Civil Rights in Israel

2011 Celebrate Israel Parade - NYC

editor — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:09:36 -0700

Start: 06/05/2011 - 10:00am

End: 06/05/2011 - 1:00pm

Marching in Tune With Israel's Values

Meretz USA's Progressive Contingent at the 2011 Celebrate Israel Parade

Sunday, June 5

10:00 am - 1:00 PM

(Estimated step-off time of 11:00 am)

Assemble on 5th Ave. between 54th and 55th Streets, Manhattan, NY

Before the Fall: A call to action from The Democratic Camp

editor — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:12 -0800

Israel is plunging rapidly toward an undemocratic future. That's now an open secret. Democratic values of equality, justice, rights - are attacked daily by both the powers that be and by anti-democratic movements.

We are taking action based on our fear that if we don't make our voices heard; if we don't protest and wage our struggle now - tomorrow might be too late. We are taking action because we believe that democracy will emerge victorious.

We - activists from a variety of parties, organizations and movements, with a variety of political outlooks - have decided to unite in this struggle for democracy. If the character of Israeli society is important to you - please join our struggle!

To the website of The Democratic Camp.

Can Democracy Unravel Just Like That?

editor — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:46:32 -0800

The dire words of warning we are hearing from the leaders of "The Democratic Camp" in Israel - a coalition of political parties, public organizations and grassroots movements to defend democracy - are neither hyperbole, nor rhetorical flourish. The situation is grave. Israeli democracy is at a watershed moment.

Nitzan Horowitz: Our Home is in Flames - The Assault on Israeli Democracy

editor — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:34:51 -0800

(a compilation of urgent messages issued this week by Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz)

Dear Friends,

Our home is in flames.

They won't relent, and they won't slow down. They're already preparing their next steps. It's only going to intensify.

The current Knesset is marked by a terrifying mix of religious coercion and nationalist extremism.

And the most frightening change is the complete loss of shame.

The members of this hardhearted coalition and their helpers are no longer even trying to cover their fist in a thin glove of decency - even if just for the sake of appearance. They admit, and some even boast, that their legislation is discriminatory, seeping with racism, and inimical to the values of equality and social justice.

2010 The Year in Review

editor — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:04:25 -0800

For 2010 we wanted to make a David Letterman style "Top Ten" list of the most important events of 2010 in Israel. Coming up with this list was harder than anticipated. We didn't want to be overly negative and only call attention to the stories and events that disappointed, discouraged or shamed us. But we also didn't want to be too shiny and happy and only mention the good news either. So, with the sincerest of efforts to both call truth to power and to keep on the sunny side, we present you with two top five lists: the events in Israel that caused us both shame and pride in 2010.

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Israelis sign Declaration of Independence from Fascism

editor — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:07:27 -0700

Read the statement signed by hundreds of Israeli public figures, including Shulamit Aloni, Zehava Galon, Yoram Kaniuk, Ran Cohen and others.
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Injustice in Jerusalem, by Mike Rozensher - "Intern in Israel Initiative" scholarship recipient

editor — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:40:02 -0700

MIKE ROZENSHER
MERETZ USA "INTERN IN ISRAEL INITIATIVE"
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

INJUSTICE IN JERUSALEM
By Mike Rozensher
From the Jewish Advocate, Boston, April 2, 2010
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Meretz demands pluralism and equality at the Western Wall

editor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:08:16 -0700
New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz has presented a new bill that would amend the "Holy Places Law" and allow for tolerance and pluralism at the Kotel, the Western Wall, among all streams of Jewish practice.
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The blockade of Gaza: Nutmeg and national security

editor — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:55:19 -0700
In response to a court petition by the Israeli NGO, Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, the government of Israel has for the first time admitted that it has specific written guidelines for its Gaza Strip blockade which outline which goods it will, and which it will not, allow into Gaza, and in what quantities.
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New Israel Fund witch-hunt continues in Knesset. Meretz MK to the defense

editor — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:48:06 -0700
Last week, Kadima MK Yulia Shamalov Berkovich introduced an urgent motion to the Knesset plenum, accusing "organizations supported by the New Israel Fund" of, "treasonous behavior", "involvement in subversive activity against ... officers in the Israel Defense Forces," and, "making common cause with our greatest enemies to realize their goal - the obliteration of Zionism". The Kadima MK compared the NIF to the Nazis ("we won't go like sheep to the slaughter").
Knesset members from the Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, National Union, and United Torah Judaism parties joined the ominous chorus.
New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz rose to an impassioned defense of the New Israel Fund. Comparing the Knesset members' attacks to a "witch hunt", he said:
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