Palestinian Women and Politics in Israel

Appendix A

Appendix A Interview Schedule with Palestinian Women Politicians Section A—Background A1. General information: your education, age, marital status, location, work place, party affiliation, religion, publications, and any other activities or organizations with which you are affiliated Section B—Childhood B1. Did you come from a political household? How would you describe the atmosphere at home? Describe your relationships with your parents and other family members. B2. What was the main source of your political knowledge and awareness ? B3. How would you describe yourself as a child? Section C—School C1. What were the main incidents during your time at school that affected your political involvement? C2. How did your family react to your early involvement in politics? C3. What was the reaction in your home to women’s education and to your intention to attend a university? C4. How would you describe yourself as an adult? Section D—University D1. What was your major? Why did you choose it? What university or college did you attend and why? 214 Appendixes D2. How did your political involvement in your university start? D3. How would you describe the atmosphere in your university regarding : 1. Your relationships with male colleagues? 2. Jewish students? 3. The university administration? 4. The party you were affiliated with? D4. What was your main area of concern while you were attending the university? Section E—Relationships with Your Husband and Family E1. When did you get married, and how did your husband react to your political involvement? E2. Was your husband politically active? How did he react to your decision to compete for a position in the local council or the Knesset? How did he react to your success? E3. How did you balance, if you did, your home responsibilities and your political ambitions? E4. How has your marital status affected your political career? Section F—National and Feminist Awareness F1. What did you do after graduation? F2. How did your feminist awareness develop? F3. What in your early career pushed you to either pursue your political aspirations or abandon them? F4. Do you see yourself as a feminist? What does that mean to you? F5. How did your work with feminist groups, social movements, or other informal activities affect your political career? Can this time of work be as effective as formal politics? F6. How do you think feminism and nationalism are related to your identity and your political career? 215 Appendixes Section G—Inside the Party G1. How and when did you decide to join a political party? What were the reasons for your decision? G2. How were you treated by other party members? G3. What were your goals in choosing to affiliate yourself with this party? G4. When did you decide to compete for your political position? Describe your experience. Did you have to try repeatedly for the job? G5. What is your main area of concern within your party? G6. Describe your relationships with Palestinian and Jewish women affiliated with other parties. G7. What do you think about the fact that only Zionist parties have promoted the participation of Palestinian women in the Knesset? G8. Do you support the quota system? Section H—Obstacles and Challenges H1. What were the main obstacles you faced during your political career ? H2. What are the main challenges and obstacles facing Palestinian women running for elected political positions in Israel? I—Media I1. How have you been portrayed in both the Arabic and Hebrew media ? I2. What aspects of the media have you found supportive? What about the media has been particularly harmful or negative for you? K—General Comments K1. How do you see yourself a few years from now? K2. Are you satisfied with what you have achieved? K3. What, in your opinion, should be done to increase the involvement of Palestinian women in politics? 216 Appendixes K4. What influence have political parties, the Israeli state, and Arab society had on the political advancement of Palestinian women? K5. Is there anything you want to add? Please remember that, when transcribing the interview, I might need to contact you for further information or clarifications. Thank you. Interviewees Unless otherwise indicated, all data and quotes in this book come from interviews I held with the women activists between 1999 and 2006. Following are the women’s names and political affiliations: Women in the local councils Interviews with Lulu Masalha, Mariam ῾Awwad, Rabab Abu Lashin, and...