is like an indictment against the Ethiopian community and does nothing to address its needs.
20 Israel Religious Action Center and The Coalition against RacismIRAC’s work outlined in this report was performed on behalf of The Coalition against Racism in Israel (CAR). IRAC engages in a proactive approach to a shared society, opposing racism whenever it occurs, using zero-tolerance policies in responding to incitement, and promoting a vibrant public discourse that encourages alternatives and helps position this issue as a strategic focus for the nature of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
21 Israel Religious Action Center And The Coalition Against RacismLegal Action against Public Incitements IRAC works to ensure that investigations are launched, and government funds denied, to public and religious figures or organizations that incite racism. IRAC also works to mobilize public opinion to prevent the atmosphere from being directed by extremists and to galvanize the authorities to action. IRAC publishes reports that encourage a debate in academic and policy circles and engages the Israeli public in community events that tap into popular Israeli culture to create a new sense of solidarity between Jews and Arabs in Israel and to assert the presence of the Arabic language in the public sphere.
22 Israel Religious Action Center and The Coalition Against RacismJanuary 2016 An appeal to the Minister of Justice and the State Attorney in the matter of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who encourages theft from Arabs, and calls for their eviction from the country. A second appeal to the government legal advisor and the police in the matter of the committee of Shomron settelers. February 2016 Appealing to the police in regards of Maccabi Netanya supporters shouting, “Death to the Arabs”. An appeal to the state attorney about the Rabbi Refael Zar and his incitement speech about foreign women.
23 Israel Religious Action Center and The Coalition Against RacismMarch 2016 An appeal to the Attorney General concerning not reaching a decision about prosecuting Lehava members for their racist speech and promotion of a violent new campaign. Another appeal asking to open a criminal investigation into the racist and inciting speech of the Sephardi head, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, and an appeal to open another criminal investigation against the makers of the inciting video, “This is How Arab guys Hung Jewish Girls.” A letter to Coop about a discriminatory and illegal ad they ran.
24 Israel Religious Action Center and The Coalition Against RacismApril 2016 An appeal to the Attorney General about opening a criminal investigation regarding an inciting article on the website, “Hakol Hayehudi” – “The Soldier Acted as Necessary”. There was also the submitting of the following requests for a disciplinary hearing: - Rabbi Elyakim Levanon – Rabbi for the Shomron and Alon Moreh Regional Council. - Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu – Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and a member of the national Rabbinic council. An appeal to the Minister of Health regarding separation between Arab and Jewish patients in the maternity ward.
25 Israel Religious Action Center and The Coalition Against RacismLegislative Work IRAC has written four legislative proposals that have been given to Knesset members for promotion and implementation. The first bill proposes to make incitement to racism not only a penal offense, but also a civil offense, which would entail the payment of damages and simplify prosecution, thereby creating much greater deterrence. The second bill proposes to include in the Equal Opportunities Law a penalty for publishing discriminating employment ads, as well as provisions for punishment of third party publishers like Avodah Ivrit. The third bill proposed would allow for civil lawsuits against websites that encourage discriminatory employment practices and the fourth bill challenges the current definition of racism.
26 Israel Religious Action Center And The Coalition Against RacismLegislative Work Promoting a law to allow for disciplinary hearings for Rabbis (1/2016). A position paper against the Law of Impeachment. Examining comparative law regarding civil offenses of incitement to racism.
27 Tmura Center and The Coalition against RacismThe Tmura Center acts as the legal branch of the Coalition and provides legal counseling on principle issues. The Center also undertook and handled specific cases in courts of law, which were handpicked for their additional value in terms of general public importance and their potential to generate favorable legal precedents. Thus, the Center’s actions contributed to the development of a knowledgeable discourse in the field of equality and anti-discrimination in the Israeli labor market and brought to public attention the problem of police violence, through enhanced media exposure and important legal cases.
28 Tmura Center and The Coalition against RacismExamples of recent important litigation involving the Tmura Center: We initiated - and represented the victim - in a large case brought against the police and the Justice Department for failing to properly address severe complaints of police violence that culminated in the near-killing of the victim. The case has won vast media and public attention and also resulted in a settlement in which the State paid an unusually high sum of money in compensation.
29 Tmura Center and The Coalition against RacismAnother case we handled was a lawsuit against the largest hospital in Tel-Aviv, which unjustly discriminated against a refugee and his family. The case recently resulted in a settlement in which the hospital publicly apologized (the hospital’s general manager has personally delivered the apology) and also agreed to pay damages to the plaintiff.
30 Tmura Center and The Coalition against RacismAnother example is a case in which we have initiated legal proceedings on behalf of a religious Muslim woman who was discriminated against because of her religious dress- code when she applied for a job as a teacher. This was a stark example of a case in which several factors combined to enhance the already-severe discrimination that minorities face: she was discriminated against because of her nationality and religion, but this also intersected with her status as a woman. This case also had a favorable outcome: following our lawsuit, the Ministry of Education and the local municipality yielded to our demands and she was accepted to work immediately.
31 Tmura Center and The Coalition against RacismWe filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Jewish-Ethiopian child and his mother, who faced discrimination in the process of applying for a kindergarten in Ashdod. They were refused admittance when the manager found out they were “Black Jews.” We are filing another suit against an educational institution that refused admittance to a child of an intermarriage because her mother isn’t Jewish. In yet another case which will be brought before the court soon, we represent Arab citizens of an mixed town, who were discriminated against by companies which marketed apartments to Arabs in different, and significantly higher, prices than those offered to Jews. And finally, we undertook a case of a refugee who was severely beaten by Immigration officers.
32 Here is a list of appearances.The Coalition against Racism has been very active in the Israeli media. Here is a list of appearances.
33 Members of the Coalition against Racism:IRAC, Tmura Center, Mossawa Center, Sikkuy, Ahotti Movement, Negev Coexistence Forum, The Coalition of Women for Peace, Magaleem Halakat, PHR, The Mizrahi Democratic Rainbow,Tebeka Advocacy for Equality and Justice for Ethiopian Israelis, Agenda, Kav LaOved, Forum Hakar, Mahbakh Tageer, Gedar, Movement of Democratic Women in Israel, Maan, Herac, Mahsom Watch, The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, The Follow-up Committee on Arab Education, Ha-keshet in Arad, Arbat, The Abraham Fund Initiatives, Mixed Families, Morashtenu, Psychoactive, Reshima Leekhot Ha-mektsowa, SOS, Racism Not in My Vountry, Neveh Shalom School, Herakona, ASSAF, Merhaveem, Israeli Children, Shatil, Ossim Shalom, Ealam Center, Adom Hadash Movement, Hagalil Forum, Russian Graduate Association, Beit Assadaqa Tamra, Intima wa Atta Tirah.
34 Gimprich Family FoundationOur activities are made possible with support from: Gimprich Family Foundation