THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE FOR ISRAEL STUDIES ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE FOR ISRAEL STUDIES ANNUAL REPORT 2007

2 Preface Preface The year 2007 was a year of great activity, with a number of new and special projects and a slew of new publications almost two a month. This report offers information on some of what we have been able to accomplish. The Institute held a large number of major public events, the most important of which was a conference on the management of the historic basin of Jerusalem; this was dedicated to Lisa Goldberg, the recently deceased former president of the Revson Foundation. Other well-publicized and well-attended conferences were held on Jerusalem's population, on the disengagement from Gaza, and on Arab East Jerusalem. The wealth of data the Institute released in honor of Jerusalem's 40 years of re-unification won world-wide media attention. When preparations for the Annapolis Summit began, we were proud to have laid the groundwork for talks on Jerusalem. Once again the importance of serious, proper planning became clear, without which the Israeli teams would have been left unprepared for the meetings on a permanent settlement; the Institute had the foresight to focus on what have become crucial matters and to produce relevant working papers. With the conference ending on an optimistic note, and plans for intensive negotiations over the course of the whole year, we hope for progress towards peace and that the Institute's research will help make what undoubtedly will be a rocky road a little smoother. Equally important, the Institute has won increasing recognition among governmental authorities and decision-makers: this year, for example, Institute teams on subjects as diverse as means to mitigate urban poverty, plans for saving the Dead Sea and industrial innovation were all invited to present their work to government ministers and ministries. With growing global awareness to environmental issues, the Institute's Environmental Policy Center developed two new foci: the eroding cliff shores of Israel, which are part of a broader problem of the whole Mediterranean basin, and water needs as a core issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Work on both these issues demands the coordination and consideration of both national and international authorities. 2

3 Preface The Institute's publications, having gained a reputation for quality and reliability, are in ever greater demand (twenty-one new publications were produced this year alone). Thanks to a grant from the Pratt Foundation, this year's Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook will be distributed internationally on a whole new scale. In 2008 the Jerusalem Institute will celebrate its 30 th anniversary, which we hope will be a year of stock-taking and renewal of spiritual and scientific creativity. We are planning a complete makeover of our website, expansion of our General Assembly and intensive efforts to increase our publications in English. We would like to thank the Revson Foundation and all of our supporters for their help in enabling us to grow and develop, and hope that our efforts to contribute to improving Israel's policies and decision-making continue to be fruitful. Ora Ahimeir Director The new generation at the Institute 3

4 I. Research Projects I. Research Projects The Jerusalem Institute seeks to find a balance in its work between devoting its resources to issues that are timely and relevant to the national agenda on the one hand, without giving in to pressure to rush for whatever might be in the day's headlines, on the other. We believe that the institute should pursue subjects that policymakers need to address, but insist on producing in-depth and quality research that requires expertise and serious, long-range planning. This requires a certain amount of foresight that we believe we are doing our best to maintain. Of the major topics the Institute has been researching in 2007, several have come to national and international prominence in recent months. A. Disengagement from the Arab Neighborhoods of Jerusalem After twenty years of division between Jordan and Israel and another forty years as a united city under Israel neither ever fully recognized by the international community Jerusalem and the possibility of dividing it have again come up for discussion. Although negotiations on the subject seemed impossible, we anticipated that the issue might be raised unexpectedly, as actually happened when the Annapolis Summit was announced. In preparation for negotiations on the subject, the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies began preparing a thorough-going report on the issues that need to be confronted regarding a possible withdrawal from the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. A map showing possible This ground-breaking study proved to be one of the most alternatives for disengagement in East Jerusalem important of the Institute's projects. Exploring the possible ramifications of Israel severing itself from some or all of the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem, most of which were annexed to the city following the Six- 4

5 I. Research Projects Day War, is a difficult and delicate task. For Israelis, although until recently largely considered taboo, this possibility has been discreetly raised as a solution to the shifting demographic balance in the city. For Palestinians, such a solution would enable expansion of their control and serve as recognition of their right to develop their own part of the city. One of the most pressing concerns for Jerusalem's heterogeneous population is the status of Arab residents of East Jerusalem who may, at some point in the future, find themselves no longer living in Israel. As Prof. Yaacov Bar- Siman-Tov has pointed out, Israel's laws regarding Jerusalem never specified the city's borders. The government, however, has already Institute researchers Israel Kimhi and Muhammed Nachal meeting with residents accepted, by agreeing to U.S. President Clinton's of East Jerusalem "road map", the principle that Arab neighborhoods come under the control of the Palestinian Authority; yet any change in the nation's current boundaries requires approval of the Knesset. Dr Robbie Sabel, former legal adviser to the Foreign Ministry, expects that on the basis of international law Arab residents of East Jerusalem will probably be entitled to choose between staying in place and losing their status in Israel, or having to relocate within Israel but thereby maintain their residency rights. Gilad Noam, also examining the legal aspects, points out that unilateral action by Israel on the ground will not relieve the country of its obligations to the residents. In a detailed analysis by law professors Lapidoth and Hirsch, an array of alternatives is presented for guaranteeing residents of East Jerusalem social, health and other services including work permits that Israel will likely be bound to provide. An analysis of the demographics and the geographical outlay of the neighborhoods under question are crucial issues for decision-makers. Israel Kimhi, a researcher in geography and urban planning reviews the complexity of the situation: the logistics of separation will not be easy. Especially in light of the great expansion of the city under Israeli control, renewed separation Government Minister Rafael Eitan (right) with the head of the Jerusalem Institute, Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov 5

