Haifa 19/09/13 ---- On Friday, September 27th, 2013, the Mossawa Center will host its annual legal conference, entitled "The Legal Status of the Arab Citizens in Israel".The conference, organized by the Mossawa Center in cooperation with the Northern district of the Bar Association, will be attended by legal groups, politicians, ambassadors, academics, lawyers and jurists from all over the country.
The legal conference, which was preceded by several round table discussions on corresponding subjects hosted by the Mossawa Center, will focus on the issue of "The Legal Status of the Arab Minority in Israel as a Jewish State," which will be discussed in the Keynote, �The legal status of the Arab community: in light of the proposed political solutions,� followed by four sub-panels: �Legal & Public instruments in the fight against discrimination and Racism,� �New Legislation on Land Planning and construction - The Negev Case,� What are the political influences on the judicial system?� �The impact of the regional crisis on the shared future vision of the Arab community�
 
Attorney Sameh Iraqi, Mossawa Center legal advisor, comments: �The conference will give voice to the Arab community's perspective on their legal status, particularly in light of the definition of a Jewish state and how it affects negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.�
 
Eyad Snunu, Economist for the Mossawa Center, comments: �The conference will focus on discrimination and particularly the disproportionate budget allocations to the Arab community from the state budget."
 
The 2012 legal status conference hosted over 180 people and resulted in a steering committee which was active in legal and governmental advocacy. The 2013 legal status conference will call on more professionals and activists to become involved in community actions, and the Mossawa Center expects the conference to stimulate and activate the Palestinian Arab community, as well as the larger Israeli society and international community, to take further steps towards the protection of national minority rights in the country.  This conference is open to the general public and all members of civil and political society are encouraged to join us.  In order to participate, please contact the Mossawa Center before September 23rd.