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Amos Oz and other leading Israelis join NIF’s Council

Leading figures in Israel including Nobel laureate Prof. Aaron Ciechanover, author Amos Oz and former Attorney General Michael Ben Yair have joined NIF’s International Council.

Women Should Be Seen & Heard - November 2011

Advertisers are caving in to the demands of extremist ultra-Orthodox groups. They’re dropping photos of women from posters and billboards in Jerusalem.

Remembering Yitzhak Rabin as Intolerance and Violence Grow

The annual memorial ceremony in the Orthodox synagogue named in memory of Rabin was organised by NIF grantee 12 Heshvan: Promoting Tolerance in an Orthodox Context. The event was attended by Israeli politicians including Minister for Defence Matan Vilnai, MK Zevulun Orlev, Rehovot Mayor Rahamim Malul and Rehovot Chief Rabbi Simcha Kook.

Campaigning against Bills to Limit Funding for Israeli Human Rights Groups

The Israeli government has decided to freeze or postpone considering the Bills that were intended to restrict funding to Israeli human rights and social justice groups. This followed a concerted campaign both within Israel and internationally.

Record Year for NIF 2011 Human Rights Awards

300 people attended our 2011 Human Rights Award Event on 6th November. This year’s Award went to Barbara Epstein the Director of Community Advocacy (CA) for her outstanding work in the area of social and economic justice. The Event also raised £140,000 for NIF’s grantees and projects in Israel, a record amount.

NIF Statement on Proposed Bills on Defunding Civil Society

The leadership of the New Israel Fund is dismayed and disappointed that legislation defunding Israel’s progressive civil society passed the Cabinet today with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s support.

NIF UK ANNOUNCES 2011 HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD WINNER

NIF UK is delighted to announce that this year’s NIF Human Rights Award winner is Barbara Epstein the Director of Community Advocacy for her outstanding work in the area of social and economic justice.

100,000+ Copies of NIF “Atonement” Distributed Throughout Israel

In the lead up to Yom Kippur, NIF circulated to 100,000 Israeli families a collection of articles about atonement in the form of a magazine. The articles related to the Jewish theme of atonement and to other contemporary social issues such as the protests for social justice and to women's rights. The magazine, ‘Kapare Alenu’ was included as an insert in Ha’aretz and distributed online.

1,000 Rabbis Condemn Galilee Mosque Arson

1,000 rabbis from around the world have signed a statement condemning the burning of the mosque in Tuba-Zangariya. The statement was initiated by the New Israel Fund and was presented to the Imam of the village of Tuba-Zangariya by dozens of rabbis and other activists participating in a solidarity convoy to the village.

A British View of the Israeli Social Justice Protests, October 2011

This summer witnessed the largest public protests ever in Israel’s short history. 450,000 people, or 8.5% of the voting population, took to the streets to air their frustration with high prices, low wages and an impoverished welfare system.

Response to release of Gilad Shalit, October 2011

Immediately following the release of Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity, New Israel Fund CEO Daniel Sokatch made the following statement:

NIF Online Petition Makes Media Headlines in Israel - October 2011

An online petition organised by NIF and signed by nearly 4,000 Jews worldwide in support of the Israeli social justice protests made major media headlines in Israel ahead of the largest of the mass social protest demonstrations.

Social Justice Demonstrators Dominate Haaretz 100 Top People 5771 List - October 2011

Haaretz has named its 100 most influential people of 5771, and in a departure from its normal procedure, the paper placed a rather large group in first place:

"You – the Israeli public who in the summer of 2011 took its own fate into its hands."

Statement by New Israel Fund Re: Wikileaks on Anti-Democratic Legislation - 06 September 2011

This statement was issued by NIF International:

Washington, DC: In response to the Wikileaks cable recounting a February 2010 discussion about pending anti-democratic legislation in the Knesset, the New Israel Fund issued the following statement:

SHATIL and Israel’s new awakening 1st September

It's been a long time coming.

"The People! Demand! Social Justice!!" The rhythmic and heartfelt cry is now reverberating among hundreds of thousands of Israelis from all walks of life and in every media outlet. On Saturday night, August 6, 300,000 people participated in mass protests throughout the country – with continuing rallies and new tent encampments erected daily. The Israeli public is standing up for its rights and asserting its longing for a more just and equitable society – something that NIF and SHATIL, its training arm, have supported for more than two decades.