6 I. Research Projects of the interconnected neighborhoods will have serious social, commercial, and religious consequences. Clear criteria and priorities for getting Arab neighborhoods under Palestinian rule are outlined to define the conditions in different areas around the city that must be considered prior to any move. The Jerusalem Institute's research lays out the problems that must be tackled in order to insure that any policy shifts take into account the repercussions and preparations necessary for Government Minister Haim Ramon (right) with Institute researchers Ruth Lapidoth, doing so. The Institute's drafts have been Israel Kimhi and Kobi Michael discussed with government ministers and top decision makers and have received wide coverage in the press. They have also been presented to the public through conferences and the web. B. The Historic Basin of Jerusalem This project brought together historians, geographers, and law experts to offer solutions for the future of the area of Jerusalem that contains the majority of the city's important religious and archaeological sites. Among the many sites encompassed, Jerusalem's historic basin includes the site of the First and Second Institute researchers on a study trip to the Jewish Temples, the Church of the Holy historic basin Sepulchre built where Jesus is said to have been buried, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, from where Muslims believe Mohammed ascended to heaven. The work group focused on five alternative solutions for the most sensitive area, the historic basin, and not on the whole of the city. These are complete Palestinian control, complete Israeli control, joint management, territorial division, or a special international regime. Among the five the last three are the most realistic, and would entail international involvement (of varying degrees) in the management of the historic basin that might mitigate the problems of deep-seated distrust between the parties. The group does not, however, recommend any particular solution; it tries to assess the feasibility of each according to a variety of criteria. Apart from an analysis of the 6

7 I. Research Projects alternatives the work addresses the repercussions of each on various fields, such as security, municipal management, access to the holy sites, education, sovereignty, and the like. The proposals presented by the group have now been published as a book in Hebrew (with an English abstract) that is now being translated for publication in English as well. C. Forty Years Since the Six-Day War The year 2007 marks forty years since the Six-Day War and the unification of Jerusalem. The Institute dedicated the year to in-depth analyses of these four decades, running a series of conferences examining different perspectives on the unification. The data and information on the city provided by the Institute have served as a key resource for all the media, and its work has been quoted everywhere from Jerusalem Radio to a series of syndicated articles by the Los Angeles Times. In addition, nine hundred people visited our website daily during the A JIIS map published in the Los Angeles Times week of "Jerusalem Day" in May. The Institute has also been laboring over a special volume on this period in Jerusalem's history: it is due to be published at the end of A collection of 20 articles, written by top experts in a variety of fields, with analyses, forecasts, and conclusions regarding future policy, it will be published in an attractive, richly illustrated format. Another book on Jerusalem, on reviving the city's commercial center, is due to be published at the same time. D. The Arab-Israeli Conflict The Jerusalem Institute has been addressing the issue of Israel's relations with its neighbors in a number of ways, through a number of different projects. Their variety and number reflect the great importance the Institute ascribes to peace as a fundamental concern underlying all aspects of Israeli life and the Institute's work. 7

8 I. Research Projects The Institute's director, Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, worked with a team of Israeli university researchers to produce a book updating the state of Israeli-Palestinian relations since the failed Camp David talks of 2000 and the outbreak of a Second Intifada, which escalated into a severe and violent confrontation. Their work was published as an edited book in English by the publishers Palgrave-Macmillan. Moving forward, the Institute also directed research on the repercussions of the Israeli government's decision to disengage from the Gaza Strip, removing all its civilian settlers and army posts. Regarding the Second War in Lebanon and the subsequent appointment of the government's Winograd Committee to investigate it, a large conference was held and two task committees began work on assessing some of the lessons to be learned from the war's outbreak and management, as well as allegations of its mismanagement. Beyond internal evaluations, the Institute organized under its auspices two groups of researchers and practitioners in matters beyond Israel's control but of great importance to its foreign relations. It assembled a group of experts on the Arab world to assess the significance of the revival of the 2002 peace initiative of the Arab League, sometimes referred to as the Saudi Peace Plan; this resulted in a book on the subject. It also held a major conference on international peacekeeping missions, which brought together military experts and professionals from the military to discuss the contribution of such forces and the possibility of expanding their role in the Arab-Israeli conflict. E. Israel's Coastal Cliffs The Institute formed an inter-disciplinary research team to investigate the erosion of Israel's coastal cliffs, a subject which is slowly finding its way to the top of Israel's environmental concerns. The team includes geologists, engineers, environmentalists, archaeologists, economists, and other relevant experts who have been working first, to assess the extent of the problems posed and second, to propose ways of confronting them. JIIS and Ministry of Environmental Protection's researchers overlooking the coastal cliffs on a study tour 8

9 I. Research Projects Israel has 190 kilometers of coastline, almost a third of which is classified as cliff shore; in some parts the cliffs reach a height of 30 meters. The coastline is now eroding at a pace of approximately 20 centimeters annually, which in some cases is also bringing about the collapse of the adjacent cliffs. The causes of the erosion include some purely natural processes, resulting from the flow of sand and water from the Nile. However, many other factors, such as the rise of the sea level due to global warming, the effects of the Aswan Dam, the construction of various marinas and ports, and the extraction of sand for construction, have exacerbated and accelerated these processes. The erosion affects the 1.7 million Israelis living on the country's coast, a range of archaeological sites from Achziv in the north, through prehistoric Atlit, and down through the national park at Eshkelon, as well as all the activities associated with the coast from shipping to recreation. The Institute's team is working in conjunction with several government agencies to formulate and implement practical solutions for dealing with the problems. The Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry for Environmental Protection initiated the preparation of a policy paper that would present alternatives for dealing with the erosion and Images from a study tour to the coastal cliffs collapse of the cliffs, and to this end four teams are working under the Institute's auspices: a geological-oceanographic team, a coastal engineering team, an economical planning team, and a legal team. The Department of Antiquities, the Planning Division of the Prime Minister's Office and the local councils whose shores are affected are also party In April, findings were presented to the Committee for the Preservation of the Shores and the director of planning in the Ministry of the Interior; in October the Institute presented an extensive and detailed 600-page interim report to the Prime Minister's Office and the other bodies involved in the project. The teams are continuing their work to find alternatives that will mitigate the damage, offer recommendations for implementation, and set criteria and priorities for governmental intervention. 9

