Building A New Future for Israeli Society

Building A New Future for Israeli Society
Tue / Apr 5 / 12:00 pm ET / Online
Dr. Thabet Abu Ras, Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu, MK Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, and Rabbi Zuckerman

Last May, Israel grappled with war in Gaza and the eruption of conflict on the streets in many cities where neighbors turned on each other in scenes of violence. One month later, a new government coalition was formed, spanning a wide political spectrum and including a party representing Arab society for the first time. These upheavals have created unprecedented space for progress in building a more equal and shared society for all Israelis, Jewish and Arab alike. Our panel, Member of Knesset Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi (Meretz) and Dr. Thabet Abu Ras and Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu, co-CEOs of Abraham Initiatives, will discuss these critical societal issues: How are civil society organizations like Abraham Initiatives and the new Israeli government partnering and responding to these unprecedented events? What does this reveal about the future directions of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel?

You can register at this link. More information about this program can be found here.

Dr. Thabet Abu Ras is the co-CEO of The Abraham Initiatives. In his role, he has significantly strengthened the organization’s partnerships with public and political leaders in Arab society. Dr. Abu Ras had a central role in creating the Future Visions documents, which have provided a roadmap for the demands of Israel’s Arab community. An expert on Arab politics in Israel and a prominent voice promoting Jewish-Arab political partnership, he continues to publish articles regularly in the Hebrew and Arabic press. 

Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu has served as the co-CEO of The Abraham Initiatives since 2004. Prior to joining The Abraham Initiatives, Amnon acted as the Director of Marketing Communications at the Jerusalem Foundation. He also served as Spokesperson of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption under Minister MK Yair Tsaban and was involved in shaping Israel’s policy of immigrant absorption during the waves of immigration from the FSU and Ethiopia. 

Knesset Member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi is the deputy Speaker of the Knesset – the first Arab woman to hold the position – and Chair of Knesset Caucus for Shared Living. She also serves on the Finance, Economics Affairs, and Arab Society committees. Rinawie Zoabi was the founding Executive Director of Injaz Center for Professional Arab Local Governance and was included in the 2018 at the Forbes Israel list of 50 Most Influential Women in Israel.

This program is presented in partnership with Park Avenue Synagogue.