Arab Center for Law and Policy

Goals
Defining and pursuing strategic objectives for Israeli Arab society in law and policy; advising decision-makers in Arab society on law and policy; promoting partnerships among social-change organizations in Arab society in particular and in Israeli society in general.

BACKGROUND
In 2007 attorney Yousef Jabareen, an alumnus of the NIF Law Fellows Program, initiated the establishment of a center for law, society, and policy. The center intends to outline strategic policy and applied research on behalf of Palestinian society, based on agreed-upon objectives of the Palestinian and Jewish sectors in Israel and the commitment of the state to the equality of its citizens. The center aims to address issues including lack of synergy, strategic thinking, and policy development tools, rather than promote a change in the character of the State. It will also draft work plans for achieving these objectives in various domains, including the law, education, welfare, employment, health and culture.

STRATEGIES
Advocacy; establishing professional forums for strategic discussion; drafting position papers on issues of law, society, and policy; conducting applied socioeconomic research.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Partners have been recruited from among academics, decision-makers, and the formal institutions of Palestinian society and civil society.
• Two meetings were held for approximately 20 professionals, including the founding core group, crystallizing the center's organizational structure: a general assembly, board of directors, and advisory committee.
• It was agreed that the center will be located in Nazareth, where an office was rented and secretarial services were procured.
• In cooperation with the Follow-up Committee on Education (an NIF grantee), the center began designing a pilot project on education.