News & Updates
All News-
August 15, 2026OPED: Givat Haviva and the future of the Jewish State
In his Times of Israel oped, Rabbi Asher Lopatin explains why he is engaged with Jewish-Arab relations in Israel, with Givat Haviva. “The Torah wants us to hold on strong to our Judaism, but at the same time the Torah wants us to have a close relationship with those who live in the land with us. The Torah indeed sees the ideal society at one where Jews and non-Jews live together in the Jewish state,” states Rabbi Lopatin, the Orthodox Vice Chair of the Friends of Givat Haviva National Rabbinic Cabinet and the rabbi at Kehillat Etz Chayim in Detroit. “Israel is blessed to have a great mix of resident non-Jews. Two million of them are Arab Muslims and Christians who are citizens of the Jewish State of Israel. To them Israel is home as well; it is their state and the society they are committed to building and strengthening,” writes Lopatin. “A Jewish state is a place where the Jews can feel completely comfortable and secure with being Jewish – in private and in public – and where they do not feel that any other religion limits their own Jewishness. However, a truly Jewish state should have no reason to fear having Muslims and Christians – Arabs, Druze, Bahai and others – living in the same state as full citizens. Not only not fear, but actually embrace the possibilities about how a diverse population can enhance our self-understanding as Jews and as lovers of the Jewish state.” Read Rabbi Lopatin’s full oped.
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July 21, 2026OPED: Israel’s Arab vote potential
“The ultimate test of a shared society in Israel is whether all citizens are fully engaged in the political process,” writes Givat Haviva Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe in his Jerusalem Post oped. “Arab citizens make up 21% of Israel’s population and roughly 17% of eligible voters. Their electoral potential is significant: Under the right circumstances, Arab voters could determine which bloc forms the next government,” states Darawshe. “The outcome of the October elections will depend on three factors – how many Arab parties run, Arab voter turnout, and whether Jewish political leaders are willing to include an Arab party in a governing coalition.” Darawshe concludes: “The opportunity to advance Jewish-Arab relations through a more inclusive government is within reach. The question is not whether Arab citizens are ready for partnership – they are. The question is which Jewish political leader will be courageous enough to take their hand?” Read Darawshe’s oped here: Israel’s Arab voters hold the key | The Jerusalem Post
Recent Events
All Events-
Jun
18
Givat Haviva June Briefing
A webinar briefing from the Givat Haviva campus featured Mohammad Darawshe, Director of strategy; Barak Ruben, the new Director of the Shared Art Center; Ola Najami Yousef, Director of the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace; and Yuval Dvir, Head of the Younited international high school. Each presented important updates on recent activities in their areas and plans for expansion of programs. Listen to the briefing.
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Jan
19
Special Briefing: Survey of Israeli Jews, Arabs
On Monday, January 19th, 12 pm (ET) Friends of Givat Haviva held a special briefing on the new Givat Haviva survey of Israeli Jewish and Arab citizens. The annual Givat Haviva Partnership Index provides vital insights into public opinion on critical issues affecting Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and the work of Givat Haviva. Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella, Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe, and Adi Sidi, presented the survey results and discussed their implications for advancing Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. This special briefing was the first time the Givat Haviva 2026 Partnership Index was presented in English, and follows the Givat Haviva Conference for a Shared Society that took place on January 6.