10 I. Research Projects F. The Dying Dead Sea One of the Institute's major projects on the environment is on the environmental disaster associated with the shrinking Dead Sea the formation of huge sinkholes that are both a sign of the deterioration in the area and pose a danger in and of themselves. The Institute's team on this subject has been conducting research on the Dead Sea Basin in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, the Geological Institute, and the Department of National Infrastructure. In May the team published its first findings on the subject. According to the findings to date, in the next 20 years the level of the Dead Sea is expected to drop at a rate of 1.2 meters a year and the receding water will create between 120 and 150 new sinkholes. The country will be forced to invest approximately 43 million IS in order to repair the roads, and great damage is expected to tourism, agriculture, and the waters of the sea. Amir Eidelman, head of the Environmental Policy Center, briefing foreign press on a The report recommends testing alternatives to study tour to the Dead Sea correcting the negative balance of the water level (such as the sea-to-sea canal, or the Jordan-Yarmoukh proposal), and to prepare new plans for the future of settlements, infrastructure, and roads. Even if one of the existing options is chosen, it will take at least 20 years before the situation will begin to improve. The research of the Institute's team has already brought about a cabinet decision and the preparation of a regional plan which will facilitate the implementation of informed solutions to the problems. The Institute is also seeking to draw public attention to the matter; the country's awareness and support for environmental matters has developed greatly in recent years. In addition, the Institute's team brought thirty-five representatives of leading international media on a field trip to the Sea, which resulted in world-wide exposure. G. Water Needs in the Middle East A bi-national research group of Israelis and Palestinians has been working on defining and planning for the demand for water in the region. On the basis of different scenarios 10

11 I. Research Projects for trends in the demographic and economic development of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan, the group will be defining the water requirements for these three countries. Headed by Prof. Eran Feitelson of Hebrew University, the group has been preparing data to improve the availability, protection, and distribution of water undoubtedly the most crucial and precious of the earth's resources. The project has been funded by the Peres Center for Peace, the Green Cross, and the French Foreign Ministry and is being jointly executed by participating researchers from the Jerusalem Institute, the Palestinian Hydrology Group, and the University of Al-Quds. In addition to these topics that we have chosen to highlight, some 30 other research projects of different proportions have been underway over the course of Among them are several that belong to a new branch of activity, worthy of note: evaluation projects mainly active evaluation (giving feed-back in real time to enable change and improvement). Most of the projects of this type are Jerusalem-based and evaluate activities aimed at encouraging Arab-Jewish cooperation or the improvement of learning opportunities in poor neighborhoods. It is important to note that one such project, The Evaluation of Cooperation Between Palestinian and Israeli NGOs, was adopted by UNESCO for international distribution in English, Hebrew and Arabic (see page 26). 11

12 II. Public Activities II. Public Activities The conference schedule in 2007 was rich both in content and in participation. Thousands of people participated in dozens of conferences, many conducted in cooperation with other institutions. Most conferences were held to mark the completion of research projects or the publication of new books, and in some cases both. The main conference of the year, dedicated to the memory of Lisa Goldberg, was on Options for Settling the Question of Jerusalem, in the context of the struggle over its sovereignty between Israel and its neighbors. It celebrated the publication by the Institute of a new book on the subject, entitled The Historic Basin of Jerusalem. The book Reuven Merhav and Ruth Lapidoth at the conference in memory of Lisa Goldberg was based on the work of a task force of experts assembled by the institute who isolated five options for the management of the most sensitive area of Jerusalem, at the core of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Led by Professor of Law Ruth Lapidoth, the group met monthly, presented reports and exchanged ideas, and produced a book addressing the many complicated issues involved. At the conference, Ora Ahimeir, Director of the Institute, spoke about the late Lisa Goldberg; Prof. Ruth Lapidoth, former legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Moshe Hirsch both spoke as members of the Institute research team that produced the book. Ambassador Michael Bell of Canada gave a lecture on the work of a Canadian research group, and Palestinian researcher Dr. Nazmi Jube gave a talk on his view of the work done, from a Palestinian perspective. The conference ended with a roundtable discussion with four Lisa Goldberg, members of the Israeli Knesset MK Colette Avital, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, MK Yossi Beilin, Chairman, Meretz-Yachad, MK Israel Hasson, and MK Otniel Schneller on "Jerusalem in the Framework of 12

