Mada’s Gender Studies Program director Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian co-authored an article entitled “Funding Pain: Bedouin Women and Political Economy in the Naqab/Negev” with Himmat Zu’bi, Antonina Griecci and Rachel Busbridge. The article was published in Routledge’s Feminist Economics Journal (Volume 20: Issue 4).

This article explores how the economy of international funding for local nongovernmental organizations impacts Palestinian activism and resistance inside the state of Israel. In particular, the authors examine Orientalist assumptions held by donors regarding Bedouin women who live in unrecognized villages in the Naqab desert. Lacking historical and political awareness of Israeli settler colonialism and Palestinian dispossession, funding agencies instead view individual problems and cultural deficiencies as at the root of Bedouin women’s struggles. By bringing Bedouin women’s voices to the forefront of their analysis, the authors challenge the political economy of state violence against these women’s communities and consider how donors’ perceptions of Bedouin culture and gender roles can reinforce the state’s oppressive structures.

To download and read the article, please click here.

Mada’s Israel Studies Program releases a new research paper as part of Mada Files issue #2: “Forms of Israeli Violence Against Palestinians”

On 9/9/2015, the Israel Studies Program at Mada al-Carmel issued a research paper entitled “Attitudes of Palestinians in Israel: Government Performance, Issues of Equality and Democracy, and Peace Negotiations.” The paper was prepared by Dr. Aas Atrash and Dr. Ameed Saabneh as part of the second issue of the Mada Files publication, entitled “Forms of Israeli Violence Against Palestinians.”

The paper analyzes the results of a public opinion poll administered to Palestinian citizens of Israel by Mada al-Carmel. This poll, conducted during May 2014, was intended to gauge the attitudes of Palestinians in Israel regarding their treatment by the Israeli government (in place since the 2013 Knesset elections). It evaluates the extent to which Palestinians in Israel feel that they are treated equally with Israeli Jewish citizens and the extent to which they perceive discrimination. It also considers Palestinian citizens’ attitudes regarding incidents of racially motivated violence, as well as their views on means of addressing racism.

Moreover, the poll assesses the opinions of Palestinian citizens toward peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, evaluating their perceptions on the Israeli government’s commitment or lack of commitment to reaching a peaceful political solution. It also gauges their stances on various potential models for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Government performance

The results of the opinion poll demonstrate that Palestinians in Israel regard the government as treating Arab and Jewish citizens differently. They perceive the government as performing well with regards to issues faced by Jewish citizens, but performing badly with regards to the Arab population.

Whereas 74% of respondents described the government’s performance toward Jewish citizens as ‘excellent,’ only 6% of respondents stated the same with regards to its performance toward Arab citizens.

Moreover, whereas a mere 2% of respondents described the government’s performance toward Jewish citizens as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad,’ 35% described the government’s performance toward Arabs as such.

Equality and discrimination

The poll addressed respondents’ perceptions of equality or lack of equality in several social situations, including: in interactions with law enforcement officials, in interactions with civil servants, in the workplace, and in airports.

The results demonstrate that Palestinian citizens of Israel perceive different degrees of discrimination in different spheres of Israeli society.

Respondents felt the strongest degree of discrimination at airports and checkpoints, with 50% claiming that unequal treatment occurred in these venues. They felt a lower degree of discrimination when using public transportation services, with 45% of respondents claiming that they received equal treatment in this sphere.

A large majority of those surveyed (67%) did not agree with the statement, “the government wants us to be equal with Jewish citizens.”

Racism

42% of respondents claimed that they were personally subjected to racism. 47% stated that the government intends to increase anti-Arab racism, with 16% suggesting that the government intends to reduce it. 81% of respondents stated that the Israeli government is discriminatory toward Palestinian citizens.

Responsibility for racist attacks

A large percentage of respondents (84%) believed that the government bears responsibility for attacks on mosques and churches by ‘price-tag’ groups. In addition, 82% of respondents attributed responsibility for these attacks to extremist political parties, 78% to organized hostile groups, and 82% to the perpetrators as individuals.

