Galilee Society - Annual Report 2006

1. Annual Report

2. Word from the Chair of the Board of
4 “Ataa” Help Center
Directors and the General Director
6 The Health
Rights Center A brief review of the activities and projects undertaken by the Galilee
Society in the year 2006, a summary of which is in this report, makes
10 The Environmental us proud and delighted with the pioneering and influential role which
Justice Center
the organization has assumed. This became particularly apparent during
the recent war on Lebanon and the exposure of tens of Arab towns and
Our Vision
villages to its direct impacts, be it through missile fire and its victims,
14 Rikaz DataBank or through material damages sustained. The Galilee Society took on its
national, humanitarian and professional duty and, in cooperation with
16 The Resource other Arab organizations, established and operated the “Ataa” Help Cen-
Development Dept. ter, in order to offer guidance and direction in emergency situations.
Through advocacy, service provision and capacity
18 Al-Maissam The recent war on Lebanon exposed the fragility and weakness of the building, the Galilee Society facilitates the empowerment
Arab community during emergency situations on all levels. It also
20 The Regional Research revealed in sharp relief the depth and deep-rootedness of the discrimi- of Palestinian citizens and strengthens civil society in
nation, neglect and exclusion of the Arab community concerning the
Development Center policies and procedures of the Israeli establishment. Over half of Arab Israel. The Galilee Society has a history of collaboration
citizens of Israel live in the area exposed to missile fire. Despite this, they
22 The Naqab Dept. were forgotten in all media, preventative, health, educational and recre- with Jewish, Arab and international organizations, both
ational services.
25 Staff governmental and non-governmental. The largest and
We took on our humble but important role during that critical period
and thus carried out our duty, which is the minimum that we can do. longest-standing Palestinian NGO in Israel, the Galilee
The important and vital projects of the other departments within the Society is known and trusted by the Palestinian community
Galilee Society continued. You can find details about these in this report.
Finally, we wish to state that the Galilee Society is the primary develop- as an organization that strives to protect minority rights,
mental organization working for the Palestinian community inside Israel
and is in need of your moral and financial support . thus promoting and strengthening democratic principles
We extend our enormous gratitude to all those who support and back
of pluralism and equality in Israel.
the Galilee Society, and wish in particular to mention our donor orga-
nizations and funders. We also thank the staff, members and partners
of the Galilee Society, and look forward to continuing along our path of
development, giving, working and innovation in the implementation of
projects for the benefit of the entire Palestinian community.
Yours respectfully,
Mr. Wael Omari, Dr. Basel Ghattas
Chair of the Board of Directors General Director
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3. The Galilee Society’s Response
to the Israel-Hezbollah War:
«Ataa» Help Center
«Summer Camp for War-Affected Children»
During the summer’s military conflict in Lebanon and in Northern Israel,
Hezbollah rockets fell in and near Arab villages. During hostilities, the Galilee In addition to the call center, the Galilee Society Health Rights Center in cooperation
Society observed that Arab communities in Israel suffered from the complete with the Arab Cultural Association and the Baladna Association held a five-day
absence of air raid shelters, sirens, information in Arabic, and access to summer camp in August for children who lived in villages struck by rockets during
emergency services. The state provided no psychological or legal support for the war. The camp provided children between the ages of 8-4 group therapy
Arabic speakers despite their high concentration in war-affected areas. Arab sessions, Arab cultural events, and visits to area cultural institutions.
communities were effectively abandoned by the state during the war and its
aftermath. The camp was held to provide the children with a healthy, psychologist-supervised
forum to discuss the traumatic events of the war, as well as to provide the children
To combat this inequality, the Galilee Society and its partners created the ‘Ataa (Arabic for with a positive experience to replace the usual summer activities they had missed
“to give”) Line, a toll-free number created to provide legal and psychological support for due to the war.