13 II. Public Activities Peace Initiatives". These representatives of the Knesset, representing the left, right, and center of Israeli politics, all praised the outstanding contribution of the work to future peace negotiations. Students of the U.S. War College, the Japanese Ambassador to Israel, and the Canadian Ambassador to Israel were among the many distinguished participants. The Institute held a special evening event celebrating the publication of a new book, Strategies for Dealing with Poverty in Jerusalem, by Prof. Johnny Gal and Dr. Edith Weiss. Both the authors took part, as did Dr. Momi Dahan, Prof. Avraham Doron, Prof. Yona Rosenfeld, and Dr. Roni Strier all experts in the fields of social policy and poverty. Ora Ahimeir chaired the gathering, which drew a large audience, including representatives and activists from many NGOS that provide services for the poor. Following the book's publication, the authors met with the Welfare and Social Services Department of the Jerusalem Municipality to discuss the research. Subsequently they were also invited to a meeting with the city's Director-General and his staff to review the research project's recommendations, which the municipality is apparently planning, at least in part, to implement. A large conference entitled The Population of Jerusalem Headed Where? addressed the hotly debated issue of a possible demographic shift in the city's population, which by 2035 may lose its Jewish majority. The journalist Nitzan Chen chaired the event, at which Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Sergio DellaPergola, Dr. Yaacov Lupo, and Amnon Ramon took part. The conference was the first in a series tied to the upcoming publication of the book Forty Years of Jerusalem, devoted to an analysis of the city's development since its re-unification in 1967 and including projections for the coming years. Changes in the City Center Transportation as a Catalyst was the title of a conference on the city of Jerusalem and efforts to rejuvenate it. Speakers included Prof. Ilan Solomon of the Hebrew University, Ethan Mayer, Director- General of the Jerusalem Municipality, and Asaf Whitman, CEO of Eden, the company for Visualization of the planned light rail in Jerusalem, from a presentation by architect David Kroyanker held at the JIIS 13

14 II. Public Activities the development of central Jerusalem established by the Jerusalem Development Authority. Community Horticulture in Jerusalem was a conference held in cooperation with the Jerusalem Foundation, the Jerusalem Municipality, The Department of Environmental Protection, Eshel, The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Shomera for A Good Environment and other NGOs. The conference dealt with trends and current topics in gardening, and especially with the issue of shmita, the religious directive that requires that land be left fallow once every seven years in order to allow it to replenish itself. According to religious authorities, the year is a year of shmita, thereby making the subject especially timely. Speakers included Rabbi Tsuriel Wiener, Head of the Raaveh Center for Torah Study, and Israel Galon of the Ministry of Agriculture. A Revolution in Jerusalem Architecture: From the Neo-Eastern Style to the 'Chords' Bridge, was the first in a series of lectures on Jerusalem's architecture by Architect David Kroyanker. Kroyanker, recipient of the Jerusalem Foundation's Prize for his lifelong contribution to Israel's architecture, gave a thought-provoking talk accompanied with stunning illustrations of the topic. The Chords Bridge, now under construction, was designed by Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava and will be the tallest structure in the city. Policy for Encouraging Innovation in Traditional Industries was a joint project of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, The Jerusalem Development Authority, The Jerusalem Branch of the Manufacturers' Association of Israel, and the Prime Minister's Office, and included speakers from each of these bodies. After the project won the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, it was decided that in 2007 it would be adopted and implemented in Jerusalem for the empowerment of the industries and organizations for which it is a home. The goal of the conference was to raise awareness among decision-makers in "traditional" industries to the great importance of innovation in factories, which has been found to be a central force for growth in the western world. The conference was also an opportunity to give exposure to government programs for assisting such 14

15 II. Public Activities factory innovation and renewal. Arnon Karet from the Program for Encouraging Innovation in Traditional Industries in the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor; Shimon Ifrah, senior economic adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor; Nir Ben Aharon, "Nitzotz (Spark)" Program, and Dr. Dan Kaufman, both of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies; Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Head of the National Economic Council, the Prime Minister's Office; Ran Totenauer, Chair of the Jerusalem Branch of the Manufacturers' Association of Israel; and Hagai Shefer, CEO of Chromagen all gave presentations. The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem, , honoring the launch of Hillel Cohen's new book, The Market Square is Empty the Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem, included three speakers who addressed questions associated with the future of Jerusalem's Arabs. Hillel Cohen's book traced the development of East Jerusalem since the Six Day War; Dr. Yitzhak Reiter spoke on Hamas, Hani Issawi on the Palestinian Authority, and Shmuel Berkowitz on legal aspects of the control over the city each offering projections for the future. Substance and Spirit: Issues of Christian Property in Jerusalem, a conference held in conjunction with the Jerusalem Center for Jewish- Christian Relations, dealt with the sensitive and important issue of church properties in Jerusalem. For the churches the subject is of critical importance because a substantial part of their activities are based on income derived from their assets; in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in part a battle over land ownership, the issue of church property has become ever more complicated, with both parties to the conflict interested in intervening. MK Yossi Beilin in a conference at the institute. In the background: an aerial photo of the Christian quarter Speakers included Mr. Daniel Rossing, director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian relations, who outlined the importance of the properties for the churches; Prof. Uri Bialer of the Hebrew University, who spoke about problems that Israel faced at its founding due to conflicts among different 15

