Equality Center Highlights Arab Citizen Participation Amidst Rising Incitement

The Equality Center participated in a European meeting in Tel Aviv-Yafo on Thursday to assess progress in civil society and media empowerment projects. The gathering, part of the EU-funded PEASCE program implemented by Expertise France and CFI, included EU officials, representatives from the implementing organizations, and partner civil society and media groups.

During a session showcasing partner initiatives, Soha Salman Moussa, Executive Director of the Equality Center, presented the "Voices of Resilience" project, which aims to strengthen trust and social cohesion through non-violent civil action. The project, a collaboration with Itach Ma'aki and the Educational Guidance Association, focuses on empowering youth and women, fostering dialogue between Arab, Jewish, and Russian-speaking communities, and translating discussions into initiatives for civic engagement.

Moussa addressed the significant rise in incitement and racism against Palestinian citizens of Israel since October 2023, noting the concurrent restrictions on freedom of expression and political participation. She expressed concerns about potential targeting due to political stances and civil activism, particularly highlighting attempts to delegitimize Arab political participation and the right to influence the country's future in the lead-up to recent elections. She also pointed to fears of escalating tensions and racist attacks, especially in mixed cities.

Despite these challenges, Moussa stated that the broad participation and electoral results of the Arab community demonstrated their ability to counter marginalization and exclusion through democratic engagement. She emphasized that political participation requires a safe democratic space, strong civil society institutions, and empowered youth and women. Moussa stressed that the impact of incitement extends beyond elections, affecting Arab-Jewish relations and public safety in cities like Haifa, Jaffa, Lod, and Acre.

She explained that the ongoing war and regional escalation necessitated adapting project activities with more flexible methods while maintaining project goals. Moussa underscored that building trust requires direct interaction and shared human experiences, which cannot be fully replaced by virtual activities. The meeting also included presentations from six other partner organizations, focusing on achievements, challenges, collaboration opportunities, and combating disinformation.

Moussa concluded by stressing that building trust requires continuous effort and the involvement of local youth, women, and institutions. She linked social cohesion to equal rights, protected freedoms, and guaranteed civic and political participation for Arab citizens, asserting that investing in social solidarity is a necessity, not a luxury, especially during times of war and polarization.