IDI News: October, 2010 - The Israel Democracy Institute

October, 2010

IDI Scholars Weigh in on Loyalty Oath

The 'loyalty oath' approved by the Israeli government, which requires those seeking Israeli citizenship to pledge allegiance to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic State," made national headlines this month. IDI scholars were at the forefront of the debate surrounding this controversial legislation.

"Where's Our Common Sense?" by Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer (Haaretz)

"Loyalty is not a Value" by Prof. Yedidia Stern and Prof. Avi Sagi (Haaretz)

An analysis by IDI Senior Fellow Emeritus Prof. Ruth Gavison (Ynet Magazine)

The Jerusalem Post's coverage of the positions of leading Israeli academicians.

Two Views from IDI: Actors' Boycott of Ariel

Prof. Yedidia Stern and Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer

If Israeli artists and intellectuals object to Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, should they refuse to appear there? IDI Vice Presidents Yedidia Stern and Mordechai Kremnitzer present two divergent views on this question in "A Boycott on Both Your Houses" (Stern) and "Protest and Punishment" (Kremnitzer).

Events at IDI

Roundtable on Counter-Terrorism Memorandum Bill
On October 3, 2010, IDI's George Shultz Roundtable Forum discussed the Justice Ministry's draft of comprehensive counter-terrorism legislation and put forward suggestions for improvement. Find out more

IDI-NYU Symposium on Democracy and National Security
On October 4, 2010, IDI and NYU's Taub Center for Israel Studies convened a symposium devoted to "Democracy and National Security: The American and Israeli Experiences." See the program

Conference: The Haredi Community in a Changing Society
On October 13, 2010, IDI hosted a conference on the Haredi Community in a Changing Society, focusing on education, employment, and military service. Find out more

Memorial for Prof. Asher Arian: Roundtable on the State of Israeli Democracy Today
On October 21, 2010, IDI hosted a memorial event for IDI Senior Fellow Prof. Asher Arian, who headed IDI's Political Reform Program and spearheaded the inclusion of The Guttman Center in IDI's activities. See the Program

SAVE THE DATE! Conference on the Media and Public Trust
On November 7, 2010, IDI will host a full-day conference on the media and its impact on the public's confidence in the political system. This event will be broadcast live on the IDI website (Hebrew). To attend, please RSVP at 02-530-0844. See the program

SAVE THE DATE! Conference on Human Rights and Judaism
On November 17, 2010, IDI will host a full-day conference on "Human Rights and Duties in a Jewish and Democratic State." This event will be broadcast live on the IDI website (Hebrew). See the program

SAVE THE DATE! The President's Conference: Release of the 2010 Israel Democracy Index
On November 30, 2010, IDI will present the findings of the 2010 Israeli Democracy Index to President Shimon Peres. Be sure to visit the IDI website on Nov. 30th to read the findings.

More News from IDI

IDI Responds to Counter-Terrorism Bill

The Israeli Ministry of Justice recently drafted a comprehensive counter-terrorism memorandum bill to enable the state to deal more effectively with terrorism. Read an English summary of IDI's critique and proposed revisions, now being considered by the Justice Ministry, or the full Hebrew document.

IDI In the News: Riots of October 2000

The findings of an IDI research report about the handling of inquiries into the death of three civilians during the October 2000 riots became front page news in Israel at the start of October 2010. Read the Haaretz coverage of the findings of the soon-to-be-published study by Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer and Adv. Lina Saba.

IDI Outreach In 2010, IDI was visited by more international guests than in any single year since its founding in 1991. Click here to read about three groups of scholars, professionals, and students who joined IDI researchers around the George Shultz Roundtable this summer. For information on on how to schedule a group visit to IDI, contact Barak Cohen, Director of International Communications, at barak@idi.org.il		New from IDI Press Non-Jewish Courts in the Jewish State – This policy paper by Dr. Yitzhak Brand and Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern reviews the attitude of Jewish law towards the Israeli court system. > Read More The Attorney General and the State Prosecutor: Is Institutional Separation Warranted? This policy paper by Prof. Gad Barzilai proposes a reform that would strengthen the office of the state prosecutor. > Read the English Abstract > Download the full Hebrew publication

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