Is 'Basic Law: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People’ Necessary?
Hemdat Hadarom College of Education, Kiryat HaChinuch, Sadot Negev Regional Council
This forum is open to the public. To RSVP call Dr. Tzivia Bar-Shalom: 054-4659339 or Ms. Odelia Eter: 054-9007232
In its Basic Laws of 1992, Israel is defined as a "Jewish and democratic state." The Knesset is currently considering two new pieces of legislation: a new Basic Law that would define Israel as "the nation state of the Jewish people" and a bill that would grant Israel's Declaration of Independence constitutional status. Is there a need for such constitutional anchors? If so, what form should they take and what should they include?
On May 20, 2013, IDI and the Hemdat Hadarom College of Education will convene a conference to explore these questions.
This event was conducted in partnership with
The David Berg Foundation
3:30–3:45 pm
Opening Remarks
Prof. Zacharia Madar, Rector of Hemdat Hadarom College
Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, Vice President of Research, Israel Democracy Institute
3:45–5:00 pm
Session One: A Jewish and Democratic State, Equality and Collective Rights
Chair: Mr. Arnon Meir, Director of Government Relations, Israel Democracy Institute
Justice Dalia Dorner (Emeritus), Former Supreme Court Justice, President of the Israel Press Council
Rabbi Itshak Levy, Dean of Students at Hemdat Hadarom College, Former Minister of Education
Attorney Lila Margalit, Association for Civil Rights in Israel
5:00–6:30 pm
Session Two: Teaching Jewish and Democratic Values
Chair: Mr. Yair Sheleg, Research Fellow, Israel Democracy Institute
Prof. Nimrod Aloni, Director of the Institute for Progressive Education, UNESCO Chair in Humanistic Education, Kibbutzim College of Education
Ms. Shira Breuer, Principal of the Pelech High School in Jerusalem
Dr. Riki Tesler, Chairwoman of the Academic Forum for Civics Instruction, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Open University
Prof. Avi Levy, President, Hemdat Hadarom College
6:45–8:15 pm
Concluding Session: Enacting Basic Law: Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State
Chair: Mr. Arnon Meir, Director of Government Relations, Israel Democracy Institute
Justice Neal Handel, Supreme Court Justice
Mr. Israel Harel, Founding Chairman of the Center for Religious Zionism; Columnist, Haaretz
Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer, Vice President of Research, Israel Democracy Institute
Prof. Yedidia Stern, Vice President of Research, Israel Democracy Institute; Prof. of Law, Bar-Ilan University