Israel’s democracy

The survey also examined the positions of respondents toward the claim that Israel is a democratic state. 72% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Israel is only a democratic state for Jews.” Equally, 65% of respondents disagreed with the statement, “Israel is a democratic state for Arabs.” Thus, a majority of those surveyed viewed Israel as an ethnocracy rather than a democracy.

Peace negotiations

The majority of respondents (76%) stated that the Likud government led by Benjamin Netanyahu (in place since the 2013 elections) was not interested in peace. 71% claimed that this government was not interested in the continuation of negotiations with the Palestinians in order to reach a peace agreement.

85% of respondents opposed ceding the right of return as a means of achieving peace with Israel. Moreover, 94% opposed giving up Jerusalem in return for peace. 83% of respondents stated that Israel should dismantle the settlements in return for peace with the Palestinians. 82% of those surveyed stated that the “Lieberman Plan,” i.e. the proposal to annex the central region of Israel known as “The Triangle” to a newly formed Palestinian state, was unacceptable to them. 79% viewed this proposal as racist. The majority of respondents (68%) rejected the notion that Palestinians should recognize Israel as a Jewish state in order to resume negotiations.

The survey results demonstrate divergences of opinion among Palestinians in Israel with regards to the feasibility of the one-state and two-state models as solutions to the conflict. 63% of respondents stated that the two-state solution along the 1967 borders would constitute a realistic resolution to the conflict, while 40% stated that a single, bi-national state would be a realistic resolution.

The percentage of respondents who strongly agreed with the claim that a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would be reached in the next five years was a mere 9%.

To read and download the research paper (available in Arabic only), please click here.

Mada al-Carmel – Arab Center for Applied Social Research in Haifa – will hold its second conference for Palestinian PhD students on April 15-16, 2016 in Haifa. The conference aims at supporting Palestinian PhD students to present their research, to provide them with research tools that enable them to participate in scientific and professional conferences, and to strengthen their writing and presentational abilities in Arabic. In general, it aims to provide a common ground that allows Palestinian students to interact, network, and exchange expertise among each other as well as with senior academic experts known for their research experience and social responsibility.

Mada’s first conference for Palestinian PhD students took place in August 2011. The two conferences are organized within the framework of PhD activities that Mada al-Carmel carries out, which primarily attempt to expand the critical perspectives of Palestinian PhD students and guide their scientific writing and professional development, in order to enable them to pursue their future careers. The first conference included 17 presentations by PhD students studying at different local and international universities; the presentations were organized within 4 sessions constituting different topics from humanities, social sciences, and law; and several Palestinian professors and academics participated as chairs or commentators. It is important to note that the second conference will take place on two consecutive days and, in addition to the student’s presentations, will constitute of workshops, meetings with Palestinian academics, and cultural activities that promote cooperation and networking.

PhD students as well as Palestinian PhD graduates (who have earned their doctor title within the past three years) in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and law, from local and international universities are invited to send an application by 30/11/2015 to Dr. Manar Mahmoud via email at the following address: manar@mada-research.org

Applications should include:

1.     A summary of the PhD dissertation or paper abstract (up to 500 words).

2.     CV

Selected candidates will be notified by 30/12/2015.

Mada al-Carmel will assist in covering hosting expenses and will partially cover transportation expenses for those travelling from abroad, if needed.

Academic Committee

Professor Michael Karayanni, Faculty of Law, Hebrew University

Dr. Ayman Agbaria, Faculty of Education, Haifa University

Dr. Manar Hasan, Gender Studies Program, Ben Gurion University

Conference coordinator

Dr. Manar Mahmoud, Mada Al-Carmel & Department of International Relations, Hebrew University

Mada al-Carmel – Arab Center for Applied Social Research in Haifa – will hold its second conference for Palestinian PhD students on April 15-16, 2016 in Haifa. The conference aims at supporting Palestinian PhD students to present their research, to provide them with research tools that enable them to participate in scientific and professional conferences, and to strengthen their writing and presentational abilities in Arabic. In general, it aims to provide a common ground that allows Palestinian students to interact, network, and exchange expertise among each other as well as with senior academic experts known for their research experience and social responsibility.

