Supporting Democracy in Israel
Dear Partners,
In the United States, Israel, and around the world, advocates, activists, and leaders face immense challenges that require bold new approaches.
Democratic societies globally are under attack. Far-right ethnic supremacist populist movements use racism and fear to undermine democratic institutions and norms. Devastating inequality provides a ripe environment for extremist politics to emerge. This is not the first time in history we’ve faced these challenges and we know that the only antidote is multiethnic, broad-based social movements that can bridge divides and uphold the values of democracy, pluralism, and human dignity.
Today, we are extremely concerned by those threats in Israel – a place where we have supported work for more than 27 years. We have seen the removal of protections for the rights of minorities, the undercutting of freedom of speech, and the undermining of a vision of an Israeli democracy that would “uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens,” as stated in the Israeli Declaration of Independence. These threats stand in the way of a just and lasting political agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinians that would end the ongoing Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories, provide for safety and security for all, and advance a more peaceful future.
As a social justice funder rooted in Jewish values that cares deeply about the future of all Israelis and Palestinians, now more than ever, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to work with a diversity of partners in Israel and the U.S. Our grantmaking in Israel has focused on closing social and economic gaps, bringing about a two-state solution that creates a just and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians, supporting the emergence of a wide field of environmental organizations, Israelis advocating for religious pluralism, investing in Arab communities in Israel, building a shared society, and supporting women as agents of change in Israeli society.
We stand committed to a vision of a multiethnic democracy in Israel based on solidarity across difference, shared belonging, and equality across all social sectors that affirms the human rights and self-determination of the Jewish and Palestinian people. We will continue to invest for the long-haul in the movements, leaders, and organizations who are upholding and advancing democracy in Israel. We remain optimistic about the promise of multiethnic democracy and justice movements to capture hearts, minds, and radical imagination.
Here in the U.S., we are also increasingly concerned about how Israel is being used as a wedge issue to divide movements for justice. We believe that the only way forward is to build the capacity of our leaders and movements to navigate complexity and disagreement, and to support them as they forge a deeper understanding and reshape what solutions are possible.
With this context in mind, NCF’s Israel portfolio is evolving to bring our grantmaking in Israel into alignment with our strategy and approach across all issues. Following a strategic review process as a board and staff community, we will focus our support on those building a just, vibrant, sustainable, and democratic society in Israel, as we do in the United States, through three strategies:
- Supporting civil society organizations and social movements, fortifying Israel’s democratic institutions, and advancing policies that ensure equality and solidarity across difference;
- Shifting the narrative in Israel from the prevailing worldview of fear and divisiveness to one of “shared belonging” across all identities using the arts, culture, and storytelling; and
- Deepening relationships between Israeli and U.S. change-makers that advance multiethnic pro-democracy movements in both countries.
The majority of our grantmaking is implemented in strategic and operational partnership with the New Israel Fund, the leading organization advancing democracy and equality for all Israelis, including an end to the occupation. Our partnership leverages NIF’s deep expertise, staff on the ground, and their extensive networks and relationships in the region.
Click here to review our full guidelines on our website.
Through our strategy review process, we deeply engaged on the issues with NCF’s diverse staff and board team. We affirmed together that the diversity of experience, background, and perspective that our people bring with them is a critical and valuable asset. Rather than shy away from tough conversations, our approach was to lean into dialogue across difference courageously. While the work is never done, we believe we have emerged more aligned and strategic for having done so.
Last summer, we traveled with our Board, NCF staff, and New Israel Fund staff to Israel and the occupied territories to meet with a broad network of NCF partners and projects advancing equality, peace, and justice in the region.
Our experience shows us how Israel holds not just one story, but multiple narratives and truths. We dove into the heart of these narratives, committing to an openness and willingness to learn and to challenge our own perspectives.
We met with activists and artists, culture-makers and journalists, Jewish and Arab elected officials from across the political spectrum, and those struggling to be heard. We met with Palestinian citizens of Israel; Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank; Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Europe; Mizrahi Jews from all over the Middle East and Africa; Ethiopian Jews; refugees from South Sudan and Eritrea; people of color (both Jewish and Arab), LGBTQ Israelis, those benefiting from the modern economy and those who are left out; with Jewish settlers advocating for co-existence; human rights activists opposing the ongoing military occupation of the West Bank; women leading intersectional movements for change; and people with roots going back thousands of years in the region. We are inspired by their vision of a society where all belong and their deep commitment to make that change happen.
We are incredibly grateful to the leadership on our Board and staff, particularly Michael Cummings and Phillip Sorenson, who co-chaired our strategy review, and to Isaac Luria who deftly guided us through it all with a passion and commitment to a future where another way is possible. We look forward to sharing more about our journey with you as it continues for us and our partners in the United States and in Israel.
Warmly,
Ruth Cummings, Board Chair
Sharon Alpert, President and CEO