16 II. Public Activities claimants to church property; Dr. Michal Oren of the Shechter Institute for Jewish Studies, on Israel's policy towards the properties of the German Lutheran Church as opposed to the Catholic Church; and Amnon Ramon, of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, who spoke about Israel's policy towards Church land and property after the Six-Day War. The audience of approximately 100 included government employees, lawyers, and journalists whose expertise is in these fields. Jerusalem as an Educational Mosaic was a project of the "Pisga" Center for the Development of Teaching Staff, a cooperative effort of the Jerusalem Education Authority and the Ministry of Education. This conference was the first in a series designed to bring together educators from different institutions the School of Education of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem's state, state-religious, and Arab schools, and Jerusalem's Education authority as well as the general public, to present and discuss approaches to different issues arising in the diverse school system and the city at large. A full day's conference, in cooperation with the Adenauer Foundation and the Tami Steinmetz Center of Tel Aviv University, was devoted to the topic The Disengagement A Missed Opportunity or a Historic Turning Point? The conference covered psychological aspects of the disengagement, from the point of view of a caregiver (Dr. Baruch Kahana), the Head of the Institute, Yaacov Bar-Simanorganizational aspects (Prof. Amelia Oliver), Tov, at the Disengagement conference the legal aspects (attorney Talia Sasson), television coverage (Dr. Anat First), and the compensation paid to the evacuees. From different, wider perspectives, the changes in religious Zionism (Anat Roth), the formation of a new center in Israeli politics (Dr. Asher Cohen), public opinion and its effect on the process (Prof. Tamar Herman), and the disengagement as a missed opportunity (Prof. Yaacov Bar- Siman-Tov) were also discussed. The conference also featured the presentation of a study done on the evacuation of the settlers that was later published by the Institute as a book (see "Publications", p.27). Published a year after the implementation of the disengagement plan, the work on the evacuation of Gaza and Northern Samaria examined the 16

17 II. Public Activities government's policy and handling of the evacuation of the settlers. Its findings included conclusions and also criticism of the administration, and both were immediately adopted by the Disengagement Administration in the Prime Minster's office, where its lessons and implications will serve as a guide for the future. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Second War in Lebanon was a conference which dealt with the initiatives of the Israel's Foreign Ministry surrounding the war in Lebanon, up to U.N. decision no Prof. Uri Bialer analyzed the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from a historical perspective, Dr. Alon Liel spoke about the issues of politics versus diplomacy in the management of the foreign service, and Nimrod Barkan, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the U.N. decision, stemming from the war. A conference was held on the interim findings of the Winograd Report, the publication of the committee appointed to investigate the management of the Second Lebanese War. Participating were: Prof. Suzy Navot, on the legal aspects; attorney Moshe Negbi, on the public aspects; Prof. Dan Zakay, on the decision-making process; Dr. Kobi Michael, on military responsibility and civilian supervision; and Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, who both served as chairman and spoke on the implementation of the committee's suggestions as well as the lessons to be learned from them. In memory of Prof. Arie Shachar, a founder and longtime researcher of the Institute, a major conference was held on National, Regional, and Metropolitan Planning in Israel. Faculty from departments of geography, architecture, and urban planning from all over the country took part, as did researchers and planners from government institutions responsible for the nation's planning. Apart from a panel in tribute to Prof. Shachar, talks were devoted to different areas in whose layout Prof. Shahar took part, including metropolitan Tel Aviv and Arie Shachar in a conference at the Institute, a few months before his death Friends, researchers, students and policy makers at the conference in memory of Arie Shachar 17

18 II. Public Activities Jerusalem. One panel assessed the impact of the most up-to-date national planning document, called TMA 35, the master plan for Israel which will determine the trends for development in the country in the coming years. The Arab Peace Initiative and Its Significance: Between Imperilment and Opportunity was devoted to a discussion of the revived Saudi initiative from This peace proposal offered normalization of Arab relations with Israel in return for the latter's withdrawal from territories conquered in the Six-Day War and settlement of the refugee problem. The conference addressed the different aims of the actors in the initiative, the events since its declaration, and the complications inherent in its realization. Speakers presented analyses of these issues, as well as a contextual study of the language of the document by the Arabic expert Prof. Ilai Alon. Work and Dialogue, the title of a conference on Encounters Between Jews and Arabs in Israel, was held in conjunction with the Tsofnat Institute, Shatil, New Horizon, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Participants included: Dr. Yitzhak Reiter and Dr. Halla Aspanioli, "Whose Country Is This? Conclusions from Debates at the Israel Democracy Institute"; Dr. Henriette Dahan-Kalev, Dr. Yishai Almog, and Dr. Ze'ev Dagani, "The Kinneret Accord Attempts at Discussion Among Jews"; Dr. Tabat Abu Raas and Ms. Ayeda Toma-Salmian, "A Vision for the Future of Palestinian Arabs in Israel"; Dr. Batya Roder, Dr. Reuven Gal, and Ms. Shahira Shalabi, "What Can One Learn from Experience?"; with concluding remarks by Dr. Maya Kahanoff, Rachel Liel, Carlos Stiglitz, and Dr. Thabet Abu-Ras. Multi-Culturalism, Education, Human Rights, and What Connects Them was a symposium conducted with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. Dr. Maya Choshen, of the Jerusalem Institute, Ben-Zion Namet, Director of Jerusalem's Education Administration, Iman Jabara, Principal of the Beit Tsafafa Primary School, Rabbi Moshe Grileck, author and editor of an Ultra-Orthodox weekly paper, and Clara Yonah, Academic Director of the Kedma School were among the speakers. The subject was the connection between human rights and education: rights of parents and of different groups, especially minorities, to help determine the content and implementation of educational programs and to offer responses to issues of human rights and the education to awareness of them. 18

