Who We Are and What We Do

The New Israel Fund stands for a just, safe and equal Israel. We partner with and fund Israeli organisations that deliver a fairer society for all. We do this by empowering minorities and marginalised people, defending democracy and human rights, while also advancing partnerships between Arab and Jewish leaders and communities.

Response to the War in Iran

Over the past week, many of us have been in close contact with family, friends and colleagues in Israel, as they shelter from missile attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our colleagues in Israel are currently working with leaders and partners across civil society to provide emotional and practical support to vulnerable communities throughout the country. We hope that beyond the current resort to war, diplomacy will not be neglected to ensure a safer future for all Israelis and everyone across the Middle East.

Following October 7

After the devastating events on October 7, we have distributed over 60 emergency grants to Israelis totalling more than £5,000,000. These grants assisted the most vulnerable people affected by the attacks and funded homes for over 30,000 evacuees and 10,000 food packages. We empowered citizens to know their rights and assisted them in accessing them. We funded mental health support and trauma counselling, allowing Natal (the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Centre) to expand their operations and train more therapists.

We are also generously funding the ‘Hostages and Missing Families Forum’ to secure the release of the remaining hostages and support their families.

Investing in Education and Planning for the ‘Day After’

We are now looking ahead at how to build a different future, training leaders who will bring about solutions for a shared future and a different political paradigm.

Last year, our grantees, Berl Katznelson Centre and Mitvim, launched ‘The Israeli Initiative’, an initiative aimed at transforming the ongoing tragedy into a political and diplomatic turning point, paving the way for lasting security.

Another grantee, Citizen HQ, is monitoring and exposing fake news, bots, hate speech, and propaganda online while gathering experts to start proactive media work (traditional and social) that provides insights into alternative solutions to the current dire political situation in Israel.

IDEA: The Centre for Liberal Democracy created a multimedia campaign against the renewal of Jewish settlement in Gaza, highlighting the risks of such an initiative and laying the groundwork for a political solution to the conflict.

Rebuilding the Negev

Jews and Bedouins have endured tremendous trauma and displacement after October 7, intensifying long-standing issues of inequality and underdevelopment in the area.

Years of experience working for and with these communities has positioned the NIF as an ideal partner to support them throughout this unprecedented challenge. Last year, we launched the Equality and Partnership Programme in the Negev, which helps rebuild the communities directly impacted by the attacks and ensures that those often-forgotten communities are represented, funded and supported.

For example, Ofakim and Netivot, towns which saw Hamas terrorists kill 47 people on October 7 and are located 7 to 13 miles away from Gaza, were initially not included in the government’s rehabilitation programme. Following the advocacy efforts by our grantees (Bimkom, the Adva Centre, and the Mizrahi Civic Collective) who called for a more balanced, comprehensive approach to rehabilitation of the Western Negev, they were finally included in the programme last April and will receive NIS 5 billion to rehabilitate and develop their communities.

Shared Society

The Club de Madrid project defines a ‘shared society’ as a society that:

“has social cohesion and is stable and secure. It is a place where all its members feel at home. Such a society respects the dignity and human rights of all its members and grants everyone equal rights. It is a tolerant society that respects diversity. A shared society is built and nurtured by strong political leadership.”

The fundamental concept of a shared society in Israel means respect, equality, and inclusion toward all citizens and minorities: Ethiopian Israelis, Ultra-Orthodox, Palestinian citizens of Israel, immigrants and others. On a practical level, this means the creation of shared spaces in education, employment, and academia, and in rebalancing power relations. The shared society we aspire to is more egalitarian, just, and fair in terms of resource distribution.

For example, our longtime grantee, Givat Haviva leads the way in promoting Arab-Jewish understanding through experiential education. By fostering real-world interactions and structured dialogue, Givat Haviva bridges cultural divides through Arab-Jewish shared learning spaces, immersive education experiences and facilitated intercultural dialogue.

One of its many programmes is the YOUNITED International School, which brings together promising young students from diverse communities and varying economic backgrounds. Over three year,s they develop as leaders for cross-cultural cooperation and conflict resolution through a unique approach blending academic excellence with emotional intelligence.