The October 2011 Newsletter of the Israel Democracy Institute

October 2011

New Beginnings

On October 18, Israel rejoiced as Gilad Shalit was reunited with his family after five years in captivity. In an op-ed for Makor Rishon, IDI Vice President Prof. Yedidia Z. Stern reflects on the difficulties inherent in the lopsided deal between Israel and Hamas and draws some lessons for the future. In an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard University's Prof. Robert H. Mnookin, a member of IDI's International Advisory Council, analyzes the cost of "Israel's deals with the devils."

IDI Launches New Fellowship Program

On November 3, 2011, six outstanding young scholars will begin a three-year fellowship as part of IDI's exciting new project, Human Rights and Judaism. Meet this diverse group of researchers, who will explore the nexus between liberal thought and the unique rights and obligations of the Jewish tradition. Meet the fellows

IDI Events

IDI International Advisory Council Meets at the Hoover Institution
Headed by George P. Shultz, IDI's International Advisory Council met on October 23-24 to explore domestic challenges facing Israel's leadership and discuss IDI's role in overcoming them. This year's guest was Former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. Find out more

Guest Lecture by International Expert on Philosophy and Law
On November 10, 2011, Professor Daniel Markovits of Yale Law School will speak on "Toleration and the Special Problem of Revealed Religion" as part of IDI's Human Rights and Judaism Project. Find out more

Roundtable on Potentially Discriminatory Legislation
On November 20, 2011, IDI's George Shultz Roundtable Forum will convene to discuss several controversial legislative initiatives in the Knesset. Additional information will be available on the IDI website shortly.

Integrating Arab Citizens into the Israeli Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities
On Wednesday, November 23, 2011, IDI will convene a full-day seminar on the integration of Israeli Arab citizens into the workforce, as part of the activities of IDI's Arab-Jewish Relations project. A detailed program will be available on the IDI website shortly.

More News and Analysis from IDI

Now Available: Reforming Israel's Political System

Recommendations of Forum for Political Reform

On March 28, 2011, Former Supreme Court President Meir Shamgar submitted the recommendations of IDI's Forum for Political Reform in Israel to the Knesset. An English translation of the booklet with the Forum's recommendations and plan of action is now available.

Download here

Video Interview: IDI's Prof. Tamar Hermann on the 2011 Israeli Democracy Index

In late September, IDI presented the 2011 Israeli Democracy Index to President Shimon Peres. IDI Senior Fellow Prof. Tamar Hermann, Director of the Guttman Center, who co-authored the Index, shares insights about this year's study.

View the interview

Did Trajtenberg Rise to the Occasion? The government responded to the summer's protests by establishing the Trajtenberg Committee. But some feel the committee's recommendations did not go far enough. IDI Senior Fellow Dr. Momi Dahan shares his views in this op-ed. Read the article		Focus On: The Palmer Report The UN Secretary General's Panel of Inquiry into the flotilla incident of May 31, 2010 concluded that Israel's naval blockade of Gaza complied with international law, but argued that Israel should have made greater efforts to intercept the flotilla peacefully. Read more in the Terrorism Newsletter

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