UN panel to hear "Israel" respond to charges of bias against Arabs

Source: Haaretz, 27-2-2007
"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 (1948-Palestinians), 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.
"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 (Zionist) institutions - The Jewish (Zionist) National Fund and the Jewish (Zionist) Agency - over state lands. According to Adala, the fact that part of the lands are being allocated only to Jews (Zionists) 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 (1948-Palestinians) 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 (1948-Palestinians) 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.