7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media
7amleh Annual Report 2018
2018 brought significant developments to the work of 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media. 7amleh continued to develop our knowledge and evidence base about digital rights issues in Palestine through research, special reports and policy papers. This strengthened 7amleh’s ability to serve as a focal point for digital rights issues on a local, regional and international level and provide expertise to a range of partners and stakeholders. 7amleh also continued to provide and improve our campaigning and digital security trainings that we provide to hundreds of young people, media professionals, human rights activists and organizations. This report highlights some of our key work in the past year which would not have been possible without the engagement and dedication of our national and international supporters. Thank you!
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Training and Capacity Building
Digital Rights & Advocacy
Campaigns
New Class of Digital Campaign Managers Graduate from 7amleh's Campaigning Course
A new group of digital campaign managers from NGOs graduated from 7amleh's campaigning course, which took place over a period of five months and covered a wide range of topics from social marketing principles to building websites, media plans and strategies for organizations.
Hundreds attended the 2018 Palestine Digital Activism Forum hosted by 7amleh in Ramallah. The discussions focused on digital rights and digital activism, covering challenges and trends and the protection of rights in Palestine.
Gender Sensitive Digital Security Training for 1500 Young People
7amleh trained 15 trainers with background in IT and several groups on individual and organizational digital security, auditing and data assessment, and how to combat the phenomenon of gender-based violence (GBV) online.
Survey Conducted about Digital Activism and Palestinian Civil Society Organizations
7amleh conducted a survey on Palestinian civil society organisations’ digital activism in order to develop a deeper understanding of the organizations’ needs and plan ahead for future trainings.
Roundtable Discussion about “Online Harassment and Extortion”
7amleh held a roundtable discussion on online harassment and extortion with a group of activists and members of feminist organisations. The phenomenon requires joint action of feminists and civil society, as well as the preparation of trainings and workshops.
Annual Racism Index Published Showing Increased Israeli Incitement Online
7amleh conducted research to measure the extent of Israeli incitement against Palestinians on social media. Findings showed an increase in Israeli incementment online.
Submission to the UN Human Rights Council: Concerns about the increasing violations to Palestinian digital rights
7amleh submitted a statement presenting its concern about increasing violations to Palestinian digital rights at the UN Human Security Council's 37th session, with attacks on free speech and privacy online increasing by Palestinian and Israeli authorities as well as social media companies.
Training of Trainers about “Digital Security and Online Gender-Based Violence”
Based on 7amleh’s research about gender based violence online, 7amleh developed a training of trainers in gender based violence and digital security. The training focused on the ways that digital security trainers can teach people how to protect their privacy and respond to sexual harassment online.
#Palestine Research Report Published about Mass Surveillance and Censorship of Palestinian Content
7amleh published its annual report on Palestinian digital activism for the third consecutive year. The research provides statistics and information about usage and internet accessibility of Palestinians, dominant social and political campaigns, and human rights and digital rights violations of Palestinians for their digital activism.
Dialogue Session about “Facebook and Palestinian Civil Society Representatives”
7amleh organized a dialogue session between Facebook representatives and Palestinian civil society organizations. The session mainly focused on biased content moderation policies that censor Palestinian content and ignore Israeli incitement on social media.
7amleh, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, organized a Twitter storm “Palestinian_Ya3ni,” in commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba. The twitter storm seeked to create a dialogue on Palestinian identity.
Advocating with Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in Israel to Demand the Immediate Release of the Detained, Peaceful Protesters in Haifa
Palestinian civil society organizations in Israel demand the immediate release of protesters in solidarity with the Gaza’s “Great March of Return” along with an investigation into the use of brutal, excessive force by Israeli police against them.
Cyber Law Watch Paper Published about Amendments to the Palestinian Cybercrime Law
The ratification of Law Number 16 regarding cybercrime was greeted with a strong criticism by civil society organizations, as well as international human rights institutions, due to its wording that makes use of ambiguous articles and vague terms to expand government control.
Workshop about “Digital Security and Online Gender-Based Violence”
7amleh organized a digital security and online gender based violence workshop in Jerusalem at the Schmitt Girls School. The course covered topics such as privacy in the digital world, online gender based violence, and highlighted the necessity of raising awareness among students on these subjects.
Study Day about “Social Media in the Service of Community Change”
7amleh, the social science department at Bethlehem University, and the Civil Peace Service organised a study-day at Bethlehem University on “Social Media in the Service of Community Change,” focusing on the evolution of the internet and digital security.
