News & Updates

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  July 21, 2026

  OPED: 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

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  June 25, 2026

  Where Artistic Excellence and Shared Society Meet Barak Rubin, Director of Givat Haviva Shared Arts Center

  For Barak Rubin, art has never been only about exhibitions or aesthetics. It is a language for discovering one another’s stories, a bridge between cultures, and a tool for imagining a truly shared society between Jews and Arabs in Israel. That vision is precisely what drew him to Givat Haviva. "Givat Haviva is the 'what if’ place," he says. “It dares to imagine what a shared democratic society can look like." As the new Director of the Givat Haviva Shared Arts Center and Curator of the Givat Haviva Gallery, Rubin brings a rare combination of artistic excellence, educational experience, and cultural entrepreneurship. His ambition is clear: to position the Arts Center as one of Israel’s leading cultural institutions while remaining deeply rooted in Givat Haviva’s mission of advancing a shared society and democratic values. “My vision is that Givat Haviva will become one of Israel's top cultural institutions," he says.

Recent Events

All Events

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  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.