08.03.2018
HaMoked is proud to congratulate Dalia Kerstein on receiving the 2017 Emil Grunzweig Human Rights Award for Lifetime Achievement
As the Prize Committee wrote: "Dalia Kerstein served as HaMoked’s Executive Director for 26 years. During this time, HaMoked assisted tens of thousands of Palestinians to address violations of their human rights by Israeli authorities and the hostility of the bureaucracy of occupation. As Executive Director of HaMoked, Dalia shaped the organization's path with modesty, persistence and great success, turning it from a small organization to one of the most significant organizations in Israel addressing human rights in the Occupied Territories".
Under Dalia's tenure, HaMoked succeeded in obtaining respect for the basic rights of tens of thousands of Palestinians – rights to family life, freedom of movement, compensations for victims of violence and more. Alongside the individual assistance, Dalia led the organization to significant achievements regarding broader principle and policy, including obligating the military to provide notification of a person's arrest and their place of detention; exposure of secret prison Facility 1391 and the end of its use; and a long list of improvements in the application of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law to enable Palestinians to live with their families in East Jerusalem.
As Executive Director, Dalia was involved in all facets of the organization’s work, setting standards of excellence and establishing an organizational culture characterized by rapid response to changes on the ground, meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising perseverance even in seemingly hopeless cases. All these have become the hallmarks of HaMoked’s work to this day.
In the words of the Award Committee: "Upon Dalia Kerstein’s retirement, the Emil Grunzweig Award Committee has decided to award her the lifetime achievement award for her extraordinary contribution to the defense of human rights of the Palestinians in the OPT and the promotion of human rights in Israel. Dalia’s perseverance in continuing the fight while facing a frustrating and dismal reality played a decisive role in HaMoked’s many successes."
