In an effort to increase the number of Arab students interning at the Ministry of Justice and encourage Arabs to pursue careers in public service, the Ministry of Justice hosted Arab, Druze and Circassian students to a special informational event on Monday, January 12th at the Tel Aviv Bar Association.
The event featured presentations by Ministry Director General Adv. Emy Palmor, Attorney General Adv. Shai Nitzan and senior ministry staff whose main message was “if you are not part of the game – you cannot win.” Potential interns were warmly invited “to join the family” and urged not to be deterred by barriers such as language fluency, distance from home, or cultural differences.
The conference included a panel of veteran Justice Ministry lawyers, interns and students from a minority background who are already involved with the Ministry, as well as a moving video entitled “Partners on the Path” featuring expert minority lawyers discussing their mostly positive, but also challenging experiences. Arab lawyers already working at the Ministry told students that their Arabic background, language proficiency and understanding of Arabic culture often became a real professional advantage for them.
While Arab citizens of Israel represent 21% of the general population, the rate of Arab professionals currently working in the public sector is a little over 8%. This rate is an increase from 5.9% in 2008, but still falls short of the government’s goal of 10% by 2012 that was set in 2000. Justice Ministry Director General, Amy Palmor, said at the event that to date Arabs compile 9% of their employees and the Ministry is determined to exceed the government’s 10% goal. As of today, every third positon opening in the Ministry is reserved for an Arab employee.
Enhancing Arab employment in public service has been a focus of numerous government programs and resolutions over the years, often led by the Ministry of Justice and the State Civil Service Commissioner.
See the invitation and learn more about the program here (in Hebrew).
Read the Task Force Fact Sheet on Employment, including employment in civil service, here.
Read more in Jerusalem Post, here.