Speakers
Fellowship

Basel Murad is a lawyer specializing in data protection, privacy law, and technology-focused legal work. With hands-on experience advising startups, handling complex commercial agreements, and working across various stages of early-stage ventures, Basel bridges the legal and innovation worlds. He is certified as a CIPP/E and has advised founders and organizations on privacy compliance, AI ethics, and strategic legal structuring. In 2024, he completed the prestigious MITx Accelerator in Boston, further sharpening his expertise in entrepreneurship and global innovation systems.

Basel is also the co-founder and Co-CEO of Harmony, a growing professional community of over 1,000 members from across the Arab sector and broader MENA region. The organization builds platforms for structured networking, career development, and strategic collaborations, working closely with major institutions such as the U.S. Embassy, Meitar Law Firm, IBI Investment House, and more. Under his leadership, Harmony launched initiatives like the Harmony Network (an AI-driven networking platform) and the region’s first bilingual Networking Guidelines in Arabic and Hebrew.

Beyond his legal and community leadership, Basel founded an AI School for Lawyers in collaboration with the Israeli Bar Association, delivering training on prompt engineering and legal applications of generative AI. He is passionate about making innovation accessible to legal professionals, advancing ethical AI use, and building bridges between communities.

Eid Adawi is an R&D Project Manager at Johnson & Johnson MedTech with over 14 years of experience in medical device innovation. He leads global cross-functional teams to deliver advanced electrophysiology platforms and has contributed to breakthrough technologies. Eid holds an MBA from Tel Aviv University and IMD, and an M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from Tel Aviv University. He is credited as a key inventor on 50+ patents and multiple scientific publications. Passionate about leadership and diversity, Eid mentors emerging professionals and drives DEI initiatives within the MedTech sector. Outside of work, he enjoys playing keyboard and oud and breeding Arabian horses.

Einav Halabi is a journalist and multilingual media professional with more than a decade of experience covering Middle Eastern affairs for leading international and Israeli news outlets. She has built a distinguished career as a correspondent, producer, and documentary director known for navigating complex political, social, and cultural landscapes. Einav has worked with major networks and news outlets including Jerusalem Local News (JLN), i24news, France24/Canal+, Alhurra MBN, and The Asahi Shimbun. She also served as spokesperson for Israel’s Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (2020–2021).

Today, Einav works as the Palestinian affairs correspondent for Yediot Ahronot and Ynet, where she also covers the Druze community in Israel and abroad. Einav is also a member of a foreign office representing the Druze community in Syria and advocating for Druze autonomy in Syria. She holds an M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Haifa and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel.

Haya Hussein is an International Relations MA graduate from Majd al-Kurum in the Galilee. She holds a master’s degree from a joint program between the University of Haifa and the University of Warsaw, where she explored questions of identity, politics, and conflict resolution. Her academic and personal journey have shaped her understanding of the complexities of belonging and dialogue.
Haya’s experience includes work in international relations, communication, and community engagement. She has also taken on management and coordination roles that strengthened her skills in organization, relationship-building, and problem-solving.
Haya is an active boxer and a certified boxing instructor. She trains children and uses sports to challenge gender stereotypes, promote confidence, and create inclusive spaces. Through boxing, she emphasizes discipline, communication, and mutual respect—encouraging young girls to recognize their own strength.
Haya is passionate about identity, dialogue, and representation, and aims to use her voice to build understanding and foster empathy across diverse perspectives.

Lama Yassin is a public policy professional working across the public sector and civil society to build safer, more equitable, and genuinely shared communities. She serves as Director of the Shared Cities and Shared Regions Program and Director of the Safe Communities Program at The Abraham Initiatives, where she leads national and municipal policy efforts on shared society, local governance, and reducing violence in the Arab community through data driven planning and cross sector collaboration. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Haifa and is a graduate of the Rothschild Cadets Program for Local Government Leadership. With over a decade of experience in the public sector, consulting, and civil society, Lama believes that safety, equality, and shared society are built through informed policymaking, strong local leadership, and cooperation across communities.
Outside of policy work, Lama is driven by curiosity and unexpected passions. Although she did not grow up around animals, she is now an animal welfare activist, a devoted cat lover, and a volunteer with SOS Animal Rescue. She loves languages, studied linguistics, and is especially passionate about Semitic languages. Speaking both Arabic and Hebrew makes her feel deeply rooted in this region of ancient cultures and civilizations. She loves poetry, asks a lot of questions, and still does not know how to ride a bike.

