Israel Office

Our regional office in Tel Aviv coordinates the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation’s work in Israel

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Political and social development in Israel has been characterized for some time now by governments whose neoliberal and nationalist policies affect every aspect of the lives of people living under Israeli control – that is to say, on both sides of the Green Line. The neoliberal and nationalist tendencies seen in repeated Israeli governments have proven mutually reinforcing, and pose an enormous challenge to those seeking progressive alternatives.

The ongoing occupation has fatal repercussions on Israel’s domestic situation, as well. Since its founding, Israel has defined itself as a Jewish and democratic state. However, the instrumentalization of the external threat to limit protest and cement its hold on power means that Israel’s political centre is increasingly openly nationalistic and sometimes racist in its approach to the state’s Jewish character. Meanwhile, democratic spaces are getting smaller and smaller.

The Palestinian minority is the group most affected by discrimination within Israel. As a result, poverty, unemployment, precarious employment, violence, and crime are part of their daily lives. Neoliberal policies increase poverty and chip away at the social and economic structures of Palestinian society.

The Left and progressive forces (including political parties) have so far proven largely incapable of winning new strength and popularity, developing clear alternatives, or even reaching a wider audience. The progressive camp has little in-depth analysis of the social, economic, and political situation in Israel, while socio-economic struggles tend to take place in isolation from efforts to end the occupation.

Activities

  • Strengthening Progressive, Left-Wing Ideas in Israel
    For Israel’s progressive forces to be perceived as a social alternative, they will need to revise their theoretical framework, open up to new and broader circles, and strengthen their ties with the global Left.

    The progressive camp is generally ill-equipped when it comes to theories and concrete praxes relating to the field of economics. Topics such as the commons, the growth of the service sector, global migration and value chains, and even classical topics relating to the welfare state are only discussed in small, isolated activist circles.

    As a result, progressive forces hardly have the means — let alone strategies — to counter the dominance of the nationalist far right.
  • Strengthening the Palestinian Minority
    After years of political persecution and neglect, most segments of Palestinian society find themselves weakened and oppressed. They lack a strong Palestinian identity and are engulfed by a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. This proves to be a fertile breeding ground for reactionary forces.

    Progressive Palestinian actors are confronted with both an oppressive and discriminatory Israeli hegemony as well as reactionary forces within Palestinian society itself. The foundation therefore supports progressive Palestinian actors in asserting their rights, developing their capacities, and strengthening their influence among the Palestinian population. It also helps the Palestinian minority to ensure its voice is better heard among the Jewish majority.
  • Sustaining Capacities for Civic Action
    In recent years, freedom of speech and democratic rights in Israel have come under enormous pressure. This development has been driven by various legislative initiatives including a law to suspend members of the Knesset and an NGO law, as well as by moves to curb press freedom and the Palestinian population’s cultural and language-related rights.

    Faced with such challenges, it is particularly important to identify fresh approaches to fighting the dominance of the nationalist far right and to call for both an end to Israeli occupation and for a society based on equality, justice, emancipation and solidarity. This involves ending the segregation and hostility between Jews and Palestinians in Israel.

    The partner organizations involved in all these activities include activists affiliated with political parties, representatives of civil society organizations and NGOs, research institutions, trade unions, and independent political groups.

Israel Office

Director: Gil Shohat

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Tel Aviv Office
Rothschild Boulevard 11
Tel Aviv 6688114
Israel

+972 3 6228290

telaviv.office@rosalux.org
www.rosalux.org.il