Annual Report 2010

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ANNUAL REPORT 2010

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Contents

A WORD FROM THE BOARD 4

I. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT 6

II. PALESTINIANS IN ISRAEL: THE LOST HUMAN SECURITY 8

1- INTRODUCTION 82- ARABS IN ISRAEL – ZERO PROSPECTS AND LESS SECURITY 103- MISSING SECURITY 12

III. SPHERES OF OPERATION 13

A. EDUCATION 13 A.1. HEALTH EDUCATION 13 A.2. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 16 A.3. SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION 16B. RESEARCH 18 B.1. SOCIAL RESEARCH 19 B.2. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 20C. CAPACITY BUILDING 28 C.1. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 28 C.2. RIKAZ DATABANK TRAININGS 32 C.3. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES 33D. COMMUNITY SERVICE 34E. LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY 36 E.1. COMMUNAL EFFORTS 36 E.2. NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS 40 E.3. INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY 43

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IV. PUBLICATIONS 44

1. PUBLICATIONS – THE INSTITUTE OF APPLIED RESEARCH 44 I. PUBLISHED ARTICLES 45 II. BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS 452. OTHER PUBLICATIONS 45

V. UNDER DEVELOPMENT 46

HEALTH RIGHTS CENTER 46ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CENTER 47RIKAZ DATABANK CENTER 48INSTITUTE OF APPLIED RESEARCH 49

VI. FINANCIAL RECORDS 50

VII. OUR SUPPORTERS 52

VIII. BOARD AND STAFF 54


This report presents a brief summary of the Galilee Society’s most important activities and

achievements are a cumulative result of the Galilee

within the Palestinian community in Israel.

contributed to an increase in violence as well as

an acute lack of community infrastructure and limited employment opportunities for women. In spite of all of the obstacles to development for the Palestinian community in Israel’s internal and

believe that Israeli society as a whole – inclusive of

developmental initiatives that are based on

The Galilee Society’s work is built around a

various community stakeholders are one of the

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support of the victims of the Haiti earthquake. In

all people.

Galilee Society is determined to move forward with its development initiatives

Israel.

Ms. Roseland Daem Mr. Baker Awawdy

“Collaborating helps to establish a dynamic society in support of justice,

individuals”


Organizational StructureVision and Mission

[I]

The Galilee Society – The Arab National Society

service solutions for the underserved Palestinian

up approaches to sustainable development

communities.

Keenly aware of the myriad internal and external

sustainable future.

The principal aim of the Galilee Society is to

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The Galilee Society works in two distinct spheres; our General Program is comprised of four professional departments: the Health Rights Center, Environmental Justice Center, Rikaz Databank Center and the Naqab (Negev) Department. Our Strategic Projects include the Institute for Applied Research and the Medicinal Plant Center for Research and Education (Al-Maissam).


Palestinians in IsraelThe Lost Human Security

Baker Awawdy General Director

[II]

1- Introduction

countries. The latter have limited the term’s scope

from the state itself.

human security is pivotal in the formation of plans for future social development. The disproportionate distribution of wealth and national resources worldwide is simply another result of economic

due to a lack of equal opportunities and human

development obstacles faced by individuals and

this term down to the various elements of security

of the kinds of threats that face individuals and

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it from analysis to initiative should also make it

of comprehensive security and the protections

human security concerns faced by the Palestinian

Economic Security refers to a lack of equal

includes the exclusion of Arab towns from

Health Security

and the inequality of services offered to the rich and poor. There also exists a lack of

health services in the Arab community and

wide spread phenomena such as chain

Environmental Security refers to the poor

environmental education.Communal and Individual Security refers

structures without alternatives.Political Security

Cultural Security

folkloric curiosity whose cultural and artistic activity is viewed as inferior and not worthy of investment by the state.Existential Security refers to expulsion from the country. This has been the lot of Palestinians since 1948 and continues in such

There is no doubt that the concept of human

our abuse of natural resources.


