Givat Haviva’s statement in response to the National State Law

We, the members of Givat Haviva’s Public Council, stand in support of all those who are leading together the agenda for creating a shared society in Israel - even at these difficult times in the wake of the National State Law - An Israeli society based on civic equality, substantive democracy and protection for minorities: these are the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel.

We are categorically opposed to the oppressive National State law whose hasty enactment has created a deep rift between Arab citizens and the state, and we seek its immediate revocation. This law delivers a mortal wound to Israel’s social resilience and undermines the legitimacy of the citizenship of some 20 percent of the country's population. The law nullifies the principle of equality, which is critical to our efforts to establish a shared society, and undermines the foundations of equality that we have been working on for 70 years.

Alongside our serious concerns, we are encouraged by the many voices of citizens protesting the law - points of light in the darkness that has descended on us - and we are working together with all the organizations in the field to strengthen the civic protest and to amplify its voice.

We call upon the Jewish public in Israel to extend a supportive hand to Arab citizens, as true partners in the struggle for equal and shared citizenship, and to demonstrate this through personal and public action.

We call on the Arab public in Israel to work with us in all possible legal ways to abolish this law and to continue to support the joint Jewish-Arab endeavor to create a moral, democratic, and egalitarian state. Givat Haviva - The Center for the Advancement of Shared Life in Israel - will continue to act, educate and build, without despair and with great faith, a cohesive society that includes every citizen in the spirit of faith in humanity and the values of the Declaration of Independence.

Signed,

Ayman Saif, Co-Chair, Givat Haviva Public Council for the Advancement of Shared Life in Israel

Professor Zvi Eckstein, Co-Chair, Givat Haviva Public Council for the Advancement of Shared Life in Israel

Yaniv Sagee, Executive Director, Givat Haviva

Mohammad Darawshe, Director of Planning, Equality, and Shared Society, Givat Haviva

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