Mohamed Arar is an EdTech entrepreneur and educator with over six years of experience developing and managing innovative products in the education technology sector. He has founded two startups, including one that launched an app surpassing 100,000 downloads worldwide. His first venture was the first Israeli Arab startup to be accepted into Techstars, one of the world’s leading programs for seed-stage companies.
He currently leads a startup used by more than 30 schools across Israel and recognized through multiple tenders awarded by the Israeli Ministry of Education. Arar teaches and trains educators and students in AI literacy and practical AI skills. He serves as a lecturer at Kiryat Ono College and as a teaching assistant at Ben-Gurion University.
Mohamed holds a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Tel Aviv University and is a Global UGRAD alumnus of Wayne State University in Michigan. He is also a recipient of the MIT and OGS Fellowship. He holds an MBA in Innovation and Technology from Ben-Gurion University, where his thesis focused on consumer behavior using VR and AI.
Born and raised in Jaljulia, a small village in central Israel, Arar is passionate about travel, having visited over 21 countries and more than 18 U.S. states.

Narjes Abu Frieha is the Director of Resource Development at Project Wadi Attir, where she leads strategic partnerships and fundraising efforts to advance innovative models for sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and social mobility in the Negev. A resident of Tel Sheva, Narjes holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Open University and a master’s degree in International Business and Management from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

With over 17 years of experience in the third sector and civil society, Narjes has dedicated her career to fostering economic and professional opportunities for Arab-Bedouin youth and women. Her work has focused on bridging educational and employment gaps through initiatives that promote excellence, workforce integration, and leadership development. Passionate about social innovation and equity, Narjes continues to advance projects that empower and strengthen the Arab-Bedouin society in Israel.

Niveen is Content Developer at AJEEC, specializing in creating meaningful encounters between Arab and Jewish communities. She previously worked as a facilitator at Beit HaGefen and as the director of a center promoting youth volunteerism. Through her career, Niveen is immersed in the world of dialogue and group processes— witnessing and creating moments of deep, complex, and courageous conversation. Beyond her professional work, Niveen is passionate about creative expression. She is drawn to art in many forms—embroidery, painting, and anything that lets her give shape to the inner world. She is also a runner and training to run her first marathon.
Niveen received her BA in Counseling and Human Development and English Language and Literature and an MA in Organizational Consulting from Haifa University. She now lives in Haifa but her roots are firmly planted in Beit Jann.

Rabea Shamaly is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Nafas, a growing mental-health ecosystem aimed at reducing stigma and making emotional support more accessible in Arab communities. His work bridges technology and human connection, with the aim of reshaping how mental health is understood and approached in the region.

Rabea graduated with honors in data science from the Technion and previously worked as an AI engineer. Despite coming from a tech background, his passion for human connection and communication led him to establish the first Toastmasters club for Arab students and later join peace-building initiatives such as Tech2Peace and COME. International experiences in the U.S., Denmark, and India further shaped his understanding of identity, dialogue, and emotional wellbeing, ultimately guiding him toward the work he does today.

Nowadays, he lives in Haifa, where slow Sunday mornings often start with a run by the sea and evenings end with friends and homemade kunafeh, which he claims is the best in town.

Camellia joined the Task Force as Israel Representative. She previously served as the institutional Diversity Officer at the Equity, Diversity and Community Commission, Office of the Vice President, Tel Aviv University. In this capacity, she worked on designing and implementing policies to promote equity, diversity and partnership in the academic institution. In addition to directing the “Faculty Diversity Forum” and accompanying academic units, she was also responsible for the “Shared Space” Project on campus, aiming to increase a sense of belonging among diverse groups.

She has years of experience promoting diversity and multiculturalism within Israeli society, as well as extensive academic knowledge in this field with an emphasis on ethnic groups. Camellia worked for three years as Prof. Amal Jamal’s research assistant in the Faculty of Social Sciences, the School of Political Science, government and International Affairs, focusing on culture and minority groups. She was the administrative director of the Walter Lebach Institute for the Study of Arab-Jewish Relations at Tel Aviv University. She previously worked as a career coordinator for the Palestinian Arab students at the Career Development Center, Dean of Students Office. Camellia has a master’s degree in literature and American studies from Tel Aviv University.

Fadi is a curator, strategic consultant, and social entrepreneur dedicated to art’s role in fostering social change. As a curator, he organizes exhibitions that address pressing societal issues, creating meaningful dialogue and engagement. His projects emphasize art’s ability to connect communities and inspire reflection on identity, belonging, and narrative, promoting visibility for marginalized communities.

Fadi works with museums, including the Tel Aviv Museum and Umm El-Fahem Museum, as a cultural strategy expert to develop strategies that enhance accessibility and relevance, ensuring that exhibitions and programs reach and are suitable for the Arab community. He also supports institutions in building community engagement initiatives and educational outreach programs.

Previously, Fadi was a Strategy Consultant at TASC Consulting and Capital, where he played a key role in implementing Government Resolution 550 (GR-550), the Ministry for Social Equality’s 30 billion NIS plan for Arab society’s socioeconomic development. He worked with ministries and local authorities to address structural barriers. Fadi holds a B.Sc. in Neuroscience, Linguistics and Biology from Tel Aviv University, where he also coordinated Arab student affairs at the Student Union, supporting a community of 3,000 students. His passion for art and its social impact later led him to pursue a PGCert in Curatorial Studies at Shenkar College.

