Jerusalem
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been operating in Israel since 1982 and began its Palestinian work in 1994. With an Israeli-Palestinian team in a joint office in Jerusalem the foundation aims to be a platform of innovation for enhancing freedom in society, strengthening dialogue with the European Union and contributing to the advancement of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Together with our partners, we want to strengthen liberal values like the rule of law, respect of human dignity with civil and human rights, market economy principles and entrepreneurship and a democratic culture of tolerance and pluralism.
News
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Understanding Israel’s Constitutional Nightmare
Over the last few years, Israeli politics have undergone a deep polarization. Parties have been cornered into two opposing blocks, with support for Netanyahu as the fault line. His detractors see him as a corrupt leader who seeks to cling onto power, even if it means undermining liberal democracy in Israel. His supporters accuse the opposition of pushing extremists to the forefront of the political landscape by refusing to enter into a coalition with Netanyahu.
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Requests For Proposal
In order to conduct our projects in 2023, the Jerusalem Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom requires proposals from potential service providers and partners. Please contact us if you want to apply for any of the following.
Please send in proposals until February 24th, 2023 -
The Reforming of Netanyahu’s Israel
The Israeli public voted on November 1, for the fifth time in three years for two alternative governments. This time, Netanyahu’s bloc managed to get 64 out of the Knesset’s 120 seats, finally gaining the majority he needed to form a government. Now with a clear majority for his camp, Netanyahu was given the complicated task of forming a government. In the last few months, it became quite clear that these elections will be decided by which bloc has a higher voter turnout, and if they manage to save the smaller parties from disappearing, and thus wasting votes
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The Completion of Israel’s transition to a “Two Bloc System”
Israeli elections are right around the corner, and millions of Israelis are going to vote again on November 1, for the fifth time in three years. Since the Israeli Knesset dissolved on June 30, 2022, little has changed on the Israeli political map. There are still two main blocs, PM Lapid’s diverse liberal “center-left” coalition and former PM Netanyahu’s religious far-right opposition. This “Two Bloc System” is still being challenged by Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, who offers an alternative government that includes parties from both blocs.
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Another Round of Early Elections in Israel – How Will it Look?
While United States President Joe Biden was scheduled to meet PM Bennett in Jerusalem, Yair Lapid was already able to show diplomatic qualities on the world stage as new Prime Minister of Israel in his stead. If this government proved more stable, Lapid would have only become Prime Minister next year. Nevertheless, with the Israeli Knesset voting unanimously to disband on June 30, 2022, November 1, 2022, was set as the date for early elections and Lapid became PM.
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Voices from Israel: Regional Impact of the Russian War in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin began. The actions of the State of Israel since then have been like walking a tightrope: On the one hand, it has joined a condemnation of Russia's actions by the United Nations General Assembly; on the other, it has not joined Western sanctions. It provides humanitarian aid but excludes arms deliveries.
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Israeli Government Loses Majority: One Final Crack in an Already Fragile Coalition?
On June 13, 2021, the current Israeli government was formed in hopes of ending a political crisis that had dragged Israel through four national elections in two years. After less than a year, this government has lost its slim majority of 61 of the 120 seats in parliament and has shrunk to 60 seats. This means that the coalition's ability to pass legislation has weakened.