New Israel Fund – Our Impact

The New Israel Fund mobilises Israelis to make positive, progressive change by strengthening Israeli civil society and fighting the inequality, injustice, and extremism that diminish Israel. We invest in long-term change, nurturing progressive grassroots activism and civil society leadership whilst also acting as a vigilant and responsive defender of Israeli democracy.

From Israel’s first rape crisis centres, to the passage of the law banning torture in civilian interrogations, NIF- funded organisations have driven positive social change and furthered justice and equality for 40 years. As the founder and funder of most of Israel’s progressive civil society, we have provided over £225 million (incl £30 million from the UK) to more than 900 organisations since our inception.

In addition to our grantmaking, our operating arm Shatil exists to strengthen the forces building a just, democratic and shared society in Israel. It does this by building coalitions of dedicated change-makers and empowering a range of civil society groups who share our values.

NIF advocates for equality for all Israelis. That means we defend women’s rights, fight for the rights of non-Orthodox Jews, and fight for equality for LGBTQ Israelis. It means we empower Israelis working to uphold human rights in the occupied territories and oppose the settlement enterprise. It means we advance civil rights and access to housing and education for Palestinian citizens of Israel. It means we protect minority rights. It means that we stand for the values of democracy in Israel.

NIF prioritises a holistic approach to achieving the type of society that reflects the progressive values of Israel’s founders. Together with our partners and through Shatil, NIF is dedicated to supporting change in a number of key, interconnected areas that together, we believe, will help bring about a better and more equal Israel:

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Civil & Human Rights

From women’s and LGBT rights, to the relationship between synagogue and state, to protecting the rights of Jewish and non-Jewish minorities, NIF has founded, funded, trained or otherwise supported every significant human and civil rights organisation in Israel.

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Social & Economic Justice

The NIF works to ensure social and economic justice for all Israelis, the unemployed and those on low wages, single parents, the elderly, Israeli Arabs, new immigrants and Mizrachim. We support groups that campaign for their rights and work for equality of opportunity for all.

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Religious Freedom

NIF works to promote religious freedom in Israel, to foster a more tolerant society that embraces the rich diversity of Jewish identity, and that creates a sphere of non-religious, civil law for all Israeli citizens.

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Shared Society

Part of NIF’s mission is to create a safe space for dialogue and engagement between all sections of Israeli society: religious and secular, Orthodox and Reform, Ashkenazi and Mizrachi, Jews and Arabs.

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Palestinian Citizens of Israel

NIF seeks to promote full equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel, who comprise 20% of Israel’s population, and to enhance their participation in Israel’s democratic processes and institutions.

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Stepping up the Fight for Democracy in Israel

NIF is committed to a vision of Israel that is democratic and egalitarian. And we are ready to fight for it. New Initiatives for Democracy (NIFD) is our concerted campaign to equip Israel’s pro-democracy and progressive forces with the tools to fight Israel’s regressive right–and win.