Arabs residing in war-struck villages. Citizens could access advice simply by dialing *2231
from any phone, or on the web at www.ataa48.org. The secondary objective for the camp was to establish collaborative links between
the Galilee Society and Palestinian organizations. Partners for the camp included
Thanks to extensive promotion in Arab locales, the line was an immediate success, logging Al Hakawati Theater Group, the Palestinian Center for Training, the Palestinian
2 calls in the first three weeks alone. Two trainings, led by professional lawyers and Group for Traditional Dancing, and the Al Sanabel Theater Group.
psychologists, were conducted in early August to assure that the 7 telephone operator
volunteers were qualified to offer effective support. Complicated legal or psychological
problems beyond the qualifications of volunteers were relayed to a lawyer or psychologist.
Funding for the project was provided by emergency support from the Ford Foundation
and the Open Society Institute. Partners in the project included Adalah, the Ahali Center,
the Arab Culture Association, the Arab Psychologists Association, Ittijah, and the Medical
Relief Committee.
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4. Th e
healTh
RighTs
CenTeR
Health Rights Center Projects in 2006  Holding a study day
1. The Health Education Program on on HIV/AIDS for youth
HIV/AIDS who attended the training
workshops, in preparation for
This groundbreaking project has proven to raise World AIDS Day, which is on st
the level of knowledge and awareness among December each year.
the various sectors of the Arab community
regarding the dangers of HIV/AIDS and means of  Conducting educational activities
prevention. for World AIDS Day 2006, including
The Galilee Society’s Health Rights Center strives to student-led activities in the Ibn Sinai high
improve the health status of the Arab minority, starting from Activities in 2006 included: school in Nahaf, and the Latin School in
the principle that the consideration of the health status of society  Giving more than 00 lectures on HIV/AIDS al-Reini.
is a basic component of the developmental process. It is also a in 22 high schools and elementary schools, in
requirement for the achievement of equal rights in health services addition to a series of awareness-raising lectures
and conditions.
 Holding a study day on HIV/AIDS for
targeted at parents. professionals such as school principals,
counselors, teachers, health educators and
 Conducting seven training workshops for nurses.
The Center works according to several strategies:
groups of high school students on health, sexually
. The strengthening of health education in various areas and transmitted diseases and AIDS. The workshops  Urging religious leaders in the Arab sector to
consolidating its impact so that it will be reflected positively on the public followed the Peer Education Model, which trains take the initiative and hold discussions on HIV/
health of the Arab community. young people to act as peer role models and AIDS at religious seminars and lessons.
advisors, empowering participants by providing
2. The development, expansion and institutionalization of the information them with health information and methods of
network on the health of the Arabs in Israel as an essential foundation for guidance.  Mobilizing politicians to support educational
health and environmental planning. programs for HIV/AIDS prevention.
 Issuing a pamphlet of information about HIV/
. The planning and implementation of direct intervention programs related to AIDS and distributing it to the public, in particular  The implementation of public education
specific health issues on the basis of available information and research. to schoolchildren. media campaigns in the various media on
HIV/AIDS.
4. Wide marketing of Galilee Society publications on health issues relevant to the
Arab community in Israel (a guide for female youth, breast cancer, AIDS, etc.).
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5. 2. Project for Improving the Quality of 3. Public Capacity-Building Project
Life of Individuals Suffering from Dia-
betes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) This project includes three types of intervention: the
awarding of scholarships, a professional training
This project employs the strategy of capacity building course in the field of health promotion, and the
among diabetes and CVD sufferers by means of founding of two model health consultation centers
guidance workshops, constructed according to the in the Arab community.
patients’ needs.
Activities in 2006 included:
Activities in 2006 included:  The awarding of scholarships to support Arab
 Holding a number of guidance workshops for Masters Degree students specializing in the field of
diabetics in the town of Tamra in northern Israel. health promotion. The goal is to encourage students
to take the initiative to carry out public projects in
their community.
 The initiation of public education media
campaigns on diabetes in the Arab sector.
