Hanukkah 5772

The past year has been a challenging one for proponents of democracy in Israel and around the world. We extend heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported us with generous contributions in 2011. Our work is not possible without your encouragement and assistance. To those of you who intend to make a financial commitment before the end of the year, we thank you in advance. And we look forward to another year of working together to build a stronger, more vital Jewish and democratic Israel.

Some highlights of the past year:

• IDI established a political action committee to advance its proposals for political reform

• IDI scholars played a major role in condemning, amending, and blocking numerous legislative initiatives that were potentially discriminatory, restrictive of free speech, or aimed at curbing the Supreme Court

• IDI formed a coalition to resolve the conversion crisis in Israel

• The Justice Ministry embraced important revisions to a new counter-terrorism bill proposed by IDI

• The IDI Caesarea Economic Forum powerfully advocated integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab Israelis into the workforce 

• The Supreme Court endorsed IDI proposals to add an appeals court so as to reduce the burden on the courts

• The Justice Ministry agreed to draft a new law defining fraud and breach of trust in line with IDI proposals

• IDI developed the framework for a new Freedom of Information Act

• Following the summer protests, IDI submitted a series of reform proposals to the Trajtenberg Commission for socio-economic change
  

IDI extends our warm wishes for a happy Hanukkah, joyous Holiday season, and wonderful New Year.