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Posted by الرابطة لرعاية شؤون عرب يافا on August 5, 2007
(Jaffa Yafet Street (Al Hilweh Street) 73
P.O. Box 41233
Telephone 00972 36812290
Fax 00972 36827172
e-mail: Alrabita@nutvision.net.il
(Box: League for Jaffa Arab Affairs Jaffa 1979)
Introduction:
The League or the Welfare of Jaffa Palestinians was established as a philanthropic non-profit organization on May 26, 1979. the main purpose of the League is to preserve the Palestinian presence in Jaffa and to protect the rights of the Palestinians in their city as an Arab Palestinian Minority and as an integral part of the Palestinian Arab people in general. The League has an elected executive board of nine members. The nine men and women are elected by the general assembly, which is composed of Jaffa Arabs who believe in and support the principles of the organization and participate in its activities. The general assembly selects a supervisory committee of three members, approves the decisions of the executive committee and selects the members of the subcommittees of the organization. The assembly also confirms the appointment of an auditor for the organization.
Historical Background:
The number of Arabs in Jaffa today reaches about 23,000 inhabitants. Before Jaffa fell in Israeli hands in 1948, the Arab inhabitants of Jaffa counted more than 120,000. most of them were forced to leave their city. Only 3900 Arabs were able to stay in Jaffa. Today Jaffa is one of the six so called Palestinian mixed cities targeted by the Israeli authorities. Jewish new comers live in the homes of the Palestinians who were forced to leave in 1948. all six cities are targeted by the Israeli authorities to turn them into pure Jewish towns, or at least turn their Arab inhabitants into marginal insignificant minorities.
Today the Arabs in Jaffa are not allowed to live except in three quarters, out of the twelve quarters they used to live in until 1948. these three quarters are Al Ajami, wehre the Arabs were not allowed to leave it except with special permission. The other two quarters where Arabs live now are Al Jabaliyyeh, south of Al Ajami, and Al Nuzha, at Jamal Pasha Street. All other quarters are reserved for Jewish immigrants and investors. The old city of Jaffa has no Arab inhabitants at all, but still, Arab presence there is still visible through a number of mosques and churches, in addition to the Arab Saraya theatre, which was established in the old city area.
The Palestinian Arab University in Jaffa is faced with a great number of problems which threaten its very existence, and reflect mainly on housing and education. Foreign investors and measures of the local authorities threaten the presence of Arab Palestinians in Jaffa. Our main target is to preserve the rights of the Arabs in Jaffa as a minority with a special personality, to protect the Palestinian identity of the city, and raise the level of education by improving the conditions of Arab schools, and increasing the number of educated people and academics in Jaffa.
Principles of the League:
Our motto is: ¿We are all brothers, we are all friends¿. The League rejects all forms of religious and sectarian fanaticism. It works independent from all political parties and groups.
Accomplishments of the League:
On the judicial level, the League went to the Higher Court in three cases. The first case was to stop the filling up of the beautiful Jaffa beach with earth. The second case was to prevent the demolishing of Arab houses in Al Ajami and Al Jabaliyyah. We went to the court for the third time to reverse the decision of the Israeli authorities to close the Jaffa Arab School./ the Court decided in our favour in all three cases.
In 1993, with an initiative by the League, the Arabs of Jaffa succeeded in electing a member to the local municipality Council. With this election, we were able to protect our rights and prevent actions planned against the Arab community in Jaffa.
In 1988, our advocates uncovered plans to sell the Jamasin cemetery. The League took the initiative to establish the Islamic Council to prevent such plans and conspiracies, and to protect Islamic rights and establishments in Jaffa.
Projects of the League:
Since its establishment in 1979, the League has initiated and accomplished a number of important projects. The most significant of these projects are:
Rehabilitation of Palestinian homes:
The project was started in 1985 to rehabilitate and renovate Arab homes in Al Ajami and Al Jabaliyyeh. This project was implemented with the support of the Cooperation Corporation to prevent the Israeli authorities from demolishing the old houses I Jaffa and selling the vacant land to Jewish investors. 250 houses were renovated in the framework of this project. Owners of the renovated houses commit themselves not to sell their houses for at least ten years.
Arab family and child project:
With the support of the Jaffa Philanthropic Fund in Kuwait, Jaffa friends in Amman and the Cooperation Corporation, a kindergarten was established for the Arab children between 2 and 4 years old. This is one of the most successful projects initiated by the League. This project preserves the identity of Arab children and gives their mothers to opportunity to work and help face the financial needs of Arab families in Jaffa.
Arab Cultural Centre ¿ Jaffa:
This centre was established in the mid eighties of the last century. To preserve the Arab identity of the Jaffa Arabs, the Centre presents lectures, discussions, book exhibitions, Arab theatre and cultural performances. With the support of the Hani Qaddumi Family, the Centre built a library and a computer room. The Cultural Centre has become on of the main addresses for all Arab visitors to Jaffa. In addition, the Centre offers free legal advice to the Arabs in Jaffa and in Palestine in general.
Jaffa Printing Press:
Before 1948, Jaffa was a centre of press and publications. But since 1948, Jaffa did not posses a single printing press. With the help of Jaffa friends in Amman and the Union of Palestinian Women in Kuwait, the Cooperation Corporation, the League started a modern printing press which offers press services to Arabs in Jaffa and in other Palestinian cities. The income of the printing press helps also to cover the expenses of the League.
Educational and moral support of Jaffa students:
It is an established fact, that 50% of our youth is under 18 years. Accordingly, 50% of our Arab citizens in Jaffa are supposed to be in school. But unfortunately 50% of Arab students in government schools leave school without finishing their education. This is mainly due tot the political and social environment, and to the low standard of education in government schools. The League started an educational program for these drop out students. Unfortunately, this program had to be stopped because of lack of funds.
Maintenance and Renovation of Jaffa mosques:
The League started a program to renovate some of the mosques in Jaffa. The Jaffa friends in Amman helped collect donations to renovate the Jabaliyyeh mosque. The renovations were supervised by the Islamic Council and were accomplished recently. At the present, the League is supporting the Imam of the Grand mosque in Jaffa, sheikh Samih Al Toukhi to renovate the Grand mosque. This mosque was built in 1735 and is considered an important part of our history and heritage. It is located in the old town of Jaffa, next to the Saraya and the old police station in the centre of Jaffa.
The Arab Democratic School of Jaffa:
The establishment of this school came as a response to the Israeli educational system imposed on our young generation. It was established in September 2004, to promote the creativity and democratic values in our children. The curriculum is based on dialogue, democracy, cooperation with the families, Arab heritage and identity.
In addition to the above mentioned activities, the League has published a number of books, magazines and educational publications which cover the different aspects of the Jaffa Arab society.
For 28 years, we have tried to accomplish as much as we could to keep the
bright Arab Palestinian face of our city. We count on the support of our
brothers and friends and the support of our Jaffa citizens in particular, to
keep our efforts going and our hopes alive.
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