Dear Task Force members and friends,
I am pleased to announce that, over the summer, we have created new features on our website and integrated social media platforms to help you learn more about issues relating to Arab citizens of Israel and support those pursuing a shared society in Israel. Please friend us, follow us and check out the resources on the website to keep up-to-date with Task Force news and events. To launch the site, we are featuring an exclusive op-ed from Mike Prashker, the Director of Merchavim, on why pursuing equality is a Zionist endeavour. You can read it here.
We have also been busy with events over the summer months, hosting speakers from the Abraham Fund, the YMCA in Jerusalem and Kav Mashve, an organisation devoted to helping Arab graduates get the jobs they deserve. The highlight of the summer was our “Hummus and Halakhah” session at Limmud Fest with Clive Lawton and Rabbi Natan Levy, when seventy people turned out to learn what the Torah can teach us about engaging with Arab citizens of Israel.
Our work with youth movements has also kept us busy, with several Israel tour groups visiting relevant projects and summer camps integrating educational sessions on the issues.
We are looking forward to a busy Autumn-Winter period at the Task Force with speakers including the UK Ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould; Aya ben Amos from the Abraham Fund Initiatives; and Rabbi Professor Naftali Rothenberg, from the Van Leer Insititue in Jerusalem. Make sure you check out our website and Facebook page frequently so as not to miss these exciting events.
Best wishes,
Alice Wood, Director, UK Task Force |
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New website launched: We are delighted to announce the launch of our new-look website, which now includes more information on our activities, a full index of our Israeli colleagues and educational resources for youth movements and others interested in educating on Arab citizens of Israel. Check it out at www.uktaskforce.org. 
Youth engagement update: Over the summer months, the Task Force has been working with Jewish youth movements on their educational programming for Israel tour and summer camp, to provide new opportunities to engage with issues relating to Arab citizens of Israel. On the right is a picture of RSY-Netzer’s visit to the Lakiya Weaving Project in the Negev, to meet with Bedouin women and learn more about their work to create positive change from within their communities.
House of Lords mention: In the House of Lords debate on recent developments in the Middle East on 13 July 2012,Lord Stone said that: "In the field of high-tech, this week, here in your Lordships' House, a UK Task Force... led by Alice Wood hosted some enlightened Israeli Arabs and Jews from the Nazareth region who have formed an organisation called Tsofen, which means code, with whom we are working to enable Arab citizens of Israel to use their entrepreneurialism in the high-tech field to break the code, to integrate their people better into Israeli society and business networks to create wealth for their community." To read more, see Column 1379. |
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The Arab Higher Monitoring Committee for the first time chose not to call for a general strike to mark the anniversary of the 2000 riots, out of concern that they would not receive sufficient public support. Thousands of Arabs did however march in Sakhnin and in cities and villages across the country to protest the failure of the state to prosecute anyone for the deaths of the twelve Arabs and one Palestinian killed in clashes with Israeli police forces at the start of the Second Intifada. Read more 
The Ministry of Education has backed a new ground-breaking project by the Abraham Fund Initiatives to teach Arab school students about Jewish Israeli culture through film. Read more
Sami Saadi, the co-founder and director of Tsofen, has been chosen by Hebrew Economic magazine "The Marker" as one of the 100 most influential persons in Israel. Tsofen High Technology Centres is a non-governmental organisation working to integrate Arab graduates into high-tech and other advanced industries. Read more |
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The UK Task Force hosted a discussion with Clive Lawton and Rabbi Natan Levy at Limmud Fest on Sunday 26 August.
The packed room took part in a fascinating discussion about what lessons can be taken from the Torah about how we can engage with Arab citizens of Israel. In a very original session, Clive and Rabbi Natan spoke thoughtfully about the Halakhic underpinnings to their own approaches, and how audience members could approach the issue. Audience members were also able to enjoy sampling different types of Jewish and Arab falafel and hummus. Read more |
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Advocating for Jewish-Arab equality in Israeli society with Aya Ben-Amos from The Abraham Fund Initiatives
The UK Task Force, in conjunction with Young UK Friends of the Abraham Fund Initiatives and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, warmly invites you to a young professionals reception and discussion with Knesset lobbyist, Aya Ben-Amos, at the Board of Deputies of British Jews on Wednesday 7th November from 6.30-8.00 pm.
For more details click here, or to RSVP email Charlotte on charlotte@uktaskforce.org / 020 7443 5156. |
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