Sowing regional seeds of hope Eli Bar-On, Dr Najah Al Otaibi and Ghanem Nuseiben In May, at the historic Château d’Ermenonville outside Paris, something remarkable happened. Dozens of leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa – Israelis, Palestinians, Moroccans, Egyptians, Bahrainis, Jordanians and many others – gathered not Read more…
For two years, the peoples of Israel and Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering, loss and pain sparked by the barbaric Hamas attacks of 7 October. LFI strongly supports the ceasefire deal agreed overnight which will see the release of the Israeli hostages and a surge in aid to Gaza. Our Read more…
The below is a standalone essay from Ayala Metzger, daughter-in-law of Yoram Metzger, who was taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023. My name is Ayala Metzger. On 7 October 2023, my 80-year-old father-in-law and mother-in-law were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz to Khan Yunis. They were abducted Read more…
Justice for atrocities must matter by Yael Vias Gvirsman As Robert Jackson, the chief US prosecutor, reminded the world at Nuremberg: “Civilisation cannot tolerate [these acts] being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated.” The trials at Nuremberg and, later, the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem, stand as defining moments Read more…
A voice for the region’s concerned mothers by Naama Barak Wolfman Since 7 October 2023, our lives have been marked by fear, grief and pain. Recent days have seen anger and frustration added to this unfortunate list. But, at Women Wage Peace, we refuse to let despair shape the future. Read more…
Pursuing equality and democracy for all Israel’s citizens By Shahira Shalabi The concept of democracy faces a profound challenge in today’s Israel. The definition of the state as both “Jewish and democratic” creates an inherent tension in relation to its Palestinian citizens. Also referred to, especially internationally, as Arab citizens Read more…
We welcome the proposals announced in Washington last night to end the tragic conflict between Israel and Hamas sparked by the terrible events of 7 October 2023. If implemented, they will both free the hostages held by Hamas for 725 days and ensure a desperately needed surge in aid to Read more…
A new generation of Bedouin leaders building a shared future by Menucha Saitowitz At Desert Stars, we are building a new generation of Bedouin leaders – young people with the skills, vision and courage to shape not only the future of their own communities, but of Israeli society as a Read more…
LFI’s Voices for Change project gives those in Israel striving for democratic values, social justice and peace the opportunity to share their challenges, hopes and achievements. Like almost every democracy today, Israel wrestles with polarisation and populism, and threats to its democratic values and institutions. In the Israeli case, these Read more…
Israel’s unions are fighting for its future by Peter Lerner When I hung up my uniform after 25 years in the Israel Defence Forces, I thought I was stepping away from the frontlines. What I didn’t expect was that the most decisive battles for Israel’s future would not be fought Read more…
LFI’s new Voices for Change project gives those in Israel striving for democratic values, social justice and peace the opportunity to share their challenges, hopes and achievements. Spanning six key areas – strengthening democracy, shared society, gender and sexual equality, Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, regional peacebuilding, and social justice – we are Read more…
While we do not doubt the sincerity of the government’s intentions and share its desire to see an end to the tragic conflict in Gaza, we strongly disagree with the decision to recognise a Palestinian state at this point. Recognition of a Palestinian state outside of a meaningful peace process Read more…