Addressing Critical Issues in Israeli Society

Israel’s Declaration of Independence “The State of Israel…will be based on freedom, justice and peace…it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or gender…” Israel’s Declaration of Independence 5 Iyyar 5708 / 14 May 1948

What is NIF? Goals: To protect the civil and human rights of all Israelis, To close the social and economic gaps between Israel’s diverse communities, and To promote religious pluralism and tolerance. Issues include Jewish-Arab equality, women’s rights, advocating for migrant workers, LGBT rights and environmental justice.

Leadership Development How does NIF work? Grant-making Capacity-building Leadership Development Public Advocacy Through litigation, lobbying, and community empowerment, NIF grantees have emerged as the core of Israeli civil society.

Migrant Workers: On the Edge of Society “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:20) Sigal Rozen, Public Policy Coordinator for NIF grantee Hotline for Migrant Workers, with the child of a migrant worker

Background In the 1990s, Israel opened its borders to migrant workers. Today, there are more than 180,000 migrant workers in Israel: caregivers, agricultural laborers, construction workers The underlying problem: long-term labor policies for migrant workers do not exist Photos courtesy of Hotline for Migrant Workers

Challenges Exploitation by employers Detainment Withheld salaries Non-payment of overtime wages Payment below minimum wage Illegal confiscation of their passports Unsuitable living conditions Police brutality during arrest and detention Detaining and deporting legal workers to meet quotas to reduce the migrant worker population In 2011, Israel renewed the “binding policy.” Photo courtesy of Hotline for Migrant Workers

Challenges Deportation of children There are about 2,000 children of migrant workers. Hundreds of children are at risk of deportation. Again, the underlying problem: there is no official policy regarding the long-term status of migrant workers “No to detainment No to imprisonment No to expulsion Of children of migrant workers” “Children’s prison” Photos courtesy of Hotline for Migrant Workers

Richard and Jena’s story Against All Odds Richard and Jena’s story

Responding to the Challenges Promoting a just and compassionate society in Israel ACRI—Association for Civil Rights in Israel   Since 1972, ACRI has worked through litigation, legal advocacy, education, and public outreach to protect all in Israel and the territories under its control  Hotline for Migrant Workers The Hotline works to protect refugees and migrant workers, including those who entered Israel illegally. It also combats the trafficking of women in Israel. Photo courtesy of Association for Civil Rights in Israel

Making a Difference on the Ground Health coverage by the National Insurance Institute for migrant workers injured in work accidents, for all children of migrant workers, and for maternity care Education and tutoring in the Hebrew language for children of asylum-seekers State-funded legal aid to women willing to testify against traffickers Increasing the sentences of traffickers 2006: The Israeli government responded to a petition by ACRI and the Hotline for Migrant Workers and granted residency to 500 children. Photo courtesy of Hotline for Migrant Workers 2011: Following a petition by NIF grantees, Israel’s High Court of Justice cancelled an Israeli government order that required migrant workers to return their infant to their home country within three months of giving birth in order to retain their work visa.

How can you get involved? Attend NIF events Stay informed: sign up for NIF’s e-newsletter Follow NIF on Facebook and Twitter Join New Generations (20s and 30s) See NIF on the ground: join an NIF trip to Israel Apply for NIF fellowship programs (20s and 30s) www.nif.org/get-involved