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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Statement by FNF Jerusalem
FNF strongly condemns the 07.10 acts of violence carried out by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel, including the killing & kidnapping of innocent Israeli civilians. We stand in solidarity with Israel and support it's right to defend its citizens and protect itself. We are committed to fighting terrorism and promoting peace in the region, and we believe that all human beings have a fundamental right to live in safety and security, free from the fear of violence.
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"We are witnessing the birth of a new liberal camp in Israel"
On 18 June 2023 an important event marked the 75th birthday of Israel and the 40th birthday of the FNF office in Jerusalem, celebrating "40 years of liberal dialogue". Over 100 liberal partners and friends from Israel and the Palestinian territories gathered at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation to listen to the speeches of Tzipi Livni, former Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Deputy-Chair of FNF and former German Minister of Justice, and Steffen Seibert, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Israel.
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IFLRY Leadership Meets Israeli and Palestinian Liberal Activists
Last week we had the pleasure to host the leadership of IFLRY (International Federation of Liberal Youth) for a week of discussions and liberal dialogue, together with our local Israeli and Palestinian partners.
We met with Lihi Shmueli from our partner Israel Hofsheet and with Arik Segal who manages our ME 2.0 network. We met the Yesh Atid Youth and had a lively discussion on liberal traditional thought, and how it can be adapted for the 21st century. -
“I Believe That Our Responsibility is to Keep the Road for Peace Open”
Tzipi Livni, former Vice Prime Minister of Israel, is one of the fiercest critics against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reform. As a proponent of liberal democracy and a two-state solution, she stresses the importance of protecting civil liberties and social justice. In an interview with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, she talks about the challenges that the nationalist trend and religious parties pose for a pluralistic society.
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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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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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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.
Social Media
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We had the pleasure to participate in the opening of a new acceleration program of our partner حاسوب - Hasoub , with whom we are promoting entrepreneurship and economic integration in the Arab society of Israel. The program will focus on entrepreneurship and leadership skills needed in emergency situations and has been organized in response to the special needs of the Hasoub community in the current war. Hasoub will target Arab students, interested to help their own communities, and connect them with leading actors from local emergency coordination centers dealing with particular challenges the Arab society is confronted with in the current situation. Together they will work on innovative solutions to overcome existing problems. Wishing all participants, a fruitful and empowering learning experience and already looking forward to the big pitch day!!!
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We were shocked to learn about the tragic events at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital yesterday and our thoughts are with the families of the innocent people who died. In the current situation, we are deeply concerned about the fate of our partners and friends, and of all innocent civilians in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. We call on all parties to ensure that international humanitarian law is respected and that civilians are spared from suffering. After the horrendous terrorist attack of October 7, that caused so much suffering in southern Israel, we also call upon Hamas to free all hostages with immediate effect. Our hearts and thoughts are with our Palestinian and Israeli friends and partners. FNF Jerusalem has been working with Israeli and Palestinian partners for more than four decades, with colleagues from both sides working under one roof, side by side. Over the years, we have learned that coexistence and peaceful dialogue are possible against all the odds. Therefore, despite the great devastation around us, we believe in a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace and dignity. Now is not the time to succumb to despair and hatred. Together let us preserve our humanity and empathy in these difficult times.
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FNF strongly condemns yesterday’s acts of violence carried out by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel, including the killing & kidnapping of innocent Israeli civilians. We stand in solidarity with Israel today and support it's right to defend its citizens and protect itself. We are committed to fighting terrorism and promoting peace in the region, and we believe that all human beings have a fundamental right to live in safety and security, free from the fear of violence. We hope for a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and prosperity. #PeaceInTheMiddleEast #SupportIsrael #EndTerrorism
