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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 04:55 27/02/2007 UN panel to hear Israel respond to charges of bias against Arabs By Yoav Stern and Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service Israel will be required to provide the United Nations Human Rights Council explanations for its policies regarding Arabs, defending itself against allegations of bias in land allocation, Bedouin rights, treatment of Palestinians, and other issues. The Adala Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights has been involved in recent talks between the United Nations and Israel on discrimination against Israeli Arabs, both counseling the state and advising the UN of categorical discrimination overlooked by Israel's report. Last week's talks with the UN Human Rights Council held at the UN Geneva headquarters were part of ongoing discussions and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. Advertisement Israel has become party to the convention in the late 1970s, and as such it is required to present the council a bi-annual report on its implementation. Despite this obligation, Israel submitted its last report in 1998. Adala debriefed the members of the Israeli delegation ahead and during the discussions, stressing several areas it still considers to suffer from manifest discrimination against Arabs. One of the issues Adala highlighted is the control of Jewish institutions - The Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Agency - over state lands. According to Adala, the fact that part of the lands are being allocated only to Jews attests to discrimination that is ingrained into state policies. Other issues raised by Adala were the treatment of the Bedouin population in the Negev and the state's position on unrecognized Bedouin communities; the Law of Citizenship preventing Israeli Arabs from marrying Palestinians or citizens of Arab countries and living together in Israel; and also the discrimination against the Palestinians living in the territories. All of those issues were not mentioned by Israeli delegates to the talks. Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Yitzhak Levanon, noted at the opening meeting Israel's progress in legislation and acceptance of Arabs into public service, despite ongoing security threats and unceasing struggle against terrorism. Levanon mentioned the appointment of MK Raleb Majadele as Science, Culture and Sports Minister as proof of non-discriminatory policies at the public service. Israeli delegates emphasized affirmative action regulations in the state's hiring policies for the public service. But Adala says that according to figures in its possession Arabs constitute a mere 6 percent of public servants whereas they form some 20 percent of the population in Israel. Morten Kjaerum, the Dane Committee Expert who served as country Rapporteur for the report of Israel, welcomed the information provided by the Israeli delegation on affirmative action plans, as well as the Government's attitude that discrimination was not acceptable. He did, however, note several areas requiring improvement, including: "Insufficient" implementation of human dignity principles under current legislation and jurisprudence; doubtful balance between security laws and human rights in cases of family reunification resulting in direct discrimination; and indirect discrimination resulting from the separation wall and security laws. Adala's involvement in UN anti discrimination activities is part of a growing trend among Israeli Arab rights groups to affect state policy via international bodies. The various organizations believe that by increasing international pressure on Israel significant policy changes can be achieved. Other than Adala, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel presented the treatment of foreign workers in Israel and the B'tselem Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories raised human rights violations against Palestinians. The Foreign Ministry expressed its satisfaction with the discussions, although sources at the department said they expect "critical" conclusions from the committee, to be published in two weeks' time. Head of Human Rights department Daniel Meron said that committee members complimented Israel for efforts at narrowing the gaps between Jews and Arabs. Meron said also that the queries raised by Adala "were not unexpected" and said he was hopeful that in its conclusions the committee would show understanding to the complex reality Israel faces. Bookmark to del.icio.us Tehran threat Olmert delivered a rebuttal to the assessment that Iran halted its nukes program. More than war The UN has adopted an Israeli-proposed resolution in the field of economic development.   