Messianic, extreme nationalist and antidemocratic elements are determined to use the 2026 Knesset election to permanently impose their dark vision on Israel. As in past elections, they are preparing to use every means available to ensure their success. Ultimately, only Israeli voters can stop them. But the rest of us can try to make sure the full electorate has an  inclusive , informed and fair opportunity to make their choice known. We are confident that a fair and free election will move Israel back toward the democratic and ethical values embodied in its Declaration of Independence.

Americans cannot participate in partisan campaigns in Israel. But Israeli civil society organizations are preparing to fight to assure that the elections will reflect the informed wishes of the entire electorate. We can help them! 

Extremists are committed to denying many Israelis the right to participate in in a fair and democratic political process. They have already moved to disqualify Arab candidates in the upcoming elections.  They will, as in the past, try to use election law and intimidation to depress voting by their opponents.

OUR RESPONSE:

• Standing Together: As the largest Jewish-Arab grassroots movement in Israel, Standing Together is committed to creating an alternative to the existing reality by building the political power to make it happen.  Their get-our-the-vote (GOTV) efforts will focus on Arab and other communities against whom voter suppression efforts have been focused in the past.  
• Darkenu:  With 400,000 active supporters, Darkenu is a nationwide, non-partisan civil society movement, committed to advocating for the values of democracy, equality, and social justice.  During the coming year, it will organize a sophisticated education and  GOTV effort to assure that every voice is heard.

We can help by providing the financial resources these extraordinary Israelis need to get the job done. 

The government's pursuit of perpetual war and the continuing effect of 10/7, along with the buy-in of most mainstream media, have left the public sphere essentially devoid of debate and consideration of alternative visions and strategies for security, peace and democracy.  

• Commanders for Israel’s Security is using the extraordinary prestige and experience of its nearly 600 retired IDF generals and their intelligence and diplomatic equivalents to powerfully promote just such an alternative vision, at its core the pursuit of civil separation from the Palestinians and a pathway to an eventual two-state solution. We can help them fund their nationwide media campaign to open up the discussion.  

 Part of the overall assault on Israeli democracy has been the attempt to weaken and corrupt election laws and law enforcement to the advantage of those in power.  We can expect these efforts to go into overdrive this year.

•  The Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG)  has led the charge for 35 years to protect the rule of law and hold public officials accountable — in the courts, in the Knesset, and in the streets.  Its experienced legal department will again lead the charge to frustrate attempts to deny Israelis a voice through corrupt legislative and executive action.

Two additional ways to act:

"Fly and Vote":  Over 500,00 eligible Israeli voters live abroad. In a critical election, their voices need to be heard. But with no absentee ballot allowed, they must be in Israel at the time of the election. The “Fly & Vote” program of AID Coalition is organizing and providing logistical support to help Israeli citizens exercise their franchise and help shape the future of the nation.  Learn more at https://www.aid-coalition.org/flyvote-voter-eligibility

New Israel Fund has funded and assisted more than 950 organizations since 1979 that work to build a better Israel. The struggle to protect Israeli democracy and to secure equality and peace will continue far into the future. Supporting NIF is a powerful way to help build the human and organizational resources that will be needed in that fight.  Learn more at https://nif.org/