Mossawa Center

Established in October 1997, Mossawa promotes equality for the Arab minority living in Israel.[1] Mossawa is a Non Governmental Organization operating in Haifa, Israel.[2] In Arabic, "mossawa" means "equality" confirming the purpose of the organization, to promote the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the Arab minority living in Israel.[3]

Social and Economic Justice

Arab citizens have been left behind in the development of the Israeli state.[4] Mossawa monitors the State Budget and prepares reports demonstrating the discrimination against Arabs implicit in the distribution of services.[5]

In August 2015 Mossawa helped to organize a student strike in advance of the start of the school year over government discrimination in terms of providing budgets to meet the needs of Arab citizens of Israel. Jafar Farah reportedly explained, “We want the government to take responsibility for the future of Arab citizens of Israel because we pay taxes like everyone else.”[6]

Legal Justice

Mossawa takes on legal cases supporting the Arab minority as in the case of the unrecognized neighborhood, Wadi Suya'h, in Haifa.[7] Mossawa joined other organizations in those arrested for demonstrating against the Prawer-Begin Plan in the Arab town of Sakhneen on July 15, 2013.[8]

Youth

Mossawa also works closely with youth.[9] Youth come to visit and work in local communities and learn about Palestinian culture, customs and heritage.[10]

Jewish State Law

Mossawa stands with the left in Israel, and other Arab organizations in rejecting legislation which would further recognize Israel as the Jewish State. [11] [12]

They have called upon the Israeli Arab community to boycott the Foreign Ministry on previous occasion. [13]

References

  1. B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, Last Visited on October 15, 2013, http://www.btselem.org/about_btselem/human_rights_sites
  2. WANGO: Connecting and Serving NGOs Beyond Borders, Last Visited on October 16, 2013, http://www.wango.org/resources.aspx?section=ngodir&sub=list&regionID=145&col=51ae63
  3. Idealist Organization, Last Visited on October 16, 2013, http://www.idealist.org/view/nonprofit/PcB6GXSJ6SXd/
  4. Gad Lior, OECD: Haredi, Arab integration insufficient, "Ynet News," May 23, 2013, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4383139,00.html
  5. The Mossawa Center will monitor the allocation of 1.8 billion shekels for the Arab community, "The Mossawa Center", last visited on October 16, 2013, http://www.mossawacenter.org/en/item.asp?aid=1090
  6. The Central Court Rejects a Request to Issue a Precautionary Order to Freeze the Approval for the Plan in the Neighborhood of Wadi Suya'h, "Arab Center for Alternative Planning," July 19, 2013, http://www.ac-ap.org/The-Central-Court-Rejects-a-Request-to-Issue-a-Precautionary-Order-to-Freeze-the-Approval-for-the-Plan-in-the-Neighborhood-of-Wadi-Suya-h.html
  7. District Court Appeal against Extension of Detention of Anti-Prawer Protestors in Sakhneen, Hearing at 13:30, "Adalah," July 17, 2013, http://www.adalah.org/eng/Articles/2186/District-Court-Appeal-against-Extension-of-of-in-at
  8. International Volunteer Program in Palestinian Communities in Israel, "Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign," last visited Oct 16, 2013, http://www.ipsc.ie/event/palestineisrael-international-volunteer-program-in-palestinian-communities-in-israel-mossawa-center
  9. Id.
  10. http://www.jpost.com/Christiahttp://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Arabs-strongly-reject-Jewish-State-bill-but-some-Druse-show-support-381968n-News/Its-hard-to-be-a-Christian-in-Israel-but-not-because-of-prejudice-395467
  11. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1007/Israel-loyalty-oath-bill-stirs-Arab-Israeli-unease
  12. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/1,7340,L-3869105,00.html
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