After Iran and the West Bank-Gaza problems have been resolved, how does the Jewish state deal with its own population of Muslims, known as Israeli Arabs? Twenty percent of its citizens are largely opposed to its existence and in some cases actively disloyal to it. What must Israelis do to preserve the Zionist achievement in the long term, how does Israel deal with this growing, alienated population? Are Israeli Arabs now Palestinians? Where do Israeli Arabs fit in the constellation of Middle East alliances?

Speakers:

Elie Rekhess, Tel Aviv University
Onn Winckler, Haifa University
Sammy Smooha, Haifa University
Khaled Abu Toameh, The Jerusalem Post
Ishmael Khaldi, Advisor to Foreign Minister

Invited guests:

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
Moshe Yaalon, Deputy Prime Minister
Natan Sharansky, Member of Knesset
Danny Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister
Benny Begin, Minister Without Portfolio
Dan Meridor. Deputy Prime Minister
Uzi Rubin, Fmr. Head of Israel's Strategic Missile Defense Agency
Yaakov Katz, The Jerusalem Post's Senior Military Correspondent
Uzi Landau, Minister of National Infrastructure/Former Minister of Internal Security Danny Danon, Member of Knesset

 

Itinerary

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Depart for Israel

Thursday, March 8, 2012

• Arrive Ben Gurion airport.

TEL AVIV

• Overnight – Tel Aviv (Dan Tel Aviv)

Friday, March 9, 2012

• Visit the security wall (dividing the West Bank from Israel)
• Visit Israeli Arab villages and meet with leaders
• Briefing from the Israel Defense Forces
• Overnight – Tel Aviv (Dan Tel Aviv)

Saturday, March 10, 2012
JAFFA

• Morning walking tour to Jaffa
• Free afternoon
• Evening panel discussion on "Israeli Arabs: History and Sociology" Guest speaker - Elie Rekhess, Tel Aviv University
• Overnight – Tel Aviv (Dan Tel Aviv)

Sunday, March 11, 2012
BUS TOUR TO NORTHERN ISRAEL
Northern Israel has some of the country's most spectacular geography – and where most Israeli Arabs live.

• Haifa – 50% Israeli Arab, the capital of Israeli Arab culture
• Nazareth – the historic Christian town of the Galilee
• Acre – the final Crusader town
• Wadi Ara - a region that is 100% Arab

HAIFA

• Evening panel discussion: "Israeli Arabs: Demography and Attitudes" Guest speakers - Onn Winckler and Sammy Smooha, Haifa University
• Overnight in Haifa (Dan Carmel Hotel).

Monday, March 12, 2012
GOLAN HEIGHTS/Jordan Valley/Jericho

• Visit the Golan Heights.
• Briefings from the IDF command on Hizbullah and Syria.
• Travel to Jerusalem through Beit Shaan, the Jordan Valley, and Jericho.

JERUSALEM

• Evening panel discussion: "Israeli Arabs: Friend or Foe" Speaker-Khaled Abu Toameh, The Jerusalem Post
• Overnight in Jerusalem (Inbal Hotel)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

• Visit Jerusalem
• Evening panel discussion: "Israeli Arabs: And Foreign Policy" Guest speaker - Ismail Khaldi, Advisor to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman
• Overnight in Jerusalem (Inbal Hotel)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

• Conference at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center on "Islam and the Claim to Jerusalem"
• Farewell dinner with political and military leaders.
• Overnight in Jerusalem (Inbal Hotel)

Thursday, March 15, 2012

• Leave Israel (or extend your stay in Israel on your own)
• Eilat-Petra Extension

Program:

Thursday, March 15, 2012

• Domestic flight to Eilat, the beautiful resort city on the shores of the Red Sea.
• Enjoy the rest of the day in this little paradise…

Friday, March 16, 2012

• Free day in Eilat

Saturday, March 17, 2012

• Full day tour to the amazing "red city" of Petra.
• In the late afternoon return to your hotel in Eilat.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

• AM free in Eilat
• Late afternoon flight to Ben Gurion International Airport

See Detailed Itinerary for more details