2- Arabs in Israel – Zero Prospects and Less Security

Since the Nakba of the Palestinian people and the establishment of Israel on the remains of their

considers its Arab minority an internal threat to

should be heavily monitored. Arabs in Israel have

cultural and political structures of the State and

in Israel have adopted an approach whereby

Israel as a democracy must not favor one ethnicity

until the next demolition? The only help popular committees receive is visits by representatives

The same is true in the area of unemployment and poverty. Half of the Arab minority in Israel lives below the poverty line unable to buy basic

lives of Arabs with many institutions of political

infrastructures for social institutions that could

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whereby Arabs in Israel are in desperate need of security and political and social stability. The

The Arab community in Israel needs to feel secure

security in its widest form. The State’s bias

the basic axis from which all other demands for

people’s outlook. This approach rests upon the

for Israel’s Arabs and an immediate and drastic


3- Missing Security

sharp and constant rise in expressions of racism

The amount of discriminatory laws passed in Israel in the past decade shows that racism in Israel is

little sense of safety and security they had in all

trust in the State and its institutions on the one

institutions. Many of the cases of corruption in our local councils are considered a matter for

blame the Ministry for the failure and collapse of

council corruption. The same is true in education.

publications show the severe underachievement of

and directors of our educational institutions.

Most factions of our society live under such political

their situation. The lack of equal opportunities in

their own lack of developmental vision and reliance

questions and represents what we believe can and

and take a more active role to better our reality.

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Spheres of Operation

[III]

are prominent examples of our 2010 educational activities and

A.1. Health EducationMainstreaming Drug Prevention Palestinian youth harms the

A. Education

approach to development.

numerous topics that are often absent from the mainstream

experiences and tailored to the

experts and follow up with current trends and approaches


severely from this problem. Various audiences

of local authorities and hundreds of students

methods of prevention at the individual and communal level. The Galilee Society believes that

and more prosperous community and will be

closely.

Utilization of “A Door to Life” - The First Arabic Film to Raise Awareness to Breast Cancer

in Israel are on the rise and an additional 4000 Arab women contract the disease annually. The

some of women’s fears and misconceptions

HIV/AIDS Awareness Initiative – The Palestinian community in Israel is still quite conservative

and prevention is unquestionable. The GS has

education in Arab schools with over three years of

efforts include the provision of lectures in schools

implemented around International AIDS Day.

cooperation with the Israel AIDS Association with the participation of a hundred counselors and

Reem, a participant in the GS

“

The researchers here work in many

impossible.“

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which were disseminated in schools.

Patients’ Rights Publications

updated educational material in Arabic on the

material was distributed to health institutes and

that suffers structural discrimination and health

Patients’ Rights Study Day

conducted a study day in the Naqab to raise

the limited access to healthcare services for Arab

placed on those in need of these services and

healthcare system.

A. 2. Environmental Education


conducted lectures in all of the schools (61 schools

Protection. Schools also received composters and

the coordinators connected the schools’

paper and batteries and then either reuse them internally (i.e. create art from waste to decorate

schools were awarded the status and received

and materials to students from all over the country.

environment friendly life styles and tools to protect

Environmental Cleaning Day – in order to

the municipality helped clean public spaces and

on the importance of environmental preservation.

The GS considers science education pivotal to the

nd Israel

festival in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry

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of the Institute. The participants were particularly

use of wastewater for everyday needs.

heard an explanation about each laboratory and participated in presentations by the Institute’s M.Sc. students and research assistants. It was the a remarkable impact on their academic pursuits.

Director of Special Education

“Our school was founded over ten

such activities. I thank the Galilee Society for this initiative.”


B. Research

the only Arab NGOs in Israel to combine research

RIKAZ DATABANK CENTER

world experience an interconnected existence

this information for an informed and educated

An acute lack of reliable information and data about the Palestinian minority in Israel led to

levels within the Palestinian population. In

statistics about the Palestinian minority in Israel.

scholarly relationships with other research

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it is research that derives from the community and

discriminatory mechanisms within the state.

