The fact that there are gaps between Arab and Jewish citizens in almost all areas of life is widely acknowledged in Israel, including the shapers of policy. While some decision makers and shapers of public opinion are calling for the promotion of equality and reducing the gaps between Jews and Arabs, others seek to delegitimize and limit the rights of Arab citizens of Israel.

Join us for an engaging and intimate evening with Sikkuy's Co-Executive Directors, Ali Haider & Ron Gerlitz, as we discuss the most relevant issues affecting advancement of civic equality in Israel.

Ali Haider, Adv. has been the Co-Executive Director of Sikkuy since 2004. He was previously the director of Sikkuy's Employment Equity and Fair Representation project. Ali holds L.L.B and L.L.M. degrees from Bar-Ilan University and was admitted to the Israeli Bar Association in 1997. He is widely recognized and extensively published as an expert in the field of affirmative action for disadvantaged and minority groups in Israel. Ali lives in the village of Ibellin in the western Galilee.

Ron Gerlitz joined Sikkuy as Co-Executive Director in January 2009. He is a graduate of Hebrew University in Jerusalem with a B.S. in mathematics and computer science and an MA in public policy, both magna cum laude. He began his professional career in hi-tech, working for six years, both in Israel and in Silicon Valley. Ron also devoted his energy to political activism, both in Israel and in the USA. Before joining Sikkuy, Ron was a project manager at the Israel Venture Network (IVN). He took part in developing strategies and implementing projects advancing local economic development in the periphery, both in the Jewish and Arab sectors. He lives in the town of Srigim in the Ela Valley near Beit Shemesh.

Sikkuy (a "chance" or "opportunity" in Hebrew) is a non-partisan NGO in Israel that develops and implements projects to advance equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel in government budgets, resource allocation, hiring policy, land usage, access to government services, etc.  Sikkuy is jointly governed by Arab and Jewish co-chairs, managed by Arab and Jewish co-executive directors and staffed by Arabs and Jews.