When a "vociferous friend of Israel" encounters a fierce advocate for Israelis with disabilities

Source

We could claim the recent High Holydays season is to blame for the delay. 

But whatever the excuse, we apologize for not being quicker to republish some coverage of the recent very successful speaking tour the Malki Foundation organized in the UK with the dynamic and impressive Karine Elharrar, a member of the Israeli parliament (The Knesset) at its centre. [See "London encounters with the truly remarkable Karine Elharrar", September 4, 2016; and "London: Last chance to hear the inspiring Karine Elharrar MK", September 12, 2016].

Ms Elharrar is an outstanding Israeli advocate for the cause of people with disabilities. The nature of her public interest work fits well with the advocacy and values which we at the Malki Foundation want to encourage.

Here's the text of a report published on the website of the Conservative Friends of Israel (UK), datelined September 16, 2016, under the title "CFI Chairman Sir Eric Pickles Joins Israeli MK Karine Elharrar at Malki Foundation "In Conversation" Event in Parliament":

From Ms Elharrar's Facebook page 

 

This week in Parliament, CFI Chairman Sir Eric Pickles joined Israeli MK Karine Elharrar at an “In Conversation” event hosted by the Malki Foundation. Sir Eric spoke with Karine about Israel’s strong ties with the UK as well as discussing the impact of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The MP for Brentwood and Ongar told Karine that he is “proud to be a vociferous friend of Israel”, describing the country as “a bastion of democracy in a region of instability”. He underlined that anti-Semitism is often disguised as anti-Zionism, and said that while perfectly legitimate to criticise the Jewish State, it is not legitimate to deny Israel’s right to exist. Sir Eric emphasised that this desire to single out and delegitimise Israel lies behind BDS and other boycott movements. Prior to entering the Knesset in 2013 as Israel’s first disabled female MK, Karine headed the Legal Clinic at Bar-Ilan University, specialising in the rights of Holocaust survivors, people with disabilities, and pensioners. Amongst numerous political roles she chairs the Knesset State Control Committee.The Malki Foundation is the sole non-profit organisation in Israel supporting parents in order that they may keep their profoundly disabled child at home – rather than put them in a home – by funding key paramedical therapies and provide free-loan assistive equipment. The charity operates across all ethnic and religious communities.

We expect to soon have some additional media coverage of MK Elharrar's recent Malki Foundation UK speaking tour to share with our readers.

London: Last chance to hear the inspiring Karine Elharrar MK

Karine Elharrar MK, visiting London

In London this afternoon (Monday), the Malki Foundation UK's special guest, Karine Elharrar MK [background here] addressed a packed room of invited guests and interested members of the public in the British parliament.

The Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles MP, Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel, engaged in a public interview with Ms Elharrar, focusing on her work as a legislator in Israel's parliament (the Knesset), as a lawyer and as a noted social activist on a series of important fronts. As a woman who has lived with the challenges of muscular dystrophy since childhood, and whose personal mobility depends on society embracing the need for accessibility, Ms Elharrar has a unique perspective which meshes well with the Malki Foundation's mission: empowering rhe families who care for a child with special needs, and in particular the mobility-challenged.

It is a huge privilege to be able to bring her to British audiences and to expose people to her inspirational message.

Ms Elharrar is going to address a second London forum on Wednesday, mainly comprising lawyers and people working in the law. All available seats for that have been taken up.

For people in and near London wanting to hear this remarkable young woman, Malki Foundation UK will hold a third forum tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 8:15 pm in conjunction with the Mill Hill Synagogue. Places are strictly limited and, owing to security considerations, pre-registration is absolutely required. Go online to www.shul.co.uk/Karine to reserve your place. We're certain you will not be disappointed.

In the British parliament today: Speakers (left to right): MK Karine Elharrar; Malki Foundation UK chairman Geoff Hartnell; Sir Eric Pickles

London encounters with the truly remarkable Karine Elharrar

MK Elharrar and son [Image Source]

Karine Elharrar is a young woman, a wife, a mother, a lawyer, a social activist and, since 2013, a sitting member of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, on the Yesh Atid party list.

Ms Elharrar, fluent in several languages including English and holding a graduate degree from American University's Washington College of Law in Washington DC, was the head for several years of the Clinical Education program of Bar Ilan University's respected Faculty of Law.

Today, she is regarded as one of this country's outstanding legislators on issues relating to children’s rights, equality of opportunity and the social integration of people with disabilities.

We are proud to say Ms Elharrar will be the guest of the Malki Foundation UK during the week of September 12, 2016, taking the central role in a serious of public and private events in Greater London that encompass synagogues and schools, professional firms and associations, and (yes) the British parliament.

Did we mention that this remarkable person was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 9? And that her life, her message and her presence in London are bound to be a source of rare and substantial inspiration?

For details of the still-open events, please contact James Harari at Malki Foundation UK: phone 020-3637-4245. Or email him at james@malkifoundation.org.uk