 A professional training program on health
promotion and education was created and planned
 The expansion of the project to encompass the for professional teams in the fields of health and
town of al-Tira in the central Triangle region of Israel, teacher training, to be carried out in 2007.
in cooperation with the Clalit and Maccabi health
services groups and the local women’s organization,
Dana.  The development of a model for local health
and environmental consultation centers was begun
in two Arab villages that have demonstrated a
 Holding a study day on diabetes in the town of willingness to participate in this project.
al-Tira in cooperation with project participants and
the Municipality of al-Tira. Professionals in various In addition to specific projects outlined above, the
fields in al-Tira participated in this study day as well Center in 2006 routinely conducted surveys, study
as a large number of diabetes patients. days, and public awareness campaigns; worked to
improve health education in schools and public
institutions; advocated on behalf of the Arab
minority in Israel; and acted as a health watchdog
to the national and local authorities. These activities
make up the core program for the HRC.
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6. In terms of its activities, the Center works The Center aims to realize
to provide financial and professional the following environmental rights:
resources to combat and address the
 The
The
following environmental hazards: right of the Palestinian minority in
Israel to clean, unpolluted air, water and land
enviRonmenTal . The absence of appropriate
environmental infrastructure in the
which is free of toxic substances;
 The right of the Palestinian minority in
Environmental Justice Center
Projects in 2006
JusTiCe CenTeR Palestinian community;
2. The dangerous lack of sewage
Israel to live in a sound environment and to
combat environmental problems which harm . Advocacy and Legal Action
systems; their health and environment. In order to realize the environmental rights of the Arab
The Environmental Justice Center has a clear goal: the Palestinian community, the Environmental Justice Center
development of the values of justice and the realization  To work towards putting an end to the has taken on the following legal advocacy actions:
of individual and collective rights as they pertain to the . The spread of numerous environmental injustice afflicting Arab citizens,
environmental and health conditions of Palestinian citizens environmental problems near Arab and achieving the principle of environmental
in Israel. The Center strives to achieve equal environmental towns and villages, such as stone justice;  Air pollution: The Center’s work in the field of air
conditions for these citizens through employing a number quarries or illegal dumping sites. pollution pivots on legal defense and preventing the
of strategies to raise public awareness and promote
 The right of the Palestinian minority in construction or clustering of factories and polluting
The Center also endeavors to develop Israel to freedom of access to information industries in the vicinity of Arab towns and villages. For
environmental justice.
and strengthen Arab public awareness relating to natural and planning resources, as example, the Center initiated a campaign against a plan
of the importance of protecting and well as environmental problems. to construct an incinerator in the town of Shefa-Amr,
Environmental conditions do not relate only to the physical
surroundings of an individual or community. They also improving the state of the environment. which was to burn solid waste for the generation of energy.
constitute the social, psychological and aesthetic aspects The Center sent a letter to the Ministry for Environmental
that contribute to a healthy environment. This more holistic Protection and to the Northern Planning and Building
view of a person’s or community’s environment guides the Committee, demanding the cancellation of the plan
Environmental Justice Center. on the basis of the principle of environmental justice.
After the letter was sent, the Ministry of Environmental
Protection announced its opposition to the plan, which
was then cancelled. In addition, the Environmental Justice
Center organized a campaign against the construction of
an incinerator in Ibillin.
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7. 2. Environmental Education and Awareness Raising
 Sewage: During 2006, the Center drew attention to Salam School in the village of Majd al-Krum and in
the lack of environmental infrastructure in Arab towns Tel Kseife elementary school in Naqab.
