Arab Election Participation Highlights Need to Combat Incitement, Says Equality Center

The Equality Center participated in a European meeting in Tel Aviv-Yafo on Thursday to assess progress on civil society and media empowerment projects. The meeting, part of the EU-funded PEASCE program implemented by Expertise France and CFI, included remarks from Jocelyn Guiton, Deputy Head of the EU Mission, and Francesca Gilli, Regional Team Leader for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Foreign Policy Instruments Service.

During a session showcasing partner institutions, Soha Salman Moussa, Executive Director of the Equality Center, presented the achievements and challenges of the "Voices of Resilience" project. This initiative, implemented with Itach Ma'aki and the Educational Guidance Association, aims to empower youth and women, promote non-violent civil action, and foster dialogue between Arab, Jewish, and Russian-speaking communities. The project seeks to transform dialogue into initiatives that enhance civic participation and build trust.

Salman Moussa addressed the rise in incitement and racism against Palestinian citizens of Israel since October 2023, noting restrictions on freedom of expression and political participation, and fears of persecution for political stances or civil activism. She highlighted attempts to delegitimize Arab political participation before recent elections and concerns about rising tensions and racist attacks, particularly in mixed cities. However, she asserted that the broad participation and electoral results of the Arab community demonstrated their ability to counter marginalization by exercising their democratic rights.

"Political participation does not begin or end at the ballot box. It requires a safe democratic space, strong civil society institutions, and youth and women who possess the tools, knowledge, and confidence to exercise their rights," Salman Moussa stated. She emphasized that the impact of incitement extends beyond elections to Arab-Jewish relations and public safety, especially in cities like Haifa, Jaffa, Lod, and Acre.

Salman Moussa explained that the ongoing war and regional escalation necessitated adapting project activities and adopting more flexible methods while maintaining project goals. She stressed that trust-building requires direct interaction and shared human experiences that cannot be fully replaced by virtual activities. The meeting also included presentations from other partner organizations such as Humanity Crew, Yesh Din, The 7th Eye, FakeReporter, and ISOL, focusing on information verification and combating disinformation.

Concluding her presentation, Salman Moussa reiterated that trust-building requires continuous effort and the involvement of youth, women, and local institutions in designing and leading initiatives. She affirmed that societal cohesion is linked to equal rights, protected freedoms, and guaranteed civic and political participation for Arab citizens. "In a time of wars, polarization, and incitement, investing in social solidarity is not a luxury, but a necessity," she concluded, adding that societal strength lies in building networks of individuals and institutions with the knowledge, trust, and capacity to cooperate and work together in facing crises.