19 II. Public Activities Military Transformations and Peace Support Operations: Current Experience, Future Developments, and Possible Implications for the Israeli-Palestinian Theatre of Conflict was a three-day international conference of experts, with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Swiss Center for Conflict Management and Resolution. Most of the discussions were closed to the public, which included representatives from the U.N., NATO, and the European Union who met with foreign and Israeli military experts for discussions of the role of peace-keeping missions world-wide. Among the participants: Colonel Roy Gottheim, Deputy Chief of Staff of U.N. Forces at Armon Hanatsiv (UNTSO) in Jerusalem; Gen. Pietro Pistolese, Head of the European Mission at Rafiah (EU-BAM); Prof. Joseph Soeters, the Netherlands Defense Academy; Dr. Laure Borgomano Loup, NATO Defense College, Rome; Dr. Christoph Grams, Resident Fellow of the German Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. John Colston, Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning, NATO, Kevin Kennedy, U.N. Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and Dr. Sufian Abu Zaida, Director of Al Quds University Programs in Gaza; as well as many other leaders and military experts from Canada, Israel, Europe, and Asia. Dr. Kobi Michael, of the Jerusalem Institute, was the conference's academic director. Jewish and Israeli Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Muslims and Islam was held in cooperation with the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI). Following the publication of Dr. Itzhak Reiter's book "From Jerusalem to Mecca" and in advancing the publication of a new study on the fatwas (Islamic religious rulings) on peace, three Menachem Ben-Sasson lecturing at the Institute Knesset members addressed the issue of attitudes to Moslems and Islam. These were MK Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson, who is an expert on Islamic-Jewish relations; MK Ophir Pines, of the Labor Party and MK Israel Hasson of the Ichud Haleumi Party. 19

20 II. Public Activities Tours of the Separation Fence in Jerusalem, led by Israel Kimhi, were conducted for several groups of visitors from Israel and abroad. Kimhi is a researcher and lecturer on urban planning and the author of a number of publications on the fence and the results of its construction. The Population of Jerusalem Trends and Ways to Strengthen the City entailed a series Israel Kimhi offered explanations on a tour of the separation fence near Maale of briefings and presentation of materials to the Adumim regional committee for building and planning, officials of the Ministry of the Interior and members of the National Planning Committee. The presenters were Yair Assaf- Shapira, Dr. Maya Choshen, and Israel Kimhi, all of the Jerusalem Institute. The Institute's research project on Parks and Metropolitan Recreation Areas was presented at a special meeting, devoted to the subject, of Jerusalem's Regional Board for Planning and Building. Iris Hahn and Menachem Zalutski presented the findings, and the Jerusalem board agreed to implement their work. Work was also presented to a joint meeting of representatives from the city of Raanana and the Sharon's regional council: in a half-day's gathering, the research team presented recommendations now to be used as a basis for planning a recreational area in northern Ra'anana. The planning of metropolitan recreation areas was chosen as the subject for the Bezalel Art School's annual studio project and for the Hebrew University's School of Urban Studies; the Institute's team served as consultants for the planning of the courses and gave presentations of their work to the students. Findings from the research evaluating the project Community Believes in Education It's Best Together were presented to directors and leaders from the Joint Distribution Committee, Eshelim, the Association of Jerusalem Community Councils, and the Jerusalem Foundation. The continuation of the project will involve formulating policy on the basis of the findings presented. Assaf Malchi and Bezalel Cohen met with MK Menachem Ben-Sasson, head of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to present their research on higher education for the Ultra-Orthodox. 20

21 II. Public Activities From the People's Army to an Army of the Peripheries was a conference held in honor of the publication of the book of that name by Yagil Levy. Levy's book refers to the notable change in the demographic composition of Israel's army, renowned for having served in the past as an important social force in the country (as the "People's Army) and led by the nation's elite. Today, according to Levy, the army is more a tool of forces seeking to gain influence, or to pursue military careers, rather than a patriotic calling. Speakers Prof. Eyal Ben-Ari and Dr.Orna Sasson-Levy, both of whom have authored books on Israel's army, as well as Dr. Kobi Michael, debated Levy's claims. Library and seminar room 21

22 III. Publications III. Publications The Jerusalem Institute produced 21 publications in 2007, slightly above the annual average of This is the first year that the number of publications in the category of the environment equaled that on the subject of Jerusalem. The book that received the best reviews was The Marketplace Is Empty The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem, , and the book that received the most public exposure was The Historic Basin of Jerusalem Problems and Possible Solutions. The book most eagerly awaited was The Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, which was not printed in 2006 due to budget problems; it appeared only on the site. The new statistical book is larger, more colorful, and printed in more copies than its predecessors thanks to a grant from the Pratt Foundation, which will enable the Institute to distribute it throughout the Jewish world to institutions, communities, and universities that could benefit from the wealth of information it provides. A. Jerusalem The Security Fence in Jerusalem: Its Impact on the City Residents Edited by Israel Kimhi 174 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English, and in English This is the third publication on the fence produced by the Institute; work on the fence and its effects are continuously being monitored. The Historic Basin of Jerusalem Problems and Possible Solutions Work Group headed by Ruth Lapidoth Edited by Amnon Ramon 312 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English 22

23 III. Publications One of the special features of the book is its presentation of options entailing international involvement (of various degrees) in the management of the historic basin, considered by many to be at the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The research team focuses on five possible solutions and their effects on concerns such as the population, security, municipal matters, education, citizenship, sovereignty, and economics. The Marketplace Is Empty The Rise and Fall of Arab Jerusalem, By Hillel Cohen, in cooperation with Ivrit Publishing 219 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English This study of the Arab population of Jerusalem analyzes how the growth in the Jewish population and the fracturing of the Palestinian population ideologically and otherwise have made life for Jerusalem's Arabs ever more complicated. The book discusses the current political vacuum in the Arab sector that is gradually being filled by radical groups. Community Councils in Jerusalem Recommendations Regarding the Desirable Number and Distribution By Israel Kimhi and Maya Choshen, with maps by Yair Assaf-Shapira 15 pages, in Hebrew Jerusalem's growth has not been evenly spread or balanced throughout the city, and its demographic and geographic changes require that its neighborhood councils be re-organized. The authors offer and explain their proposal to remedy the situation. 23