and villages and particularly of sewage networks. The The Environmental Justice Center continued to educate and raise
Center’s work in this field encompassed the village awareness among the Arab Palestinian community regarding
 Pesticides: It was brought to the Center’s attention various environmental issues, which included:
of Kseife in the Naqab, the village of Majd al-Krum, that individuals and workers from the community
Arrabe and Beit Jan in the north, and the town of village (kibbutz) of Adamit in the western Galilee were
Taybeh in the center of the country. spraying dangerous toxic pesticides on agricultural
lands belonging to the village Arab al-Aramshe at its  Giving tens of Lectures organized in Arab schools  The organization of Study Days on environmental
 Illegal Waste Sites: In 2006, the Environmental
northern border, which are located at a distance of on various environmental issues. subjects: In particular, a study day was held on the
Justice Center also began to challenge the incidence subject of environmental discrimination and Arab
mere meters from Arab residential houses. As a result,
of illegal garbage dumps near Palestinian towns and Palestinian community in Israel. The day served as
the Center sent a letter of complaint and warning to
villages. As a first step, the Center issued warning a forum to present findings from a study entitled,
the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry  The activation of the Student Grants Program: This
letters to the Dabouriya Local Authority, the Ministry of “Environmental Justice: The Case of Stone Quarries”,
of Agriculture, and the Mati Asher Regional Council, project aims to increase and strengthen environmental
Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health, prepared by the Environmental Justice Center in
against kibbutz Adamit. awareness in the Arab community, by supporting
demanding that they immediately work both together cooperation with the Jerusalem Research Institute. The
students who are active in their environment and
and individually to remove all the illegal waste outlets study addresses the planning and construction of stone
 The “Green Line”: The Center set up the “Green community. The grants program encourages future
located close to the northern neighborhood of the quarries near Arab villages in Israel. It draws attention
Line”, a call center which receives complaints and generations to recognize the importance of the
village of Dabouriya. to the socio-economic characteristics of the population
inquiries from the public regarding environmental environment and environmental rights.
suffering from the hazardous effects of living close to
problems. The Green Line is the first hotline/call center
 Asbestos: In the area of educational and
of its kind for Arab citizens in Israel. The Green Line
stone quarries, from the perspective of environmental
environmental rights, the Center worked toward justice.
is resultant from a rise in the number of complaints
providing school children in Arab towns and villages
from Arab citizens in Israel due to an increase in
with a sound, non-harmful environment at school. In
environmental problems in Arab towns and villages,
particular, the Center strove to combat the presence of
and from the absence of any official or unofficial
asbestos in schools. Research has proven asbestos to be an
service in the Arabic language.
extremely toxic and carcinogenic substance, one which
legally cannot be used in buildings, especially in schools.
One of the Center’s major achievements
in 2006 was the removal of
asbestos ceilings in the
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8. Rikaz was born of the need for reliable and comprehensive information
on the status and specific needs of the Palestinian community in Israel.
Its aim is to facilitate applied socio-economic research, development
Rikaz and advocacy work for the benefit of, and to empower, the
Palestinian minority in Israel. Rikaz serves to draw the attention
DaTabank of the public, NGOs, decision makers and the authorities to
disparities between Palestinian and Jewish living standards
with infrastructure, and
religious and historical
for the Palestinian and thereby help to bridge a disconcerting information sites.
Minority in Israel gap. A comprehensive computerized information system,
Rikaz collects and analyzes extensive data relating 2. Survey on the Impact of
to this population group, providing free, reliable The Israel-Hezbollah War on
and up-to-date information on the Internet
Arab Communities in Israel
(www.rikaz.org) for a variety of audiences.
The goal of this study was to document and monitor the impacts of
Rikaz Projects in 2006 the Israeli attack on Lebanon (July 2006) on the Palestinian community
in Israel in a number of areas. The most significant areas impacted were
1. Community Survey psychological damage, material damage, the provision of governmental
Given the importance of up-to- services and the conduct of the local and national Arab leadership. The project
www.rikaz.org also confronted the lack of basic services provided to the Arab community in Israel, to
date and comprehensive statistical
information and to complement the ensure its physical and psychological welfare in emergency situations.