B.1. Social Research

Survey –

depth study conducted every three years about the Palestinian minority in Israel. The 2010 survey

and culture and public order. Some of the unique

sensitivity of the survey to distinct types of localities

Gender Minority Mainstreaming Research (GMM) –

of these women take part in Israel’s labor force

women.

statistical areas (North, Haifa, South

participated, which constitute


which all relevant sources were reviewed and the

Arab Knesset members and divided into relevant

assessment and problem statement.

researchers submitted 30 new research proposals to both local and international research funds and were

research under the supervision of the Institute’s researchers in collaboration with researchers from

labs under the supervision of its researchers.

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THE INSTITUTE OF APPLIED RESEARCH

Palestinian students are less inclined to study

professional and employment opportunities for

into academics’ employment in universities

of the lack of equal opportunities on the one

the other.

initiatives and industry. The Institute’s research

needs and is committed to cooperation with

development and enhancement of economic opportunities for the Arab community.

its research activity has been devoted to explore cost effective and sustainable treatment

on antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants

hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome in the Palestinian community.


THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CENTER

The Arab Palestinian minority in Israel experiences

into consideration that Palestinians constitute

The Galilee Society views proper environmental

public’s awareness to the importance of

as well and promote the attainment of their

the needs and realities of our community.

Research projects approved for funding during 2010

1. Constructed Wetlands and UV Disinfection for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Small Communities.

wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment and UV systems for disinfection and reuse of

2. Sustainable Treatment of Reject Streams and Emerging Micro-pollutants from Wastewater.

, the overall aim of this research to test the feasibility of different

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advanced oxidation processes for the treatment for safe disposal.

3. : Optimization Methodology for Treatment of Agro-industrial Wastes and Enhancement of Biogas Production at Anaerobic Digesters.

production and to offer an appropriate treatment

4.

Dominant Hypercholesterolemia and Metabolic Syndrome in a Large Inbreeding Arab Family with Prominent Ischemic Heart Disease

the hypercholesterolemia and the MetS in this

are responsible for hypercholesterolemia and for the MetS traits in the family.

5. Cultivation of Microalgae in Olive Mill and Anaerobic Digestion

Bio-fuel Production

and experience to accelerate the isolation and

6. The Use of Natural Compounds for Impairing Nematode Egg Production as a Means to Combat Worm Infection in Small Ruminantsthree years and in collaboration with Volcani

identify the polyphenolic compounds from different plant species and their effect on

nematodes in animals.

Medicinal Plants, Medical and Food Microbiology, and Agriculture

1. Examination of Recovery and Use of Polyphenoles from Olive Wastes for Innovative Products.

for the duration

in collaboration with the Technical University

production of economical and environmentally safe antioxidants and antimicrobial products with innovative uses.

2. Medicinal Pants - A


Potential Source for Antimicrobial and Antipathogenic Compounds. by MOST for the duration of three years

of medical importance.

3. Pistacia Lentiscus as a Natural Drug against Gastro-Intestinal Worms in Goats.

extract multiple phenol compounds from the plant Pistacia Lentiscus and study their curative

4. Utilization of Olive Oil Waste Water Ingredients for a Bio-control Preservation of Food & the Biological Control of Storage Diseases using Bioactive Safe Ingredients from Olive Mill Wastewater

production of economical and environmentally

Environmental Microbiology, Engineering and Biotechnology

1. Persistent Organic matter, Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and

Pathogens in Treated Wastewater and

Effects, Treatment, and Removal for Sustainable Reuse. An infrastructure research funded by MOST for approximately

in collaboration with 8 Israeli research focuses

2. Endocrine Disrupting Activity of Steroid Hormones and their Biodegradation in Treated Domestic and Swine Wastewaters.

research are to determine the fate of synthetic

surface soil contaminated with swine wastes

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3. Decentralized Wastewater

Intermittent Sand Filter (ISF).

low cost and simple to operate wastewater treatment. The developed system will be tested

4. Low-Cost High Surface Area Carbonaceous Materials (HSACM) for

sites remediation.

