For our crisis appeal responding to the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, click here.
NIF’s emergency response is building a powerful shield to defend and empower Israeli democracy and civil society.
For those of us who care passionately about Israel, the unfolding situation is alarming. Extremist politicians are trying to fundamentally change the democratic nature of the country, attempting to undermine the judiciary, limit religious freedom, sideline women and diminish the rights of Palestinian citizens. We cannot stay silent.
A better Israel is possible.
NIF’s emergency response combines both immediate and long-term work. We are:
- Dramatically increasing our Emergency Grants
- Creating a “Hub” that will support and defend frontline activists and organisations
- Strengthen the infrastructure necessary to defend democracy and advance equality and justice in Israel
Today, activists, leaders and everyday Israelis distressed about the trajectory of their country look to NIF for our leadership. With over 40 years working in Israel to strengthen civil society, democracy and human rights, the New Israel Fund is uniquely positioned to lead the resistance to impending challenges.
We need your help. You can support this work today by donating or sharing.
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1) Growing our emergency grants
Emergency grants are flexible, experimental and quick; they can help organisations and activists respond to critical developments in as little as 24 hours. Since the new government came to power, we have distributed over £475,000 to 30 organisations.
This included a grant of £16,000 to Omdim Beyachad-Neqaf Ma’an and other civil society groups to fund the first of what have now become weekly mass protests in Israel, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis coming together in support of Israeli democracy.
We’ve provided funding to ensure that racism and segregation have no place in Israeli state education, through the establishment of a ‘State Education Guard’ by the Berl Katznelson Center, supporting hundreds of parents and educators.
And funded the legal support needed stand up against incidents of settler violence and other tools used to intimidate the Palestinian community.
2) Launching the Hub
Under this current government, there are growing attempts to attack and threaten the ability of civil society organisations to operate. This includes legislation that is aimed at crippling organisations finances, personal threats and digital abuse campaigns as well as the use of SLAPP suits designed to create a ‘chilling’ effect, silencing individuals and organisations from speaking out.
The Hub is designed to provide comprehensive support to organisations and activists threatened by the government’s efforts to delegitimise their activities including legal representation, increasing organisational safety measures both physically and digitally as well as building institutional resilience. The aim is to create the support network needed to ensure that civil society is able to focus on its mission defending democracy for a just, safe and equal Israel.
3) Saving democracy now – strengthening for the future
Alongside our urgent efforts to protect civil society and strengthen Israeli democracy, we are continuing our ongoing work to develop the leaders, policy and movements necessary to build long-term change.
Our grantees are among the leaders of the push-back against the government’s extremist agenda. Meanwhile, our operational arm Shatil is playing a vital role by helping organisations map threats and navigate the rapidly changing landscape.
Protecting and defending liberal democracy in Israel requires long-term investment in civil-society infrastructure, and we’re preparing to commit significant funds towards this work.
Delivering NIF’s Emergency Response will take significant new resources.
We hope you will join our urgent fight to defend democracy
for a just, safe and equal Israel.
For more details on our emergency response click here.
Our Impact in 2022
To see how your support is making change happen read our annual review below.