2004 Socio-Economic survey, Rikaz Databank
implemented a major survey of Arab communities Rikaz Databank cooperated with the Galilee Society-initiated “Ataa” Help Center in the
in Israel in 2006. The availability of this information implementation of two research surveys on the impacts of the war. The first questionnaire
represents a fundamental step toward the development of was designated for Arab local authorities, and the second for families which sustained material
municipalities and provides researchers and decision makers damage due to the war.
with the means to study the distribution of financial and human
resources. 3. Internal Cooperation and Networking
Rikaz provided the necessary services and statistical analyses to the professional departments within the
The research questionnaire, developed by a steering committee Galilee Society. Thus, the department worked on analyzing the statistical information gathered through
consisting of academics, statistical experts and local authorities, the HIV/AIDS and Diabetes projects.
covers the following categories:
4. Updating Rikaz
 local authority characteristics and needs; In the ongoing effort to update data on the Rikaz Databank website, statistics from the Israeli Central Bureau
 the allocation of land in towns, their jurisdictional of Statistics and the Labor Force survey were added for the year 200, in addition to the existing data from
areas and land confiscation; 8 onwards.
 the structural organization of towns and their strategic plans; 5. Cooperation with Palestinain Central Bureau of Statistics
 buildings and residential units; Rikaz once again prepared a special chapter on the Palestinians in Israel published in the annual Statistical
Abstract of Palestine issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
 governmental and public services.
6. Website Maintenance
In addition, the survey collected information regarding the health, Rikaz continues to develop and maintain the English and Arabic versions of the Galilee Society website.
environment, education and culture sectors, as well as data associated
4

9. The Fundraising and Donor Relations International Relations
ResouRCe • An emergency fundraising campaign • The Friends of the Galilee Society (FGS) in the US gained its 0(c)
DevelopmenT
was conducted to establish “Ataa” Help status. The New York-based Coordinator worked with the Board to
Center for Palestinian citizens of Israel who strengthen the network of contacts and friends among the Arab
DepaRTmenT
were victims of the Israel-Hezbollah war in communities in the US. Together with general communication, this
the summer. More than $86,000 was raised. included participation in the Friends of Nazareth conference in Las Vegas
• The department successfully managed during February.
the first year relationship with Misereor, the • The Galilee Society’s Chair of the Board Mr. Wael Omary General
overseas development agency of the Catholic Director, Dr Basel Ghattas, visited the US during the summer, in order to
The Resource Development Department Church, securing an increased grant from meet with the FGS Board and plan for the coming year. During his tour,
manages the Galilee Society’s Misereor for the Environmental Justice Center Dr Ghattas raised $,000 for the FGS.
relationships with its foreign donors and for 2007. • Dr. Ghattas Dr. Yazbak attended the Doha conference 24-2 April.
serves the organization in many ways. • The second year of the three year grant • The Newsletter, with comprehensive articles and news on the Galilee
It operates primarily in English and is from ACSUR Las Segovias was completed Society’s activities, was published six times during 2006 and sent to more
responsible for fundraising, including effectively. This grant comes from the Spanish than 2,000 recipients across the world.
work with the Friends of the Galilee Cooperation, the government department
Society in the US; donor reporting; the that funds overseas development projects.
bi-monthly newsletter sent to over 2,000
Internal Staffing and Capacity Building
It supports the Galilee Society’s projects
recipients worldwide; website updates working with Bedouin women and children
and Annual Reports. • Felice Nassar, Resource Development Director, was on maternity leave
in the Naqab. for 6 months during 2006. During that time, the department was staffed
• A significant number of tailored proposals by long-standing interns, Jamie Mandell from the US and Jenny Nyman
were sent to foundations and personal from Finland.
contacts for the General Program as well as • Over the course of the year, the department also gained a new intern,
individual projects. Chris Sutton from the US, whose internship
• All project and program reporting was continues through 2007.
carried out according to the agreements with
donor organizations. Donors to the Galilee Society in 2006
In 2006, the Department achieved  A new grant that allows the Galilee Society to  ACSUR Las Segovias  Marc Rich Foundation
many successes for The Galilee restart its Breast Cancer project. The grant comes
Society, including:
 Church of Scotland  Misereor
from the American foundation, Susan G Komen for
the Cure.  Ford Foundation  Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation
 The first ever grant from the European Union. The  Attainment of the 0(c) status for the Friends  Healing Across the Divides  Open Society Institute
grant spans 2 years and is for Rikaz Databank and its of the Galilee Society in the US, which allows the
socio-economic research and advocacy trainings for organization to receive donations and grants tax-free
 ICCO (Interchurch Organisation for  Shefa Amr Municipality, Kefr Kana Council,
Palestinians in Israel. Development Cooperation) Government Ministries.
under US law.