Basel is a Senior Editor and Writer for TV journalism programs at the Public Broadcasting Corporation. His career includes a notable stint as Chief of Staff, Spokesperson, and Adviser to MK Dr. Yousef Jabareen in the Knesset from 2017-2021.

As an undergraduate student at Haifa University, Basel was elected Chairman of a student movement. In this role, he led several campaigns advocating for the rights of Arab students. Among his significant contributions was his leadership during the “Coalition of Direct Employment” campaign, which successfully transitioned the university’s janitorial staff to direct employment in May 2018. Basel holds a BA in Political Science & Sociology from Haifa University and an MA in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University. Basel lives in Majd Al-Kurum village, an Arab Village in the Galilee.

Hasan is a trainer at Hattrick, a training center which provides mental training for athletes and a Top Speakers course to develop storytelling, confidence, public speaking, communication skills and more to participants from Arab Society. As a mental performance coach for athletes, he lectures at a certifying mental performance course for Arab society, and train athletes on the mental aspects to improve performance. Hasan also works as an educational program partner, guest speaker, and guide at Beit HaGefen, a Jewish-Arab multicultural center in Haifa. Hasan guides, mentors, and runs workshops for teenagers, educators, and other visitors on shared society, art, and Haifa.

Hasan is also the host of The Youth Parliament, a TV show dedicated to exploring issues and topics relevant to Arab youth. In December 2025, he made his comedy debut with “Almost Human,” a show tackling the realities of life as an Arab citizen of Israel.

Previously, Hasan worked as a financial data analyst at Thomson Reuters and has 12 years of experience in the financial world. Hasan graduated from Haifa University with a B.A. in psychology and statistics. He holds an M.A. in educational leadership from UCLAN University in Cyprus and an M.A. in Blockchain and Digital currencies from University of Nicosia. Hasan was born and raised in Nahef village in the northern Galilee. For the last 4 years he has been married to Rana, a father of Loure, and living in Haifa.

Khitam is a member of the team establishing Ma’oz Darom South. She’s responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives aimed at fostering regional development in the Negev. Her role includes collaborating with local leaders, identifying key opportunities for growth, and driving projects that empower communities and promote sustainable development in the region.

She is the former Director of the Raidat Leadership Program for Women at Desert Stars, a nonprofit organization for Bedouin leadership. Over the last decade, Khitam has held various positions in the informal education field. Khitam’s work included promoting youth leadership in Negev Bedouin society; directing the Youth and Young Adult Department at the Rahat Community Center; and developing and running leadership and social action programs for youth in Rahat. She founded and directed the Arab sector activities of Krembo Wings, a youth movement for children and youth with and without disabilities.

Khitam holds a B.A. in Humanities and Social Sciences from Sapir Academic College and is a graduate of the Mandel Institute leadership program. She lives in the town of Lakiya in Southern Israel.

Saja Kabaha is a program manager and Arab tech sector lead at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv. In her role, she focuses on fostering collaboration and promoting innovation, while amplifying the Arab tech sector’s influence on a global stage. Saja is passionate about championing diverse talent in the Israeli tech scene and is committed to creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Saja’s journey in the tech world began with her tenure at Intel. As Chief of Staff under the CEO of the Jerusalem campus, she spearheaded numerous campus-wide projects and managed diversity and inclusion efforts. Prior to this role, Saja managed Intel’s external and community outreach programs, where she supported the company’s CSR efforts and built strong connections with the community. Her contributions to Intel were recognized in 2021 when she was awarded the Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact Award, celebrating her impact on the company.

Beyond her professional achievements, Saja is deeply committed to economic prosperity and tech diversity through her volunteer roles. She has led initiatives for the World Economic Forum in Jerusalem, contributing to the city’s development and the tech ecosystem. Additionally, Saja is the founder and host of Seeratech, the first-of-its-kind Arab-speaking, women-led podcast tailored for Arabs interested in the hi-tech and innovation industry. Through Seeratech, she provides a platform for discussing important issues and sharing inspiring stories from the Arab tech community.

Saja earned her BA from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and lives in Barta’a, a small village in the Triangle area where she grew up. She is also a devoted cat person, sharing her home with her two beloved cats.

Nour joined the Task Force as Program Associate in 2023. She comes from the social entrepreneurship eco-system where she founded and managed two education-related ventures, Al Hakavati and Baladi. Al Hakavati is a social venture focused on reviving Arab storytelling culture by empowering community members to tell their unique stories stemming from the Arab folklore and culture. Baladi is a social venture leveraging street stunts to promote youth at risk. Born in Jaffa, Nour completed her education at the Academic College of Tel Aviv–Yaffo, and holds a B.A. in Government and Society and an M.A. Family Studies.