Asma Agbarieh
Encyclopedia
Asma Agbarieh-Zahalka is an Israeli Arab
journalist
and political activist who heads the Organization for Democratic Action
(Da'am) party. She is the only Israeli Arab woman to head a political party.
family and raised in Jaffa
. In 1995, after completing her undergraduate studies at Tel Aviv University
in Arabic literature
and in education and teaching, she started work as an editor for al-Sabar, the Arabic-language edition of the magazine Etgar (challenge) published by the newly-founded Da'am party. She joined the party and became active in its socio-political activities, focusing on the city’s housing shortage, quality of education, and the status of women
.
In 2000, she founded and directed the East Jerusalem
branch of the Workers’ Advice Center - 'Ma’an', that provides assistance to non-unionized workers and the unemployed. In 2002, she relocated to the Ma'an branch in the Triangle
, where she worked on projects aimed at finding employment for laborers and the unemployed in various fields, and in youth education, as well as a project to help those affected by the Wisconsin Project
.
. On each occasion the party failed to cross the electoral threshold.
In November 2008 she ran for mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and a seat on its city council. The party received 0.45% of the ballots, which fell below the threshold percentage.
Arab citizens of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel refers to citizens of Israel who are not Jewish, and whose cultural and linguistic heritage or ethnic identity is Arab....
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and political activist who heads the Organization for Democratic Action
Organization for Democratic Action
The Organisation for Democratic Action is a political party in Israel, where it is commonly known by the acronym, Da'am .-Name:The party has slightly different names in Arabic and Hebrew...
(Da'am) party. She is the only Israeli Arab woman to head a political party.
Biography
Agbarieh was born to a MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
family and raised in Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
. In 1995, after completing her undergraduate studies at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
in Arabic literature
Arabic literature
Arabic literature is the writing produced, both prose and poetry, by writers in the Arabic language. The Arabic word used for literature is adab which is derived from a meaning of etiquette, and implies politeness, culture and enrichment....
and in education and teaching, she started work as an editor for al-Sabar, the Arabic-language edition of the magazine Etgar (challenge) published by the newly-founded Da'am party. She joined the party and became active in its socio-political activities, focusing on the city’s housing shortage, quality of education, and the status of women
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
.
In 2000, she founded and directed the East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem or Eastern Jerusalem refer to the parts of Jerusalem captured and annexed by Jordan in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and then captured and annexed by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War...
branch of the Workers’ Advice Center - 'Ma’an', that provides assistance to non-unionized workers and the unemployed. In 2002, she relocated to the Ma'an branch in the Triangle
Triangle (Israel)
The Triangle , formerly referred to as the Little Triangle, is a concentration of Israeli Arab towns and villages adjacent to the Green Line, located in the eastern Sharon plain among the Samarian foothills; this area is located within the easternmost boundaries of both the Center District and...
, where she worked on projects aimed at finding employment for laborers and the unemployed in various fields, and in youth education, as well as a project to help those affected by the Wisconsin Project
Workfare
Workfare is an alternative model to conventional social welfare systems. The term was first introduced by civil rights leader James Charles Evers in 1968; however, it was popularized by Richard Nixon in a televised speech August 1969...
.
Political career
She was a candidate for Da'am in the elections for the 2003 elections, and headed its list for the 2006 and 2009 electionsIsraeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
. On each occasion the party failed to cross the electoral threshold.
In November 2008 she ran for mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and a seat on its city council. The party received 0.45% of the ballots, which fell below the threshold percentage.
Personal life
She is married to actor and renovator Musa Zahalka. The couple has an infant son, born in January 2009, to whom they gave the universalistic name "Adam."External links
- Arab leader of workers' party: Israel is no longer state of Jews, but of wealthy Haaretz, 3 February 2009
- An Arab Woman Running for Mayor of Tel 4/4/2008 "Tel Aviv" the weekly supplement of Ydiouot Ahronot. Published in English by http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org Monthly Review.