Rights on Wheels

Summary

Two innovative mobile rights centers will for the first time help some of Israel's most vulnerable people access their rights and benefits. Druze in the north of the country – a unique religious and ethnic minority among Arab citizens of Israel –and Bedouin in the south - traditionally pastoral nomadic Arab tribes living in the Negev region of Israel who follow Islam.  

Challenge

These communities are not aware of the rights and benefits to which they are entitled by law. These range from social security, health, tax benefits and other rights. Part of the problem is related to language – an inability to communicate in Hebrew. The other is lack of physical access to Israeli ministry offices.

Solution

We have been preparing the two mobile rights centers, including hiring a new Director, Adi Epstein for the center in the north. In the future, a Director will be hired for the center in the south. YEDID's Mobile Rights Centers will help to educate clients about their legal rights: and assist people to navigate the bureaucracy of the country in order to secure maximum benefits. By literally coming to them - and offering them access to this information with the help of an Arabic speaker -- we will help them to overcome the bureaucratic, language and distance barriers that previously stood in their way.

 Long-term Impact

 With your help, this year, each mobile unit will help thousands of people in far-flung places all over Israel to access their legal rights, adding vital funds to their household budgets through benefits received, and improving the quality of their lives. The mobile center will serve a broad social and geographical range and will collect valuable information on the needs of these vulnerable populations.