Israeli Officials Unite Civil Society Groups to Strengthen National Advocacy Efforts

Tzipi Hotovely, head of Israel's National Advocacy Directorate, and Minister of Diaspora and Anti-Semitism Combat Amichai Shikli held their first joint working meeting with civil society organizations engaged in advocacy, fighting anti-Semitism, and countering efforts to delegitimize Israel. The meeting took place on Monday and included the participation of Avi Cohen Skali, CEO of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. During the forum, the organizations outlined key challenges they face internationally and discussed ways to enhance coordination, expand cooperation, promote joint initiatives, and tailor Israel's advocacy messages to diverse global audiences.

Hotovely emphasized the necessity of collaboration among all advocacy organizations on the ground, stating, "The challenges facing the State of Israel require cooperation with all advocacy organizations in the field." She praised Shikli's efforts, highlighting the shift from defense to offense in advocacy and called their partnership "just the beginning." Shikli noted that since the outbreak of the war, civil society groups have worked closely with the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which was among the first to allocate real-time funding to support them. He stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and deepening cooperation with these organizations and welcomed Hotovely's appointment as head of the National Advocacy Directorate, calling her "the right woman in the right place."