IDI News: November, 2010 - The Israel Democracy Institute

November, 2010

IDI Facilitates High-Level Debates on Counter-Terrorism

Democracies the world over struggle with the tension between the need to defeat terrorism and the need to uphold democratic values and protect human rights. IDI is at the forefront of debate regarding this matter, both in Israel and internationally, and is playing a leading role in the development of adequate legal frameworks to contend with this issue.

Symposium on Detention Policy, Washington, DC
On November 12, 2010, IDI's International Task Force on Terror, Democracy and the Law convened at the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC, for two days of deliberation on detention of terrorist suspects and the use of classified Intelligence in legal proceedings.
> Read More

Roundtable on Israel's Counter-Terrorism Memorandum Bill
In early October, IDI provided vital feedback regarding the Justice Ministry's proposed comprehensive counter-terrorism legislation, both by means of a written critique and a roundtable event.

Roundtable on Human Rights and the Fight Against Terror
On November 28, 2010, in response to the Human Rights Commitee's latest report on Israel's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, IDI convened a panel of experts to discuss the role of human rights law in the fight against terror.
> View Video Interview with Prof. Yuval Shany

Book Release: Exceptional Measures in the Struggle Against Terrorism

Can a suspect be detained without trial because he is seen as a threat to national security? Can a suicide bomber's home be demolished if it hasn't been proven that his/her family was involved in the act? Can Israel expel Palestinian terrorists from Judea and Samaria to areas outside of the State's control? This new book discusses three administrative measures used in Israel's struggle against terror: administrative detention, home demolition, and deportation and assigned residence. Read the abstracts

Events at IDI

Breaking News: The Israeli Democracy Index
Today – November 30th, 2010 – IDI presented the 2010 Israeli Democracy Index to President Shimon Peres. Full coverage will be made available on the IDI website in the coming days. Read the 2010 Israeli Democracy Index

Conference on Human Rights in Judaism
On November 17, 2010, IDI launched its Human Rights in Judaism project with a full-day conference on Human Rights and Duties in a Jewish and Democratic State. Full video coverage of this event is now available on IDI's website (Hebrew). Find out more

Symposium: The Media and Public Trust in the Political System
On November 7, 2010, IDI convened a full-day symposium that explored whether the media's criticism of the political system is constructive or destructive. Read the summary of the event (English) and view the video coverage (Hebrew). Find out more

Conference on the Haredi Community in a Changing Society
In mid-October, IDI hosted a full-day conference on changes in education, employment, and military service in Israel's ultra-Orthodox community. An English summary of this event and full video coverage (Hebrew) is now available on IDI's website. Find out more

More News from IDI

IDI Vice President Fights Proposed Legislation
On November 28, 2010, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin prevented MKs from voting on a controversial law that would enable community acceptance committees to reject applicants based on lack of "cultural suitability." According to Haaretz, Rivlin "intervened after receiving negative feedback about the bill from Jewish leaders abroad, Foreign Ministry officials and Israel Democracy Institute fellows." IDI's VP Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer was one of the most vocal opponents of this discriminatory bill, which could have negative ramifications for Israeli Arabs, other minorities in Israel, and Jews around the world. Read an op-ed and view a video interview with Prof. Kremnitzer
Book on Jewish Renaissance by IDI's Yair Sheleg Receives Enthusiastic Reception
The Jewish Renaissance in Israeli Society: The Emergence of a New Jew by IDI Senior Researcher Yair Sheleg is an analysis of the new age of spirituality in Israeli culture. In the last few weeks, this new book has received warm reviews in the Makor Rishon Hebrew weekly and in the Jewish Ideas Daily on-line journal. Read the Abstract Read the Review by Yehudah Mirsky in Jewish Ideas Daily

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