Lecture Delivered about “Looking ahead and controlling the future through predictive computing”
7amleh and the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center organized a lecture with Dr. Ayad Suleiman, raising awareness on the increasing importance of digitalization in our everyday life, and its limits.
Cyber Law Watch Paper Published about the New Israeli Cyber Laws Paving the Way for Unlawful Hacking and Digital Rights Violations
7amleh warns of threats from the New Israeli Cyber Security and National Cyber Directorate Bill, as the law gives extensive power to Cyber Unit employees to circumvent legal proceedings under the pretext of fighting cybercrime.
Digital Security Workshop in Commemoration of Human Rights Declaration
7amleh organised a digital security workshop in commemoration of 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A group of Palestinian human rights organizations and defenders participated in the event in Ramallah.
First Round of Graduates from 7amleh’s Digital Marketing Training
7amleh concluded the first training course in campaign building and digital marketing for civil society institutions and human rights organisations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Digital Campaigning and Marketing Training Course for NGOs in the West Bank
The digital campaigning and marketing training course for civil society organizations was attended by 20 media and advocacy professionals from various institutions in the West Bank.
Report Published about “Mapping Segregation” Based on Research about Google Maps in Palestine
The report “Mapping Segregation – Google Maps and the Human Rights of Palestinians” reveals how Google Maps’ mapping process in the occupied Palestinian territories serves the interests of the Israeli government.
25 activists, bloggers and content creators took part in the training, which lasted a total of 18 hours and included various topics such as citizen journalism, and video and audio visualization.
7amleh organised a Twitter storm with the hashtag #GoogleMapPalestine to raise awareness about GoogleMap’s discriminatory practices towards Palestine and engage civil society in pressuring Google to abide by human rights.
Unique Web Application Developed for “Plant a Seed in Area C” Campaign
For this campaign we have developed a unique web application that allows you to choose where to plant seeds. We have also developed an infographic, video and texts focused on protecting Palestinian farmers and their land.
Awareness Raised about Against Gender-Based Violence and Harassment on the Internet
7amleh Center in the context of the "Harassment is Harassment" campaign against gender-based violence online stresses the importance of filing a formal complaint if a victim is subjected to harassment through the Internet.
Study Day about Digital Security and Palestinian Youth
7amleh in cooperation with the Arab American University in Jenin organized a study day under the title “Digital Safety and Palestinian Youth” with the participation of dozens of students from all disciplines.
7amleh and 88 other Civil Society Groups Write to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Concerning Discriminatory Content Removal
7amleh, together with 88 civil society organisations, sent a joint letter to Facebook CEO to bring his attention to discriminatory content removal policies that infringe on the Right of Freedom of Expression.
Campaign Launched about “16-Days Against Gender-Based Violence Online”
7amleh took part in the 16-day campaign against gender-based violence online posting on the issue throughout all social media channels.
7amleh and More than 100 Groups Call on G20 Leaders to Place Digital Rights at the Forefront
G20 countries have both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead efforts to reinstate trust in the digital age. G20 countries can set a digital agenda that places people at the center.
New Educational Package Developed about Gender Based Violence Online
7amleh published an educational package on gender based violence online in Arabic) aimed at combating the phenomenon of gender based violence on the internet, a phenomenon that has been increasing rapidly in Palestinian society in recent years.
Research Report Published about “Palestine and PayPal – Towards Economic Equality”
The report analyzes the abstention of the online payment company PayPal and the impact of this stance on the Palestinian economy and presents the potential opportunities for development if PayPal provides its services to Palestinian citizens.
Digital Visualization Training Project in Unrecognized Villages in the Negev
7amleh Center – the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media in cooperation with the Qumra Center in Beer Sheva held a series of training sessions dealing with the digital visualization of unrecognized villages in the Negev in December 2018.
7amleh is a non-profit organization aimed at enabling the Palestinian and Arab civil society to effectively
utilize the tools of digital advocacy through professional capacity building, defending digital rights and
building influential digital media campaigns.
7amleh focuses its projects and initiatives in three key areas:
Training: Working withcivil society organizations, youth, grassroots and activists to strengthen skills
in new media, online campaigns, and improving their digital presence.
Outreach & Advocacy: Participation in forums, production of publications, and joining coalitions for the
protection of digital rights as human rights, including the right to Internet access, digital safety,
freedom of expression and association.
Campaigns: Coordinating and managing advocacy and awareness campaigns, utilizing digital resources, on
various issues related to Palestinian rights.
