Jerusalem’s municipality, led by Mayor Moshe Lion, will host an international education conference next week on November 9-10 at Binyanei Ha’uma in the capital, with educators, researchers, and public figures from Israel and around the world. But a C14 investigation reveals that participants include Udi Adelman, who signed a letter calling for an end to “the occupation of the ‘Palestinian’ people,” and Dr. Samir Mahamid, mayor of Umm al-Fahm.
3+Adelman, a curator and art researcher who previously served as director of the Digital Art Center in Holon, was among the signatories of a statement by culture and arts figures published during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which sharply criticized Israel’s policies and the public atmosphere during the war. The statement read: “We believe in civil and political equality between the sea and the Jordan River, believe in shared and beautiful lives of Jews and Arabs, Israelis and ‘Palestinians’, believe there is a peaceful solution to this horrific state of war, and kick with contempt at the nationalist and military propaganda flooding the public sphere in Israel these days.” The signatories went on to declare their opposition to the use of weapons by both Israel and Gaza, calling for an end to violence from all sides.
3+But the letter didn’t stop at calling for a ceasefire—it also included a demand to change Israel’s policies: “There is an opposition in Israel. As citizens of the state we declare: The occupation of the ‘Palestinian’ people must stop. Peace talks must begin. The State of Israel must change, urgently!” The signatories also came out against what they defined as “war joy,” “despicable racism,” and an “atmosphere of obedience to the government,” calling on the public to join their struggle. Adelman’s name appears on the original list of signatories to the statement, and he is now expected to participate as one of the speakers at the international conference hosted by the Jerusalem municipality.
The Mayor Whose Municipality Published Condolences for Terrorists’ Families
Alongside Adelman, Dr. Samir Mahamid, mayor of Umm al-Fahm, is also expected to participate in the conference. His name was linked to a public storm following the publication of a condolence notice for the families of terrorists. In March 2022, just days after the deadly terror attack in Hadera in which two Border Police fighters, Shirel Abukarat and Yazen Falah, were murdered, a condolence notice was published on the official page of the Umm al-Fahm municipality for the families of the two terrorists who carried out the attack and identified with the ISIS terror organization.
3+The notice, published in the municipality’s name and bearing Mahamid’s name, sparked widespread public outrage. Following the criticism, Mahamid announced his resignation on live broadcast, but reversed his decision about an hour later. Mahamid claimed the notice was published without his knowledge and by mistake, distanced himself from its content, and condemned the attack. Mahamid has also previously declared his opposition to recruiting young Arabs to the IDF and national service. In an interview with ynet in 2018, he said: “In my opinion, a young man from Umm al-Fahm should not enlist in the army. I’m not going to change my mind.” When asked about national service, he replied that he opposes that as well.
Lion Blesses Conference: “Jerusalem Becoming Global Center for Educational Discourse”
Despite the public background of both participants, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion blessed the conference, which is expected to host thousands of educators and decision-makers from Israel and around the world. “The city of Jerusalem has become in recent years a global center for values-based educational discourse, multicultural and international,” Lion said in remarks published ahead of the event. According to him, “This move is the result of a clear policy that places educational activity at the top of the municipal priority list, and positions Jerusalem not only as Israel’s capital, but also as Israel’s education capital.”
3+Lion emphasized that Jerusalem’s education system is the city’s greatest pride, noting that the human diversity in Jerusalem requires broad and deep educational discourse. “The importance of the International Education Conference, which marks the beginning of a blessed annual tradition, is in its being a platform for open discourse on educational vision and its challenges, in Israel and the world—discourse that connects values, culture, identity, and innovation,” the mayor added.
The conference, which will take place Monday and Tuesday at Binyanei Ha’uma, will address educational innovation, artificial intelligence, multiculturalism, and the future of education systems, among other topics. Adelman’s and Mahamid’s names appear on the official speakers list on the conference website. The Jerusalem municipality said: “The International Education Conference in Jerusalem is designed to advance professional and international discourse on issues of education, society, and the future of the younger generation, and to bring together professionals, academics, and thought leaders from Israel and around the world.
“A person’s participation in a professional conference does not constitute adoption or agreement by the Jerusalem municipality with all of his positions, statements, or views. The list of participants was built on the basis of professional considerations and in accordance with the conference content and objectives.”