Disclaimer: This page refers to content related to the enabling environment for civil society only within Israel. It does not cover the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israel is a democratic state with an active and vibrant civil society. The current right-wing government is working to narrow democratic space and bring about far-reaching changes in the image and character of Israeli democracy through what its leaders call ‘legal reform’ and its opponents call ‘a regime coup’. This move intends to weakens the legal system, academia, the media, professional bureaucracy, and civil society. It grants additional powers and authority to the executive and legislative branches, changing long-standing checks and balances, all during a prolonged painful war, and widespread and sustained public protest opposing these moves, as well as fierce public debate between supporters and opponents.
In the meantime, despite the change described, CSOs from all streams, are leading action in the public sphere. It is possible to continue to demonstrate, protest, speak out against the government, establish civic organizations, and take action in the public and political arenas.
Freedom of expression, association, and protest are not explicitly anchored in a dedicated Basic Law. However, all three are referenced in other laws and are recognized as fundamental rights within Israel’s constitutional framework – primarily through judicial interpretation.
Most Israeli CSOs operate under the Associations Law and Companies Law that define registration requirements and good conduct. Additional laws, regulations, and procedures define, funding procedures, tax benefits, and digital activity including transparency, accessibility and data security requirements. There are approximately twenty-two thousand active registered CSOs in Israel and many unregistered groups and organizations.
Israeli CSOs are responsible for 5% of the GDP and employ over 10% of the workforce. About half of the income of nonprofits in Israel is from government funds, a third from fee for service, and 15% from donations (approximately 6.25 billion dollars in 2022).
For years formal and informal dialogue has taken place between CSOs, politicians and government officials, some through institutionalized cross-sector round tables. Tension around political and ideological positions in the past two and a half years has affected the frequency and depth of the discourse. In ‘less political’ arenas dialogue and cooperation often occur and civil society input is appreciated.
CSOs have easy access to high-quality networks at affordable prices. Discourse online is judgmental and intolerant and mostly unregulated by government with an exception for security issues. Israel’s Palestinian minority feel their freedom of expression in the digital environment, and in general, is much less protected than in earlier times. Threats online and cyber-attacks harm CSOs, like other entities.
The current situation presents challenges for organizations and activists who are coping with questions of both economic and emotional resilience. Against the backdrop of intense political polarization and ongoing security instability, civil society organizations and activists in Israel have become central and influential players in shaping the social and political arena.
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Shatil