1.   Morten Kjærum,how about Denmark`s record? Pals were burning 11:24  |  Absolute Sweden 26/02/07   2.   more UN anti Israel trouble making 11:58  |  zionist forever 26/02/07   3.   UN to investigate Muslim states for policies towards Jews? 12:13  |  Yacov 26/02/07   4.   Israel must fight Muslim racist propaganda and apartheid. 12:17  |  Yacov 26/02/07   5.   The U N 12:23  |  Naim S. Mahlab 26/02/07   6.   Which panel? 12:54  |  ScotGuy 26/02/07   7.   and when will pals, arabs be asked same? 13:04  |  ralph 26/02/07   8.   tb #1-5 Babies! 13:05  |  Kolibri 26/02/07   9.   Wonder when the UN 13:06  |  Lynn 26/02/07   10.   # 3 UNLESS 13:10  |  Lynn 26/02/07   11.   # 5 Manipulation 13:15  |  Lynn 26/02/07   12.   When has the UN Human Rights Council questioned the slavery that 13:45  |  Nadav 26/02/07   13.   to Yacov of Ashkelon 13:45  |  Yaron 26/02/07   14.   YOUR KILLING ME I CAN NOT STOP LAUGHING 13:51  |  Levi 26/02/07   15.   Yaron 14:03  |  Lynn 26/02/07   16.   Please, God 14:09  |  Hindanow 26/02/07   17.   The UN is partially correct 14:16  |  Richard S 26/02/07   18.   Lynn 14:43  |  Yaron 26/02/07   19.   Now the Timing Becomes Clear 14:59  |  Yaakov Sullivan 26/02/07   20.   Yaron- 13 15:03  |  Hindanow 26/02/07   21.   #13 Yaron: You admit that Arab Muslims practice racist apartheid 15:07  |  Yacov 26/02/07   22.   #8 Kolibri: Israel has its place in the world 15:10  |  Yacov 26/02/07   23.   Then what is the problem with Jewish settlements? 15:36  |  Ian 26/02/07   24.   Levi-14 15:36  |  Hindanow 26/02/07   25.   READ THIS 15:50  |  bo 26/02/07   26.   20-Come on Hindanow 16:10  |  Fredo 26/02/07   27.   Nothing can satisfy liberal anti-semites 16:29  |  Gene 26/02/07   28.   #26 Fredo 16:53  |  Itsik 26/02/07   29.   Itsik 17:15  |  Fredo 26/02/07   30.   Yaron #18 17:22  |  Gee 26/02/07   31.   Gee #30 17:39  |  Yaron 26/02/07   32.   Right, Gee, Comeuppence time, I guess #30 17:48  |  Yaakov Sullivan 26/02/07   33.   Arab Choices 18:00  |  LM Smith 26/02/07   34.   What About Jewish/Christian Rights In Muslim Countries 18:24  |  GenerX 26/02/07   35.   UN antisemitism 19:30  |  Hilda 26/02/07   36.   Sullivan # 19, you can not take any move Israel makes with a even 19:49  |  Nadav 26/02/07   37.   Israel not a true democracy 20:15  |  democrat 26/02/07   38.   re: UN antisemitism (Hilda #35) 20:17  |  democrat 26/02/07   39.   Anti-zionist patriot 11:40  |  Mani 27/02/07   40.   Hmm...are we not the colonizers? 11:46  |  Mani 27/02/07   41.   GHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES. 00:19  |  MARK of ZORO 12/12/07

Today Online 15 Qassams hit Negev hours after PM vows to remove threat Responses: 38 Hamas urges PA to boycott peace talks in wake of IDF Gaza raid Responses: 25 Official: Gov't okayed hundreds more homes in West Bank Responses: 28 Survey shows American Jews losing interest in Israel Responses: 17 Amira Hass: Gaza and W. Bank are two non-states for one people Responses: 3 Haaretz.com TV: Routine IDF search leaves Palestinian home in shambles Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain American Jews are losing interest in Israel Guest: redivision of Jerusalem will lead to terrible bloodshed A more traditional Reform movement (WTR) Republicans reacted much better to the NIE on Iran More Headlines 10:33 At least 15 Qassams hit Negev; five lightly hurt 10:14 Blast kills senior Lebanese officer due to take over as army commander 08:59 Hamas urges PA to boycott Israel talks in wake of IDF Gaza raid 11:27 Civil Administration chief: Hundreds of units approved in disputed areas 09:18 Survey: U.S. Jews are losing interest in Israel 07:21 Police: N.Y. subway riders beaten after 'Happy Hanukkah' greeting 11:08 Rosh Ha'ayin man indicted for killing his brother last month 09:10 Negotiations to end teachers' strike break down at 11th hour 05:38 Channel 10 to launch Israeli version of reality TV show 'Survivor' Previous Editions Select Day 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 30 nov 29 nov 28 nov

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