Shared Society and Combating Racism
Fostering a Shared Society
NIF works to advance a society in Israel that is truly shared among its residents, one in which every Israeli has an equal stake. We are committed to combating racism and protecting minorities from discrimination.
The deepest rift in Israeli society is between Jewish and Palestinian citizens (sometimes called Israeli Arabs). This is rooted in strong national identities and exacerbated by the greater conflict between Israel and its neighbors, the prolonged occupation, and accelerating ultra-nationalist and racist political trends. In addition, there are troubling disconnects and enmities between Jewish sectors of the public.
But despite the common emphasis on conflict, there are many areas of cooperation -- microcosms throughout Israel that might “scale up” to the national level. There is also growing public awareness of the phenomenon of racism, and new opportunities for shared society-building through networking, community organizing, advocacy and litigation.
Our approach stresses the advantages of social diversity, strengthens moderating voices, and builds places for intercultural encounter that can deepen bonds and prevent escalation.
Palestinian-Israeli Iftar in Sheikh Jarrah
Palestinians and Israelis broke the Ramadan fast together in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood last week.
Supporting Palestinian Women-Led Initiatives in Mixed Cities
Toha Arfat Haddad, a prominent activist in Ramle-Lod, continues to create space and opportunities for Palestinian women in her community and, with the help of Shatil, advance policy change through the NGO she helped create, called Omnia.
Monitoring and Counteracting Incitement
Multiple NIF grantees have been leading the charge to diffuse tensions during Ramadan/Passover by tracking and reporting online incitement to violence.
De-escalating Violence and Investing in Shared Society
In the aftermath of deadly attacks on civilians, NIF grantees quickly mobilized campaigns to support the de-escalation of violence and underline the need for partnership in this dangerous moment.