If all goes as planned, there will soon be a new Israeli government without Bibi Netanyahu but with an independent Arab party in the governing coalition. Is this an important step toward the better integration of the Palestinian Arab minority citizens of Israel?
At the AIS Conference, I attended some extremely interesting panels on women. One young scholar talked about how Hareidi Feminists--yes, they use the term--are, through their activism on a number of issues--family violence, jobs, etc.--are redefining what it means to be Hareidi and what it means to be a feminist. In many of their demonstrations and activities, they are joined by Muslim Palestinians. The terms we use to describe identity--drawing on statements made by leaders or by official cultural centers of power are not necessarily the way ordinary people in the real world understand their identities. Mansur Abbas has been criticized for downplaying Palestinian identity and by extension, the Palestinian cause. But his emphasis on improving the lives of Palestinians may be his way to strengthen the lives of Palestinians and offer them a choice about how they may wish to give meaning to their Palestinian identity.
At the AIS Conference, I attended some extremely interesting panels on women. One young scholar talked about how Hareidi Feminists--yes, they use the term--are, through their activism on a number of issues--family violence, jobs, etc.--are redefining what it means to be Hareidi and what it means to be a feminist. In many of their demonstrations and activities, they are joined by Muslim Palestinians. The terms we use to describe identity--drawing on statements made by leaders or by official cultural centers of power are not necessarily the way ordinary people in the real world understand their identities. Mansur Abbas has been criticized for downplaying Palestinian identity and by extension, the Palestinian cause. But his emphasis on improving the lives of Palestinians may be his way to strengthen the lives of Palestinians and offer them a choice about how they may wish to give meaning to their Palestinian identity.
That's very interesting. I had never heard of the satellite lists before.