Arab citizens comprise 20% of Israeli society. Although they are formally equal before the law, Arab citizens of Israel face significant discrimination in many areas of life. Sikkuy, a shared organization of Jewish and Arab citizens and a strategic grantee of New Israel Fund, works to implement full equality on all levels between the Arab Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel. Sikkuy Co-Directors Ron and Rawnak join us in DC at a time when Israelis and American Jews are taking a strong stand for democracy and equality.

Join us for a conversation on one of the most pressing issues in Israel today. 

About the speakers:

Rawnak Natour, Co-Director of Sikkuy, was born in Kalanswa and received her BA in community social work and MA in early childhood education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she was active in the Arab student’s association. For a number of years she worked on the Shatil team advancing equal rights and coordinated the project for special education for the Arab community.  She has 20 years of experience in a wide range of fields in social activism and human and civil rights. Among these activities, she led, managed and participated in projects to advance equal rights in employment, education and against discrimination. In recent years, Rawnak held a wide range of managerial positions in frameworks to advance employment opportunities for educated immigrants in Denmark.

Ron Gerlitz, Co-Director of Sikkuy, is an expert on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and frequently writes op-eds about the status of relations between the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel and between Arab citizens and the state. Ron is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a B.Sc. 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 as software and algorithm team leader, both in Israel and in Silicon Valley. Before joining Sikkuy, Ron was a project manager at the Israel Venture Network. He took part in developing strategies and implementing projects advancing local economic development in the periphery, both in the Jewish and Arab sectors.

The event is presented in partnership with Tifereth Israel Congregation and the Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab issues.