June has been another turbulent month in Israel
Dear Friend,
June has been another turbulent month in Israel, and after the tragic violence in Eli & Jenin yesterday we are reminded once again of the need for a long-lasting agreement that will bring security.
For NIF we have had a flurry of wins that remind us of how effective even our smallest actions can prove.
Eight-year-old Israeli-born Geffen was threatened with deportation by the interior ministry. She is the daughter of a Jewish Israeli father who sadly passed away before her mother could complete the process of receiving legal residency status in Israel.
This is the only home she has ever known, and she has extensive family in Israel.
Over 41,000 people signed a petition to stop her deportation, that was slated for July. This week the Interior Minister Shas MK Moshe Arbel agreed to the re-opening of her case.
Many children in similar situations are faced with the threat of deportation, and this case could prove precedent-setting.
IRAC (the Israel Religious Action Centre) also enjoyed a win with the Gett Taxi company, forcing them to pay a hefty fine of £1.3 million and cancel their ‘Mehadrin’ service that in practice discriminated against Arab drivers. The Mehadrin filter was ostensibly designed to allow customers to exclusively book Shabbat-observant drivers.
The case exemplifies how racism and discrimination in Israel can be subtle and insidious and often evades the public eye. It also demonstrates how our wins are often slow and hard won – the lawsuit was issued three years ago.
Meanwhile, news of the threat to women’s rights in Israel hit the Guardian this week, with this article exposing how the current coalition threatens to expand the power of the rabbinical courts into a raft of civil issues which they haven’t overseen for 15 years.
The article explains how the extension of the power of rabbinical courts further undermines women’s power in their most vulnerable moments: in seeking a divorce, or when looking for protection from domestic abuse.
Our grantees Itach Ma’aki (Women Lawyers for Social Justice) and Kayan both voice their concern.
Finally, an excellent report produced by many of our partners including Yesh Din, Ir Amim, and Breaking the Silence on 56 years of the Occupation makes grim but essential reading.
As we enter a summer of further national protests and a continued full-throttle pushback for democracy, know that your support and engagement for our work and our values gives us the energy to continue.
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NIF Grantee Zazim instrumental in preventing mother & daughter’s deportation An Ethiopian mother and her Israeli-born daughter Geffen have been encouraged to re-apply for permit after a petition by NIF grantee Zazim received 40,000 signatures. |
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Rectifying discrimination against Arab taxi drivers Gett Taxi will eliminate its discriminatory Gett Mehadrin service and will pay $1.6 million (NIS 6 million) compensations to Arab taxi drivers (who were excluded from the service as well) as two NGOs that promote shared living between Jews and Arabs. |
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30,000 people march in Jerusalem Pride This June Israelis will be staging more LGBTQ+ Pride events than ever before. The month began last Thursday with 30,000 people marching through Jerusalem in the annual Pride Parade organised by the NIF-supported Jerusalem Open House. |
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Guardian Report: Israeli women fear loss of legal rights A recent report in The Guardian, quoting several NIF Grantees, highlights the new Israeli government’s attack on women’s rights. |
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Landmark Report: 56 Years of Occupation As the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories passes 56 years since it started, a group of 17 current and former NIF Grantees have compiled a powerful report on the current state of the Occupation, on the dangers ahead. |
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