Mada’s first conference for Palestinian PhD students took place in August 2011. The two conferences are organized within the framework of PhD activities that Mada al-Carmel carries out, which primarily attempt to expand the critical perspectives of Palestinian PhD students and guide their scientific writing and professional development, in order to enable them to pursue their future careers. The first conference included 17 presentations by PhD students studying at different local and international universities; the presentations were organized within 4 sessions constituting different topics from humanities, social sciences, and law; and several Palestinian professors and academics participated as chairs or commentators. It is important to note that the second conference will take place on two consecutive days and, in addition to the student’s presentations, will constitute of workshops, meetings with Palestinian academics, and cultural activities that promote cooperation and networking.

PhD students as well as Palestinian PhD graduates (who have earned their doctor title within the past three years) in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and law, from local and international universities are invited to send an application by 30/11/2015 to Dr. Manar Mahmoud via email at the following address: manar@mada-research.org

Applications should include:

1.     A summary of the PhD dissertation or paper abstract (up to 500 words).

2.     CV

Selected candidates will be notified by 30/12/2015.

Mada al-Carmel will assist in covering hosting expenses and will partially cover transportation expenses for those travelling from abroad, if needed.

Academic Committee

Professor Michael Karayanni, Faculty of Law, Hebrew University

Dr. Ayman Agbaria, Faculty of Education, Haifa University

Dr. Manar Hasan, Gender Studies Program, Ben Gurion University

Conference coordinator

Dr. Manar Mahmoud, Mada Al-Carmel & Department of International Relations, Hebrew University

The 23^rd issue of Mada al-Carmel’s Jadal electronic magazine was edited by Mohanad Mustafa and Areen Hawari. This issue discusses the proposed Israeli bill entitled “Basic Law proposal: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People.” It is the first edition of Jadal magazine in its new format.  As with previous editions of Jadal, this and coming issues will address a central theme, but will also include additional articles dealing with other themes that are consistent with Jadal’s objective to serve as an intellectual platform for the discussion of social, political and cultural issues.

1. Editorial

Areen Hawari and Mohanad Mustafa

2. Feature

“Enforcing Racism in Israel: A Case Study of Israel’s Proposed ‘Nationality Law’” – Amal Jamal

“The Proposals of the Nationality Law and Their Implications for the Legal Status of the Arab Citizens” – Sawsan Zaher

“The Nation-State Law and Jewish Supremacy” – Yousef Tayseer Jabareen

“‘The Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People’ from the Perspective of International Law” – Sonia Boulos

3. Additional Articles

“The Violence of the New Palestinian Non-Violent Discourse” – Abaher El-Sakka

“Netanyahu and Mass Psychology” – Ashraf Othman Bader

Articles from the Jadal publication are available in Arabic on the Mada al-Carmel website. To view this issue, click here.

Call for Papers

Mada al-Carmel—Arab Center for Applied Social Research, recognizes the importance of focusing attention on the economic policies effecting Palestinian women and shedding light on the economic conditions of Palestinian women in Israel. Therefore, we are pleased to announce this Call for Papers which invites researchers from the academic disciplines of economics, political science, sociology, and law, to submit research papers regarding the economic status and employment of Palestinian women in Israel; and the Israeli policies that are applicable to these areas. Accepted papers will be published as part of “Mada’s Files.”

The topics proposed for the Files include the following:

1.   Policies put forward for the integration of Arab women in labor markets.

2.  Arab women in high-tech industries.

3.  The impact of women’s economic initiatives for improving economic and employment conditions among Arab women.

4.  The economic situation of Arab women in the Negev.

5.   Discussion and/or analyses of economic data concerning Arab women.

Please note the following guidelines:

1.  The paper is to be written and published in Arabic or English, with the possibility of some papers being translated into English or Arabic.

2.   The paper shall not exceed 4,000 words.

3.   Selected authors will receive a modest financial reward of $300, in exchange for their work.

4.  Papers should be written using a clear academic style, however authors should also keep in mind that the target audience includes readers from the non-academic public.

5.   Authors may choose topics not included above, but must receive approval to do so in advance from the program coordinator.