Renewable Energy

1. Production of Bio-ethanol from Agricultural Wastes

production of economical and environmentally

2. Recombinant Yeasts for Effective Ethanol Production from Olive


Mill Solid Wastes.

ethanol.

Human Genetics and Bioinformatics

1. :

Characterization of Obese and Lean Arab Groups from the Galilee. In collaboration

for the duration of approximately three years

biochemical database for families with obesity

new alterations at the cell level.

2.

and Support Vector Machines.

information with recursive feature elimination

3. Micro-RNA Gene Target Predictions.research for the duration of 2 years

, the main

International Meetings

Pistacia lentiscus.

Conferences th

Sabbah talked about the effect of photocatalytic

th

a lecture on the evaluation of the hydraulic

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Dr. Isam Sabbah participated in the 38th Israeli

and adsorption processes on the removal of

treatment systems.

At the Medicinal Plant Conference held in

Pistacia

lentiscus

Khalifa presented his results in a poster entitled

Predictions in the 13th

th International Symposium on


C. Capacity Building

efforts are deeply rooted in our stakeholders’ need to expand the tools at their disposal that may help them better serve their communities.

invitation to partners of all kinds to partake in

lead and shape their realities.

C.1. Environmental Justice

Professionals and Leaders of Local Authorities – Solid waste is one of the main environmental issues in the Palestinian community today. Its

introduced the situation of solid waste in the

The workshop included lectures and site visits and

authorities from Israel and their counterparts in

Environmental Training for Islamic Leaders - Imams –

for Imamsenvironmentalism and provide them the tools to

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their implementation of tools they acquired and

develop additional practical tools that my be used

Accredited Courses for Teachers –

participated in 3 courses that totalled 56 hours. This

Imams Training Quotes: “The things I saw and heard here in the last three

impact my behavior both professionally and personally.”


participants with new tools to teach students and

met with the teachers and learned how to instill

Community Organizing, Local Residents Committees – One of the most effective

with select representatives and increases their

Palestinian community.

over the councils to halt the diversion of waste

years of futile complaints to the authorities by the

should the matter not be resolved immediately. The councils complied and decontaminated the

and assist with other internal social matters such

within educational institutes. The model’s proven success also prompted the establishment of similar

with a total of over 200 participants who elected

to provide the residents with a comprehensive

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of their land. The discussion was attended by

was put on hold and the Ministry of Interior –

with local residents.

Environmental Responsibility of the Arab Private Sector –

environmentally responsible. Three types of businesses were selected as pilot – a Super Pharm

an introductory session wherein the parameters of

frontal lectures and workshops that provide the

coordinators continue to accompany the business

business to relevant companies that collect their

owners, managers and employees participated in

in expenses on water and electricity and a similar percentage decrease in waste production.


with the chain owners to present the branch’s

owners and employees participated in two

adapted to each type of business present in the

C.2. Rikaz Databank TrainingsTraining for Civil Society

provide civil society actors with the capacities to

expose them to principles and terms in social

and equal opportunities for Palestinian women

communal prosperity.

Training Journalists on Gender-sensitive Budgeting and Economic Media Reporting

in particular. A special emphasis was placed on

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connections between economy and media and

C.3. Organizational Capacity Building Initiatives

nurture its staff and provide it with the increased

about breast cancer

with IDASA staff

week course with the South African NGO IDASA

concepts and acquire basic skills that will enhance

indicators. IDASA has extensive experience in

Individual Professional – in November the

Seminars – the Institute

th

Civil Society Training Quote: “I didn’t expect

opportunities for such meetings in the future”.