 Lisa and Maury Friedman Foundation  Individuals
6 7

10. al-maissam
The Medicinal Plant Center for
In 2006, the Al-Maissam Center continued its basic
activities, which focus on the revival of the Arab folk
heritage, protecting medicinal plants species, educating
Research and Education the local public on the uses of traditional medicinal
plants, and offering guidance to students from
educational institutes for their research in environment, 3. Final Assignments Program
biology, chemistry and medicinal herbs. The Center provided its guidance services to high school students
in order to assist them in completing their final assignments in
The Center saw an increase in the number of visitors the subjects of the environment, biology, chemistry, and herbal
from previous years, with close to 8,000 visiting students. medicine. These assignments constitute units that contribute toward
The overall activities of the Center can be summarized the students’ final examination and graduation from school. Al-
according to the following classifications: Maissam also provided these services to engineering students in
colleges and institutes of higher education in order to help them to
complete their final projects. The total number of high school students
that participated in the preparation of assignments was 62. The
number of students studying at institutes of higher education who
1. Day Visits participated in the preparation of final assignments was 2.
Visiting students gain knowledge of the Center’s activities, starting
with the greenhouse and its medicinal plants. They then continue to 4. Public Lectures
the educational stations on bees and organic fertilizers, where they Dr. Omar Said, the Director of the Al-Maissam Center, with the
see compost and algae. Finally they move on to the performance assistance of the Al-Maissam team, gave more than 2 public
of research activities, the development of natural products and the lectures in approximately 0 different villages and towns throughout
cultivation of medicinal herbs. The number of day visitors reached the country.
close to ,00 students in 2006.
2. The Young Researcher’s Program
The young researcher’s program is comprised of ten meetings, during
which the student becomes familiar with various kinds of academic
research. Each group, composed of between two and three students,
conducts research under the supervision and guidance of the Al-
Maissam Center guides. More than 270 students from the fifth to
ninth grades participated in this program in 2006.
8

11. Reports water given by Dr. Hassan Azaizeh at a workshop in
Spain on 22 June 2006. ‫مركز األبحاث والتطوير املنطقي‬
The The Center’s researchers presented the following
peer-reviewed papers and lectures:
6. A lecture of removing difficult materials through
advanced biological methods, given by Dr. Isam
Regional . A lecture on the activities of the Research
Development Center presented by Dr. Isam Sabbah
Sabbah at a conference held in Italy on October
2006.
ReseaRCh The research activities
or 2006 included the continuation
during a study day by the “Qandeel” institution
which was held in Nazareth on 6 May 2006.
7. A lecture on the production of bio-gas from
agricultural material waste presented by Dr. Hassan
DevelopmenT of research projects in the following areas: 2. A lecture on 2 May 2006 presented before a
meeting of the administrative committee of the
Azaizeh at an international scientific conference
held in Amman, Jordan in October 2006.
CenTeR Health and Medicinal Plants Projects BARD fund by Dr. Isam Sabbah.
. A lecture and poster presented at an international
8. A lecture given during a workshop on the
treatment of waste water using simple methods
• Local medicinal plants and their uses in conference on medicinal herbs in Tunis, Tunisia. The given by Dr. Isam Sabbah at the Technion, Haifa in
traditional Arab medicine. presentation was given by Dr. Hassan Azaizeh and November 2006.
• Medicinal herbs for medical treatments. Dr. Omar Said in June 2006. . A lecture on the engineering and economic
• A study of diseases of the liver and the skin. 4. A lecture on the effect of bacteria immobilization aspects of treating waste water in the Arab rural
on the rate of biodegradation of Phenol at high sector, presented by Dr. Isam Sabbah during a
Agricultural and Environmental Projects concentration in waste water, presented by Mr. Nidal conference which was
Massalha at the yearly conference of the Israeli held in Sakhnin as part
• The removal of refractory and toxic compounds from agricultural Society for the Environment in June 2006 in Haifa. of the LIFE poject on 20
and industrial waste water. . A lecture on the removal of selenium from November 2006.
