NIF partners are trying to save lives in Gaza now and build a safer shared future for Arabs and Jews, Israelis and Palestinians.

Our chief executive David recently wrote to supporters highlighting the work of our partners and reflecting on his recent time in Israel seeing the work we have been supporting since the horrific Hamas attacks on 7^th October.

“After almost six months, the grief and pain following the Hamas atrocities of October 7, remains. At the New Israel Fund, we share this grief, and in the midst of it, we continue to support those in Israel striving for justice, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians. It is what all of us – our team, our partners and you, our supporters – can do.”

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Action to seek greater access to life-saving aid and food now:

Gisha – the Centre for the Legal Protection of Freedom of Movement, advocates for the entry of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza such as food, fuel, water and electricity. They provide legal representation for workers from Gaza who were left stranded in Israel on 7 October. Gisha, alongside Molad, ACRI, Adalah and PHRI have secured an emergency hearing from the Supreme Court on a petition demanding the Israeli authorities enable full humanitarian access to Gaza, especially the North; significantly increase the volume of aid; and provide for all the needs of civilians in keeping with international law.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel had a profound impact on my understanding of the dire medical and food situation in Gaza. They actively update the international community about the status of the healthcare system in Gaza and are ready to deliver aid directly to Gazans when able to enter. PHRI also advocates for the hostages, providing a comprehensive list of essential medicines required by these individuals and shared them with hospitals in Gaza.

Our flagship partner ACRI working with other human rights organisations in Israel such as Yesh Din, Ir Amim and Breaking the Silence are demanding the Israeli government uphold international law and responsibilities to civilians in Gaza. “We call on the international community to use its collective influence to promote and support an immediate ceasefire and implementation of provisional measures, and to increase its efforts to ensure that the Israeli hostages are returned from Gaza.”

The need for urgent action now extends to the West Bank where settler violence forcing Palestinian communities from their homes is at unprecedented levels.

Shatil’s is continuing the “Tent Camp Coalition” and the Anti-Occupation Bloc, as well as its ongoing organising of anti-war demonstrations for Israelis. Shatil is also expanding its programme (launched last year) to assist Israeli activists working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. These brave Israelis face increasing violence, as they try to stop or minimise the destruction or evacuation of Palestinian villages.

The programme offers comprehensive support including networking, training, mental health services, and legal aid. As part of ensuring the crimes of violent extremists are exposed, activists have been supported with access to and training on an app that uploads mobile videos to a cloud before the army or police confiscate activists’ phones or destroy their evidence.

Working towards a safer and shared future

NIF is funding strategic collaborative work, such as with Mitvim and the Berl Katznelson Foundation who have developed the Israeli Initiative –the first political alternative to the government’s policy since 7 October. The Israeli Initiative presents a gradual, practical road map to achieve security by creating a regional-Israeli-Palestinian political arrangement and aims to bring long-lasting security to Israel. There are four anchors to the plan: Political Horizon, Palestinian statehood, freezing Settlements and annexation, and an alliance of Moderates.

They have already been briefing MKs in the Knesset and this policy paper was sent out in Hebrew with one of Israel’s leading newspapers. You can read more about the Israeli Initiative in Hebrew here and in English here.

Research, advocacy and education complement these policies to show and grow support for security, dignity and freedom for both peoples.

aChord who are conducting a range of research and polling recently highlighted that the majority of Israelis support diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict, including thinking that Israel should agree to a political-security arrangement with the support of the USA including the establishment of a Palestinian state in exchange for Arab countries’ recognition of and normalisation with the State of Israel.

Standing Together, alongside being the largest grassroots movement of Jews and Palestinians, has responded with a “You shall not starve” campaign, including convoys seeking to deliver aid directly or to the agencies awaiting entry. They continue to make clear that millions of Jews and millions of Palestinians are not going anywhere, and we will need to find a way to share this land.

FORTH – The Forum for Regional Thinking delivers education in schools and Mechinot (pre-army gap programmes) about the history of the region, the conflict and Palestinian history and culture. They counter-narratives of the religious right and create a culture of empathy. By advancing an in-depth and nuanced understanding of Israel-Palestine, they endorse a civil rather than militaristic narrative which will lead to improved relations between Israel and its neighbours. They remain endorsed by the Ministry of Education to run these extracurricular programmes and have seen a huge increase in interest in their work from schools, teachers, parents and pupils.

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