OPENING LEGAL DOORS

TO ARAB STUDENTS

By Galit Lev-Harir

The first time Ahmed Amara applied to TAU's Buchmann Faculty of Law, he was rejected because his English was not good enough. "At the time, I was very dejected," recalled Ahmed, age 20, who spent a year improving his English before re-applying. "Now I'm euphoric!"

Not only has Ahmed been accepted to the Faculty, he has also been awarded one of five Price Scholarships for Israeli and Druze Students. The largest monetary gifts ever awarded to first-year students through the University, the scholarships will provide complete financial assistance for the three and a half years it will take the five recipients to earn their law degrees.

Mr. Benno Gitter, Chairman of TAU's Board of Governors, presented the scholarships to the students on behalf of Mr. Sol Price, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Explained Mr. Gitter, "Mr. Price has a sincere interest in promoting equality between Jewish and Arab Israelis and in encouraging Arab and Druze students to study in the Law Faculty."

Ahmed agreed that the scholarships will indeed serve this purpose. An earnest, engaging young man, Ahmed said that "the Price scholarships address the financial disparity which exists between most Jews and most Arabs in Israel; moreover, the fact that the scholarships were given by a Jewish donor shows goodwill and helps to improve relations between Arabs and Jews."

Law Faculty Dean Prof. Eli Lederman discussed recent Faculty efforts to increase the number of Arab and Druze Law students - as well as students from other underprivileged sectors of society - and emphasized the importance of the Price Scholarships in achieving this goal.

"Having students from underprivileged backgrounds in the Law Faculty benefits the Faculty and Israel in several ways," declared Prof. Lederman.

"Firstly, it produces a heterogeneous student body which enriches academic dialogue in the classroom and promotes an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. Secondly, it develops graduates who can provide quality legal services - and serve as potential leaders - in their own communities."

Today, Arab students constitute only 5.3% of Israel's 4,155 undergraduate university law students. Druze students are only 0.5% of the total.

Financial relief

Because Arabs and Druze comprise over 50% of those Israelis who live below the poverty line, the high cost of tuition deters many of them from attending university.

Before applying to TAU, Price scholarship recipient Rasheed Bydousi, age 19, spent several months working and saving his money. Rasheed's father, a retired construction laborer with six children, was unable to pay for Rasheed's studies.

"I had planned on combining university studies and work," acknowledged Rasheed, who hopes to someday continue for a master's or doctorate. "But I knew that it would affect my grades."

Ahmed was also worried about how he would pay for his studies. Both of his parents are unemployed and his father recently underwent an operation. "The Price Scholarship will enable me to concentrate more on my coursework, and I'll have a better chance of earning high grades," he said.

Grateful students

Scholarship recipient Shirin Batashon, age 19, always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Her parents, high school graduates, constantly supported and encouraged their children to excel in their studies. Today, Shirin is the fourth in her family to attend university. Her brother is currently pursuing a master's degree in economics, and her sister, also at TAU, is studying English.

Shirin explicitly thanked TAU and the Law Faculty administration for going out of their way to help her apply for the scholarship. "By their actions, the University administration showed that they really care about us."

All of the students expressed their amazement upon learning that they had received such a generous gift. "My friend initially opened the congratulatory letter and informed me that I had received the scholarship," recollected Ahmed. "When he told me I had received such a substantial award, I thought it just couldn't be true.

"I wish there was some sort of way I could sufficiently thank the Price family," he continued, "Words just can't express my gratitude."

From left: Shirin, Hanah, Benno Gitter, Ahmed, Prof. Lederman, Hatem, Rasheed and Associate Dean of Law Prof. Meni Mautner