• The development of fertilizers from animal waste and plants. waste
• The reduction of the damaging environmental impact of waste
water from olive presses in the Middle East.
• Photochatalysis oxidation – an assisting process in the treatment
of refractory effluents.
In addition to these lectures and conference
In addition to these projects, which are ongoing from previous presentations, the Center published peer-reviewed
years, the Center took on two newly supported research scientific papers in international journals, as well as
projects, which are: a several articles published in local journals in the
• A project to investigate the possibility of developing a Arabic language.
botanical treatment for acne, carried out by Dr. Bashar
Saad. Writing Research Proposals
• The treatment of olive mill water waste and solid
waste using biological methods to produce an organic  The Center’s researchers wrote more than 2
fertilizer, carried out by Dr. Isam Sabbah. The research proposals, which were submitted to local
latter project is funded by United States Agency and international funders.
for International Development (USAID) to
the sum of USD 200,000 over a period of
 Thus far, the Center has gained funding for
four research projects, two from local funders (the
two years. This is a joint research project
Ministry of Science and Technology) and two from
with the Hebron University (HU), the
international funders (two German funds: BIODIAK
Royal Scientific Society of Jordan
and BMBF). The research projects were approved
(RSS) and the Newe Ya’ar
in the sum of million New Israeli Shekels over a
Organization (ARO).
period of three years. Work on these research projects
will commence in the middle of 2007.
20 2

12. The naqab
DepaRTmenT
The Bedouins of the Naqab (Negev) desert, and
particularly those residing in the unrecognized villages,
constitute the most disadvantaged among the Arab
minority in Israel. The Galilee Society Naqab Department
therefore works to improve the general situation of this
group, through empowering the local community, and
women in particular, to actively further their own
development, as well as through various advocacy
and lobbying efforts.  Public Health Days: Similarly, the Galilee Society’s
Awareness Raising Campaigns in the Naqab have
continued with campaigns focusing on breast cancer as
2006 saw the second year of its three-year well as household accidents. Two Public Health Days
grant from ACSUR, the Spanish Agency and one Study Day dealing with the various health
for International Cooperation, and environmental issues affecting the Naqab Bedouin
and the Naqab Department were held in 2006.
achieved significant progress
in its program to strengthen Advocacy and Public  Women’s Health Education: During 2006, 28
health and education Awareness Initiatives Bedouin women from 4 unrecognized villages have
initiatives in the attended Naqab Department courses intended to raise
One of the Galilee Society goals for 2006 was to awareness on issues such as breast cancer, household
Bedouin unrecognized
expand legal advocacy efforts to healthcare rights accidents, nutrition, and other subjects.
villages of the Naqab.
and to the Naqab region. In particular, the EJC
 Women’s Leadership Courses: The Women’s
has been involved in the struggle to compel the
Leadership Courses have trained women from
government to resolve a serious sewage problem
various unrecognized villages in the Naqab in 2006.
in the Naqab village of Kseife. The Ministry of
This course takes the above health education course
Environment reacted quickly to an EJC pre-petition
a step further and includes education on the human
to pump the sewage out of the village and into
body, pregnancy, stages of fetal development, breast
an isolated cesspool. In addition, Naqab Depart-
cancer early detection, good nutrition, household
ment fought a campaign to pressure the Ministries
accidents (prevention and treatment) and First Aid.
of Health, Education and Environment to replace
the roof of Tel Kseife elementary school, which was
infested with asbestos. The Ministry of Education  First Aid for Daycare Teachers: Also in 2006, the
responded to the Galilee Society’s intervention by Naqab department organized two courses in First Aid for
allotting 200,000 NIS to removing the asbestos and 28 daycare teachers. In addition to First Aid education
building six new classrooms. Early in 2006 the these courses included some general information on
asbestos was completely removed, and the Naqab health awareness. Participants who passed a final
Department will continue to monitor the construc- exam were presented with a certificate from the Al-
tion of the new classrooms. alfiya Center (recognized by the Ministry of Health and
Education).