March 11th

April 21st

May 13th

June 6th

D. Community Service

responsibility and provide for the community’s immediate needs.

Villages

the Mobile Clinic staff attended to approximately

The Mobile Clinic is always staffed with a nurse

and Khseini. Due to their remote locations and

in need will receive adequate services. In places where a permanent clinic was established by the

Galilee Society collaborates with other NGOS

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are often reluctant to relocate from the north.

The Aid & Relief Committee

from Palestinian schoolchildren to support

earthquake. In a special ceremony held in March

Haiti’s children in need.

Ramadan

local Palestinian communities in Israel.


E. Lobbying and Advocacy

Galilee Society considers itself a partner rather than the voice of the community and as such maintains

local residents committee or local lawyers who can

we make sure to receive the community’s written

E.1. Communal EffortsThe Green Line

the Green Line enables residents to submit

to address it.

Women’s Health Rights Center conducted a series of lectures about

Hussania and Majd al-Krum where over 30 participants received information about National Health Insurance and

Supreme Court Petition Against Restrictions Set on Arab Teachers

Arabic exam. Those not tested will be omitted from

the exam will see an increase of 15 bonus points

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(which improve their chances of

months after the decision was

most common profession

with the teachers in the north.

their concerns and provide the lawyer with additional information about the test

The staff documented some of the stories and collected

approval for representation.

and formal appeal submitted

THE HEALTH RIGHTS CENTER

Palestinians in Israel suffer from inferior health conditions in

infant mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

not have supplemental health insurance. Access to health services

health conditions and standards of Palestinians in Israel as well


the Hebrew and Arabic media and participated

not to take it as a measure to improve admission

with the implementation of the court’s decision.

Health in the Arab Community, Press Conference – In the framework of the GMM

at the local level impact women more than men

in cooperation with the Arab National Committee of Heads of Local Authorities and attended by all the local Arab media.

Sewage and Waste Water Conference

and was supported by Arab local authorities from

about environmental pollution and its impact

water for factories and plants. Also in attendance

expressed interest to continue the cooperation

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E.2. National Campaigns

Israel

published a report entitled Narrow the Gaps of Tomorrow,

exposure and resulted in the convention of the


and advocacy forum wherein each member is

water Systems in Arab Localities

Palestinians in Israel are not connected to the

infrastructures in local authorities in the Naqab

industry. This proved to be a unique forum for direct

researchers and the State’s decision makers.

in Proximity to Arab Residence completed research on the environmental and health effects of stone quarries and published a

report serves as a draft for the Galilee Society’s formal complaint to the Ministry of National

cancellation of the Israeli Master Plan #14a and

the arrival of the ministries’ responses.

quarry located in the outskirts of the city of Shefa

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the prevalence of quarries located in vicinity to Arab

The information was cross referenced with the distance respondents live from the quarries and the

Data collected thus far attests to the severity of this

quarries cause.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race in Jerusalem Susan G. Komen for the Cure has

invited the Galilee Society and other women to

to participate in the race. Over 50 accepted and

in Arabic were handed out to participants in this

Advancing Budgetary Changes to Improve the Status of Palestinian Women

over the implementation of labor rules and

have no one to turn to with their complaints. The

Ministry to implore it to allocate additional funds

positively to the request and invited the staff to

his successor.

Promoting Local Public Health Units


attests to two complimentary problems. On the

the local level. Much like many other conservative

health promotion.

In order to increase women’s access to health

establishment of local health units within Arab

wherein the GS staff presented the model and

the Ministry commended the staff for its initiative

in order to further develop the model and put

technical aspects.

E.3. International Advocacy Engagement with the OECD

decision and some of the foreseen consequences.

with reporters and decision makers. Many other

the second year as the staff responded to daily

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Publications

[IV]

1. The Institute of Applied Research

I. Published articles

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Montaner. Increased metallothionein

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6.

7.

1.