Good intent of those in tents

Around 300,000 of my fellow Israelis went on to the streets last Saturday night to demand a better, more just Israel. This demonstration grew out of a protest movement that began just three weeks ago. Nothing like this has been seen in Israel before. It is a powerful and optimistic moment, a grassroots phenomenon with huge popular support.

New Israel Fund Annual Report 2010

Our 2010 Annual Report is now available to download from our website.

Tents, Cottage Cheese and Social Protests in Israel - 04 August 2011

"I'm certainly not surprised by the way the protests have spread. My only surprise is that it has taken so long for people to take action," said Haim Bar-Yaakov, Founder and Director of NIF grantee Life With Dignity,

BDS, the boycott law and Israel's democracy - 21 July 2011

July 11, 2011 was a watershed in Israel's political history. The adoption by the Knesset of "The Law to Prevent Harm to the State of Israel via Boycott" (generally known as the boycott law), makes it a compensable civil wrong to publicly encourage a boycott against the state of Israel, its institutions or any territory under its rule.

NEW ISRAEL FUND WELCOMES KNESSET REJECTION OF “INVESTIGATION” OF HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS

The New Israel Fund, the leading organization advancing democracy and social justice in Israel, today applauded the decisive Knesset votes rejecting a proposed “parliamentary inquiry” into the activities of the human rights community.

Defending Israel's Democracy – we need your help – 19 July 2011

New Israel Fund and its family of organisations in Israel are working intensively to struggle against anti-democratic trends and attempts to limit freedom of speech

Don’t Boycott Democracy – 12 July 2011

As everyone who pays us the slightest bit of attention knows, we at the New Israel Fund firmly oppose the global boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. We think it’s a counterproductive and inflammatory strategy, imposing collective punishment on all Israelis.

The Hall Was Transfixed

The launch of the New Israel Fund in Australia in May sparked some controversy among the 110,000-strong Jewish community on the outer edge of the Diaspora, the majority of whom have heard only the official party line on Israel for years.

Football campaigners reveal anti-racist goals - 16 June 2011

It was a game of two halves as tackling racism in British and Israeli football was the theme of a JCC and New Israel Fund forum in central London on Tuesday.

NIF Initiates and Supports 40 Shavuot Tikkun Events - 3 Jun 2011

In a new program emphasizing our commitment to religious pluralism, NIF has initiated Shavuot Eve Torah study sessions throughout Israel, to be held next Tuesday, June 7.

Conquest of our despair over Israel is now vital - By Adam Ognall - 26 May 2011

Three weeks after Israel's 63rd birthday celebrations, it is becoming clear that this year is likely to be as significant as any in the country's history.

Yediot Ahronot Honours Israel's Human Rights and Social Change Organisations - May 2011

In honour of Israeli Independence Day, senior correspondents at Yediot Ahronot, the country's largest circulation newspaper, were asked to choose who most deserved to light a torch for the nation this year. Journalist Einat Fishbein chose "Israel's human rights and social change organisations for not surrendering in the fight to shape Israel's character."

NIF Activist Chosen to Light Independence Day Torch - May 2011

When NIF activist Yuvi Tashome was chosen to light one of the 12 torches at the Independence Day ceremony on Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, and called to the stage by her African birth-name, she was not only thrilled to be receiving one of the nation's highest honours, but at the fact that her Ethiopian-Israeli identity was being fully recognised.

Naomi Chazan Debates Future of Israel with Community Leaders - May 2011

More than 300 people attended the NIF Independence Day debate with NIF President, and former Speaker of the Knesset Naomi Chazan.

JC – comment - NIF Fellow Keren Simons – 3rd Feb 2011

Keren Simons, an intern at Bedouin NGO Alnuhud, knows first-hand what problems can occur when outsiders try to help a traditional community. The 25-year-old Oxford University graduate is the first New Israel Fund UK William Frankel Social Justice Fellowship. She is currently based in Beersheva, promoting education for Bedouin women in the Negev.

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