22 2

13. Special Training Programs Organizational Publicity
sTaff j Dr. Hassan Azaizeh
Rikaz Databank Senior Researcher
An event was held in Beer El Sabe’ (Beer Sheva) j Ahmad Sheikh Muhammad j Dr. Ahmad Yazbik
 Youth-to-Youth: Stewards of Health and the Director Developer
to recognize Naqab Department supporters and Senior Researcher
Environment: Through this project, young Board of Directors
funders, to acknowledge accomplishments, and j Aid Rohana
members of the Bedouin community were brought j Mr. Wael Omari, j Prof. Bashar Saad
to promote activities in the media. More than Statistician
together for a training course concerning various Chair Senior Researcher
200 dignitaries, supporters and media
health and environmental issues, which they then j Dr. Basel Ghattas
used to raise awareness among their peers in the
attended the Naqab Department’s j Mr. Abed Msalha, Health Rights Center
celebration of years of service Deputy Chairperson Senior Researcher
local community through a variety of projects and j Hannan Mannaa
activities. In 2006, the students arranged a health
to Palestinian Bedouins from j Ms. Souad Diab Director j Dr. Jeries Jadoun
the Naqab on November 2 Senior Researcher
day at Abu Bakr Primary School during which they j Dr. Walid Kaddan
Representatives from the Resource Development Dept. j Prof. Abdalla Bowirrat
discussed a variety of health and environmental
problems.
local media covered the j Dr. Abdallah Shahin Senior Researcher
event for radio, print, j Felice Nassar
j Dr. Ilyad Jahshan Director j Ahlam Hayek
and television, and
 Special Needs Education Courses for Bedouin: In The Galilee Society j Ms. Rosland Daem j Jenny Nyman Lab Technician
the Naqab Department’s ongoing efforts to improve General Director j Jamie Mandell j Bernadette Abu Atta
Dr. Ghattas was General Director Research Assistant
services to Arab-speaking residents with special
needs, it has successfully lobbied the state to offer interviewed j Dr. Basel Ghattas j Chris Sutton
Institutional Support j Nidal Masalha
Psychology and Special Needs education courses in for a local Research Student
Arabic at the Open University in Beer El Sabé (Beer r a d i o General Program Director j Entissar Shlewett,
Sheva). This program marks the first time many station. Administrative Assistant j Bahaa Hadia
j Mohammed Khatib Research Student
of these courses have been offered in Arabic at the
j Dr. Naim Karim Naqab Department j Kler Tawafshe
University and is in line with the Naqab Department’s
(from November 2006) Administrative Assistant
goal of launching health advocacy and outreach j Adnan Sa’id,
initiatives to secure rights and services for the Arab Naqab Dept. Director
Library Al-Maissam
Bedouin community in the Naqab.
j Reema Hayek j Dr. Salem Sane
Strategic Program j Dr. Omar Said
Librarian and Assistant to the
Publications Director
During 2006, the Naqab Department produced five
General Director j Mona Abu Ghalyun
j Iman Said
different pamphlets promoting the use of local plants j Kholod Al Assad Guide
Financial Department Administrative
in improving the health of the Naqab Bedouin. These
publications, which aim to present healthy, local, j Suheir Hanna-Armali, j Hisham Shahin
j Maher Abu-Ratewesh Guide
traditional plants scientifically in order to combat CPA and Director Mobile Clinic Driver
the trend of increased consumption of processed j Assad Dhamshi,
foods by Bedouin, are being distributed to up to ,000 Environmental Justice Center RD Center. Administrative Assistant
members of the targeted groups, especially women j Shadi Azzam
and educators involved in the Naqab Department’s
j Dr. Isam Sabbah
Lawyer Scientific Director
early childhood and health education programs and
j Naim Daoud j Dr. Sobhi Basheer
patients at the mobile health clinic.
Environmental Planner Senior Researcher
24 2

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