Human Rights Action update August 9-15

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

RACISM IN ISRAEL
We start with a call to end racism.  The Mayor of Nazareth Illit is running for reelection on a racist anti-Arab platform and is blocking the opening of an Arabic language school in his town, which has a 20% Arab component in its population.
1,900 children in Nazareth Illit cannot study in their native language without being bussed out of town. The civic activism of city residents has already brought the issue to the attention of the Knesset Education Committee. Your letter to Education Minister Shai Piron is the next step. Amplify the voices of these Israeli civic activists. Send it now to support democracy and equality within Israel.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN DANGER
We move on to Latin America. Paramilitary groups in Colombia are threatening to kill human right defenders. A human rights defender in Venezuela is in danger from the indicted killer of his son who have been either released on bail or have escaped from prison. I have provided template latters for both Colombia and Venezuela.  Permission is granted to edit the letters as you wish.
Contact information for the relevant embassies:

Venezuelan Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel Rehov, Shenkar 4, Beit Grap, 3rd. floor Herzliya Pituach 46120 Israel
Telephone	(+972) (9) 957-3363 / 3282 (+972) (9) 957-3286
Telefax	(+972) (9) 958-0292
E-mail	emven@netvision.net.il
Website	www.embvenezuelaisrael.com
Office Hours	09.00-15.00
Head of Mission	Mr Freddy Ivan Morillo, Charg� d'Affaires a.i.

Colombian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel Shekel Building, 8th floor 111 Arlozovov Street Entrance from Tashah Street Tel Aviv 62068 Israel
Telephone	(+972) 3 695 3416 / 3754 (+972) 3 695 3419
Telefax	(+972) 3 695 7847
E-mail	etelaviv@minrelext.gov.co
Website
Office Hours
Head of Mission	Mr Hector Fabio Velasco Chavez, Ambassador