6.  Please direct further inquiries about submissions to the following e-mail address: inas.khateeb@mada-research.org

Important dates:

1. 30.06.2015: Deadline for abstract submissions (up to 500 words).

2. 10.07.2015: Notification of acceptance sent to authors.

3. 30.09.2015: Final submission of research papers.

For a PDF Version

Looking forward to your contributions!

Respectfully,

Mtanes Shihadeh

Israel Studies Program Coordinator at Mada al-Carmel

Zahalka and Odeh: “The Joint List Can Establish a Palestinian National Congress in Israel Similar to the ANC”

Mada al-Carmel held a workshop on the future of Arab political coalitions in Israel and the role of the Joint List on Friday May 22^nd, 2015, with the participation of MKs Dr. Jamal Zahalka and Mr. Ayman Odeh from the Joint List. The discussion was facilitated by Professor Nadim Rouhana, the founding director of Mada al-Carmel.

Professor Rouhana discussed issues regarding the formation of coalitions between Arab political parties with divergent ideologies. He considered whether the constituent parties in the Joint List would be able to unify under the banner of a common agenda, while also raising questions about how researchers can contribute to the Joint List’s policy development process.

MK Ayman Odeh claimed that the program of the Joint List was electorally oriented and contained clear short-term objectives. He suggested that the success of the Joint List was a goal that all of its constituent parties shared. He proposed that the Joint List should work on issues of importance to Palestinians across the ideological spectrum.

Both Joint List leaders expressed the desire to work through differences in the List with the hope of establishing a Palestinian institution similar to the ANC.

To view a report of this event (available in Arabic), click here.

In continuance of its agenda of promoting excellence and creativity among the Palestinian people and heritage among the community, and as a token of respect to institutions that have accomplished unique goals in assistance of the social, cultural, and economic development of the Palestinian people, as well as to pioneering individuals working in service of Palestine, the Welfare Association distributed its awards for 2014 in Haifa on Wednesday June 3^rd, 2015.

Mada received the Welfare Association’s SaNakon Yawman Ma Nureed (One Day We Will Be What We Wish) award for accomplishment, dedicated to the late Abdel Aziz al-Shakhshir.

Mada received this award in recognition of its excellence in the field of academic production on historical, political, social, and economic issues faced by the Palestinians in Israel.

Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, the director of the GSP, opened the panel with a lecture connecting the historical experiences of women living under the Zionist legal system imposed during the Nakba to the present-day hardships faced by Palestinian women in the West Bank.

Mrs. Aida Issawi, the director of the Jerusalem office of the Women’s Studies Centre, discussed the hardships faced by Palestinian women living in Jerusalem as a result of violence from both soldiers and settlers.

Dr. Suhad Daher-Nashef, the co-ordinator of the GSP, spoke about access to justice for Palestinian women living within Israel’s 1948 borders, presenting the procedure and key findings of a research study conducted by the GSP’s Women’s Access to Justice Project.

Following these presentations, Sawsan Zaher, a lawyer from Adalah, remarked on the importance of maintaining a holistic point of view for understanding women’s status in the justice system.

To view a summary of this event (available in Arabic), click here.

“The Results of the Israeli Parliamentary Elections of 2015: A New Political Era”

On April 17^th, 2015, Mada al-Carmel & The Arab Cultural Association hosted a joint study day to discuss the results of the Israeli Knesset elections. The study day, intended to provide a venue for the exchange of multiple views regarding the election results, was comprised of two sessions: “The Discourse of the Joint List” and “Israel After the 2015 Election.”

Speakers in the first session included Dr. Mtanes Shehadeh, the co-ordinator of Mada’s Israel Studies Program, Kobi Niv, a journalist with Ha’aretz, and Jackie Khoury, a journalist with numerous media outlets. The session was facilitated by Dr. Manar Mahmoud, from Mada al-Carmel.

Speakers in the second session included Professor Gadi Algazi, Dr. Hunaida Ghanem, Dr. Mohanad Mustafa, and Dr. Mahmoud Muhareb. The session was facilitated by Areej Sabbagh-Khoury.

To view a summary of the study day (available in Arabic), click here.