24 III. Publications The Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem Edited by Maya Choshen 500 pages, in Hebrew and English The Institute has been publishing the statistical yearbook for over twenty years in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality and, beginning this year, with the support of the Pratt Foundation. The yearbook includes data on the city's population, industries, employment, tourism, and a wealth of information useful to researchers, policymakers, and the general public. The volume will be an expanded version shedding light on developments since Jerusalem: Facts and Trends, Edited by Maya Choshen and Michal Korach 70 pages, in Hebrew and English This publication explains statistics on Jerusalem's growth and development, including the composition of its population, its educational institutions, its religious make-up, its health standards and facilities, etc. It also analyzes trends of development over the forty years since the city's re-unification, and displays comparisons between Jerusalem and Israel's other major cities. It is published as an addition to the Statistical Yearbook. Community Strategies for Dealing with Poverty in Jerusalem By Roni Strier 60 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English This publication is a follow-up to the Institute's 2006 book by John Gal and Idit Weiss on poverty in Jerusalem. While not in any way absolving the nation's authorities from responsibility for their citizens, the author proposes practical means for communities to help aid its needy members. 24

25 III. Publications A Master Plan for Cultural Institutions for the Ultra-Orthodox Population in Jerusalem By Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal Korach 100 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English (forthcoming) Since the Ultra-Orthodox community is virtually impenetrable to those not a part of it, little is known to the general public about the life and culture within it. This book, researched and prepared by the Institute, analyzes Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) culture and its institutions and offers practical options for fulfilling the cultural needs of the community. B. The Arab-Israeli Conflict The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict From Conflict Resolution to Conflict Management Edited by Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov published by Palgrave Macmillan in cooperation with the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies 287 pages, in English This collection of recent papers on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict brings studies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict up-to-date with the realities following the failed Camp David Summit of 2000 and the Second Intifada. Israeli and Palestinian public opinion, the media, leadership on both sides of the conflict, and the ensuing disengagement are some of the matters addressed. 25

26 III. Publications The Arab League Initiative A Historic Opportunity? Background, Meanings, and Possible Avenues of Exploration Edited by Kobi Michael With contributions by Ilai Alon, Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Eyal Zisser, Kobi Michael, Elie Podeh, Yohana Tzoref, and Itzhak Reiter 107 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English Analyzing the significance of the Arab League's Peace Initiative, first declared in 2002 and reaffirmed in Riyadh in 2007, this publication weighs its importance from a number of different perspectives, from the Arabic terms it employs to the states and leaders it involves. Disengagement from the Arab Neighborhoods of Jerusalem Introduction by Ora Ahimeir Work of a task force including Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Maya Choshen, Moshe Hirsch, Israel Kimhi, Ruth Lapidoth, Reuven Merhav, Kobi Michael, Gilad Noam, Itzhak Reiter, and Emanuel Sharon 65 pages, in Hebrew, with maps This set of working papers on the possible severing of East Jerusalem from Israel's capital addresses political, legal, sociological, demographic, and other aspects of the possible re-division of Jerusalem in the framework of a peace agreement between Israel and its neighbors. The Evaluation of Cooperation Between Palestinian and Israeli NGOs: An Assessment by Maya Kahanoff, Walid Salem, Rami Nasrallah and Yana Neuman 26

27 III. Publications in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC) Versions in Hebrew and English (with a version in Arabic forthcoming) This study of the work of NGOs working in Israel and the Palestinian Authority is a combined effort of Israeli and Palestinian researchers. It assesses the workings and accomplishments of the peace-seeking organizations as well as their failings, and assesses the challenges they face especially in light of the problems posed by the violent conflict that erupted in the year The Disengagement from the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria: Evacuation, Compensation, and Legitimization by Keren Tamir and Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov 109 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English This publication examines the use of compensation as a means for garnering legitimacy for the government's disengagement from Gaza and Northern Samaria. Perceptions of the law for eviction and compensation, the functioning of the administrative body erected to manage it, and the attitudes of those relocated due to the disengagement are all covered by the work. The State Comptroller's report on the disengagement is also cited. This research was done at the initiative and with the assistance of Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer, who headed the program for financial compensation of victims of 9/11 in the U.S. C. The Environment Publications of the Institute's Environmental Policy Center Patterns in the Utilization of Constructed Land in Israel By Moti Kaplan, Liora Darom, Ran Haklai, Nirit Vitman, Shira Buckwald, Hanita Dean, and Sarit Caspi-Oron (Forthcoming) 27

28 III. Publications The rapid increase in Israel's population and the rise in living standards are two factors that have contributed to the powerful demand for building and development in the country. This publication provides a unified data base for national planning, which until now has been lacking, that draws on past and current statistics and thus facilitates better-informed policymaking in the future. Underground Mining of Aggregates for the Building and Road-Paving Industries By Amir Eidelman, David Slutky, Amos Bein, and Ran Haklai 48 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English This study details the possibilities for underground mining as a possible solution for Israel's need for aggregates and mining alternatives. This, in the context of the country's densely settled population and the desire to save landscapes from the damage resulting from open mining. Wastewater Treatment in Arab Villages By Isam Sabbah and Abdallah Rayan A publication of the Institute's Environmental Policy Center 67 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English This book reviews the state of wastewater treatment in Arab villages today and proposes alternatives for the saving and recycling of water for agricultural and other purposes in the future. 28