2. Arab and Islamic herbal medicine and

2. Other Publications1.

2.

3.

4.


Under Development

[V]

The Galilee Society is proud to share with its supporters some of its future plans for the next

Health Rights Center

Local Public Health Units in

Public Health departments within Arab local

Health Disparities Coalition

remains a committed and active partner in the coalition and expands its advocacy outreach

Committee for health matters. Capacity Building for women on health

rights

develop and implement a unique curriculum to empower Palestinian women to become leaders for equality in health within their

in Israel.

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Environmental Justice Center DAMA

Center builds on the Galilee Society’s

topics in environment and sustainability.


scholars and community leaders interested

the community’s environmental conditions. Water Campaign

especially true in the Palestinian community in

poverty line and water costs have become a severe burden for many families. The new

pressure on decision makers to alter the

Raising the Frame

a component of personal and collective

for economic improvement.

Rikaz Databank Center Sijelat

unaddressed. Israel’s establishment in 1948

Palestinians were displaced from their homes

within Israel’s borders and received Israeli

Israel in terms of their needs and expectations. This action will address the lack of information

and other spheres of the lives of internally

lack of national and international awareness

subsequent

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Galilee Society will work closely with other civil society actors to conduct public opinion

irrespective of external circumstances. The

elected Palestinian representatives and leaders

novel endeavor offers a unique response to the persistent and systematic exclusion of the

actors and decision makers. Activities may

presentations in university departments and

Institute of Applied Research The Galilee Society’s Institute for Applied

PATENT - Partnership for Advocacy, Technology and Entrepreneurship. This Action is intended to foster a sustainable model of economic

Investment in research and development helps

and development. This Action seeks to address


Our Supporters

[VI]

of supporters and partners. Without them, our

Open Society Institute

Misereor

Mepi Local Grant

Church of Scotland

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[VII]

Roseland Daeem, ChairpersonJamal DakdukiAli Ghneim, PhDA’bed MasalhaWael OmariMohammad AbbasRyad ShahbarreeAwni ShahedatMajid Haddad

Baker Awawdy, General Director

Rima Zayed-Hayek, Administrative Coordinator and LibrarianClair Tawafshe, Administrative AssistantSuhier Hanna-Armali, Auditor and Director of

Department of Development and Public OutreachNaama Blatman, Head of Department Martin Telinous,Coordinator *Christine Khoury-Bishara,Development Coordinator*Hanan Yousef,*Nicole Tellier,

Health Center Muhammad Khatib, Head of Center Mahmoud Abd al Halim,

Ahmad Khalaili,

Justice Center Alaa Haidar, Head of Center Naim Daoud, Mai Assadi, Liliana Khalil, *Maisa Totry-Fakhoury,

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Databank Center Ahmad Sheikh Muhammad, Head of Center Leena Abu-Mukh Zoabi, Advocate Liana Fahoum, Public Outreach Coordinator

The Naqab Department Maher Abu Ratyoush, Mobile Clinic

Institute of Applied

Dr. Jeries Jadoun Mrs. Claire Tawafshi Mr. Ghassan Baransi Mrs. Diana Jabour

Dr. Jeries Jadoun, Dr. Hassan A’zaize Dr. Issam Sabbah Dr. Sobhi Basheer Dr. Ahmad Yazbak Dr. Ahmad Tafesh Dr. Adel Shalaa’ta

Dr. Malik Yousef Dr. Walid KhalifeDr. Na’im Najami

Katie Baransi, Fares Halahleh, Chemistry Rana Jarjoura,

Olfat Massalha, Esraa Haj, Dores Assakleh, Sameer Sarhan,

Anwar Massalha, Odelia Levi, Hiba Abu Taieh, Sagit Erez, Riham Ineem, Alaa Shiban,


Annual Report 2010

Technology

couldin israel

gsin israel

israel havelives of

arab minority

chainenvironmental security

existential security

arab schools

arab women