Hello
We are happy to present the newsletter for the month of January, which will include a comparative study dealing with the issue of return of refugees and restoration of property rights as it is treated in numerous countries worldwide. In addition, you will find a new position paper surveying the topic of sports activities on the Sabbath.
In addition to various updates regarding the Institute's activities in the 'Blue & White Human Rights' and 'The Pioneer' (HeHalutz) programs. We will also be discussing the new book recently published by the Institute's chair, Dr. Yoaz Hendel, 'In an Unsown Land' (Be'eretz Lo Ze'ru'ah).
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Another Football Sabbath?
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A new position paper, by Aviad Huminer and Ariel Finkelstein, was recently published as part of The Golden Mean project. The paper suggests a restructuring of Nation-State-Religion relations, and outlines a proposal whereby football games, and other branches of sports, need not take place on the Sabbath.
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The proposed outline includes a rescheduling of games played on the Sabbath to the end of the Sabbath, i.e. Saturday night, and moving various sports competitions to Fridays or vacation days. The program also encompasses encouraging the cancellation of school studies on Fridays, thus further increasing the possibility of scheduling sporting events on Fridays.
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In recent years, it is repeatedly claimed that the State of Israel has deviated from international Law and benchmarks concerning the rights of Arab refugees in matters of lands and reparations.
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Such claims attempt to create the misconception that the State of Israel exercises a discriminatory policy against its Arab population. We have examined these claims to determine whether there is any truth in them. We have conducted a comparative study of International Law, as well as the current policy de facto in 29 representative countries. The study concludes that there is no reasonable bases for the charges against Israel.
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In recent months we have witnessed a stormy public debate concerning "Breaking the Silence" (NGO) and whether their activities are performed in good faith for an ethical objective.
This public debate, by its very nature, also exposed the public to the important educational activities of Blue&White Human Rights. Unlike other human rights organizations, we promote constructive improvement rather than public defamation and delegitimization of Israel.
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We have succeeded in creating a highly successful, meaningful and Zionist alternative: We ask soldiers to turn to us in case they have witnessed or experienced problems during the course of their military service.
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Our educational programs 'Purity of Arms' (Tohar Ha'Neshek) and 'For the Sake of the Spirit' (Biglal Ha'Ru'ach) are the only programs in Israel that promotes the IDF's ethical code as an ideological educational Zionist doctrine that should be taught to pre-military youth.
We have been repeatedly mentioned in the media and our activities have received positive public exposure, including mention in the Knesset speech by MK Yoav Kish.
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This is the place to mention the fact that all our activities take place on a regular basis as part of an ongoing attempt by the Institute to encourage a new type of human rights discourse, one that is inclusive of all and not disconnected from Zionist values.
We work in the field and try to disseminate our message and mission throughout the Country.
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In the past month, in addition to our routine educational activities and visits to the checkpoints, we have presented our ideas and doctrine before students of the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, the Alma Pre-military Program for Female Leadership in Ofakim and a delegation of activists from the Jewish-American world.
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The Pioneer Program (He'Halutz)
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This month saw the opening of The Pioneer program for Zionist thought and action, together with the JNF as joint partners. The program is headed by Dr. Nati Avneri and currently opened up two centers: at the Sapir Academic College and the Ashdod College. Another center is due to open up in Rehovot.
Kudos to all those engaged in this enterprise!
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The Institute in the media
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Dr. Yoaz Hendel's New Book
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| | In his new book, In an Unsown Land, which was published this past month, Dr. Yoaz Hendel outlines his political, social and state-security doctrine.
Upon the book's publication, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper conducted an extensive interview with him. |
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Prof. Moshe Arens Celebrates His 90th
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| | Mazal tov to the former Minister of Defense, Prof. Moshe Arens, founding associate of the Institute, who has reached the age of 90!
We recommend that you read the extensive interview held with him in Israel Hayom. |
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In articles published by members of the Institute, a variety of current affairs and matters of public concern have been tackled:
- The Institute's chair, Dr. Yoaz Hendel, wonders out loud whether a Republican president would be better for Israel (Yehdioth Ahronoth).
- Miri Shalem, CEO of the institute, calls upon the ultra-Orthodox sector to adopt a discourse of accountability (Makor Rishon).
- Yisrael Harel, founding chair of the Institute, refutes John Kerry's warnings of a boycott (Haaretz).
Hebrew:
- Prof. Asher Cohen offers an analysis of the different social sectors in which there really is refusal to serve in the Israeli military (nrg).
- Rabbi Yoel Bin-Nun warns against a "Samson's revenge" in the radical margins of our society (Makor Rishon).
- Adi Arbel, project manager, lists the seven sins of "Breaking the Silence". (Israel National News).
- Nave Dromi, manager of Blue&White Human Rights, ponders where the secular right has disappeared to (Walla!).
- Ariel Finkelstein, manager of The Golden Mean project, denunciates the fact that Kabbalist Rabbis are not taxed (Walla!).
- Tzachi Kirshberg, educational manager of Blue&White Human Rights, entreats that the right-wing camp not be tied up with the hatred wedding (Walla!).
- Uri Heitner praises the important activities of Blue&White Human Rights (Israel Hayom).
- Uriel Friedman, graduate of the Institute's young leadership program, explains in what way the organizers of the social protest erred (Mida).
- Matan Asher, one of the founders of Blue&White Human Rights, offers his insights following the reading of Dennis Ross' new book (Mida).
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