29 III. Publications Changing the Deposit Law on Beverage Containers: A National Cost-Benefit Analysis By Doron Lavee 167 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English The legislation enacted in Israel on recycling was certainly an accomplishment for environmentalists, but it has weaknesses that need to be addressed. This research assesses the implementation of the current law and offers means to improve it. The Freedom of Information Law Principles, Trends of Implementation, Legal Decisions, and Environmental Aspects By Liat Golan 50 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English This publication evaluates the way government ministries have responded to the Freedom of Information Act and highlights discrepancies in their interpretation and in court decisions regarding its enforcement. The author proposes steps that would narrow the gap between its aims and implementation. Since its publication, Knesset members have requested hearings be held on effecting the changes proposed. What is Open Rural Landscape? Perceptions of the Rural Expanses in Central Israel By Larissa Fleischman and Eran Feitelson 82 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English Since the 1990s the government has been facing increasing pressure to re-zone agricultural land and to allow for the growing development of rural recreation. This research by geographers elucidates some of the conflicts policymakers face and offers solutions for conflicting demands. 29

30 III. Publications Environmental Mediation by Deborah Shmueli and Sanda Kaufman 38 pages, in English The book addresses the use of conflict management strategies in dealing with environmental problems and their solution, citing examples from Israel and the U.S. Ecological Renewal and Reconstruction of 4 X 4 Routes in a Desert Region By Eran Doron 80 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English The introduction of all terrain vehicles and the now extensive use of 4-wheel drive vehicles have posed a grave challenge to delicate ecological landscapes. This research examines the results of different methods used to restore ecosystems and suggests techniques that have proven useful. Program of Activities, pages, in Hebrew The program includes descriptions of all the projects in progress, listings of the board of directors, the academic committee, the researchers, and the staff of the institute, as well as the books and publications due to be published over the course of the year and a full listing of all the institute's publications, together with their prices. 30

31 IV. Media and the Internet IV. Media and the Internet The Media Between January 1, 2007 and November 2007, the Institute recorded the following media coverage within Israel: Articles in Hebrew newspapers: 139 Hebrew Radio: 48 Hebrew Television: 6 Articles on Hebrew internet sites: 36 Articles in English newspapers: 27 Articles in Arabic newspapers: 34 Articles in Russian newspapers: 9 Articles on English internet sites: 5 Total:

32 IV. Media and the Internet The Institute's Internet Site This year the Institute's internet site was expanded to include more accessible information: for example, statistical data tables now available in popular MS Excel format, more maps, the institute's weekly newspaper columns, and the Institute's journal translated into English. In addition, the site has been upgraded to include new capabilities. It now offers two different feeds, one in Hebrew and one in English, for RSS ("real simple syndication") updating on Institute events, as well as a third feed for Institute news. The site also provides its conference announcements as embedded calendar events, which enable visitors to add event details directly to their own personal MS Outlook or Google calendar. Furthermore, the Institute now has an account on del.icio.us with tagged articles on the issues the Institute regularly addresses, collected regularly from various internet sources and open to the public, under the name of JIIS (Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies). With Israel marking 40 years since the re-unification of Jerusalem and preparing to celebrate 60 years of independence, the Institute's resources have been in particular demand. Over the week of Jerusalem Day, the site received almost double its daily average for visitors approximately 900 a day and over the whole month an average of 700 daily. Although it is not possible to summarize the site's annual statistics due to a mid-year upgrading and changing of the system, the half-year daily average was over 500 visitors a day, with the Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem the most popular part of the site in both Hebrew and English, and the Institute Journal the second most popular English section. 32

33 V. Budget V. Budget The backbone of the Jerusalem Institute's financial support continues to be the Revson Foundation that in 2007 renewed its five year contract ( ). The Revson Foundation's support constituted 42% of the total budget for 2007, which together with the support of other private foundations totaled 73% of the Institute's budget. The support of government agencies for specific projects amounted to 22%, individual donors 0.5%, and income from the sale of publications reached 4.5%. The total number of donors in 2007 was 24, mostly donors continuing and renewing their grants. The total budget for 2007 stood at $1,850,000. JIIS Annual Budget, $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 0 $2,200,000 $1,850,000 $1,700,000 $567,000 $1,500,000 $310,000 $307,000 $237,000 $1,263,000 $1,393,000 $1,540,000 $1,633, overseas support local support The Institute is pleased to have successfully passed an in-depth financial evaluation conducted by accountants appointed by the department of the Ministry of Justice responsible for the registration of NGOs. Each year a number of NGOs are randomly selected for such an investigation, and we were glad to be affirmed as an organization that manages its affairs properly in every respect. 33

34 V. Budget List of supporters: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation The Beracha Foundation The Rhoda and Richard Goldman Foundation The European Union Adv. Kenneth Feinberg, Washington, D.C. The Frankel Foundation The Gaas Foundation The Jerusalem Foundation Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds The Pratt Foundation The Charles H. Revson Foundation UNESCO Adv. Michael Young, New York Other anonymous contributors 34

35 V. Budget Israeli Contributors: The Ministry of Environmental Protection The Ministry of Construction and Housing The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor The Jerusalem Development Authority The Jerusalem Municipality The Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo The National Insurance Institute 35