Press

After Oct. 7, a hub of Jewish-Arab shared society faces its toughest test

As Israel reeled from the Oct.7 attacks, Givat Haviva took on roles that went far beyond its mandate — it became a refuge, a mirror for itself and wider society and a case study in whether hope can endure under siege, writes Tamara Zieve, Israel correspondent for Jewish Insider, in a feature article on Givat Haviva. “To work for a shared society is a life project,” said Mohammad Darawshe, director of strategy at Givat Haviva.

American Jews should prioritize shared society in Israel

“To not openly recognize that 21% of Israelis who are not Jewish are integral to the state, to not actually connect with them, is inconsient with our values as American Jews,” Friends of Givat Haviva Chair David Heller writes in his JNS oped. “The foundations of shared society have held firm since October 7, 2023,” he writes. “Our shared Jewish commitments, both American and Israeli, to democracy will embolden all who are working to strengthen the shared society in Israel.”

"Commitment to excellence": Shark Tank investor Daniel Lubetzky reveals his learnings from when he met extraordinary people

Shark Tank mentor Daniel Lubetzky shared a video clip via Instagram where he discussed meeting extraordinary people, including Givat Haviva's Mohammad Darawshe.

The Givat Haviva Annual Conference “Shared Society in Emergency Times”

The Task Force on Israeli Arab Citizens reports on the 2025 Givat Haviva conference, “Shared Society in Emergency Times.” It focused on the resilience of Israeli society, highlighting how its Jewish and Arab citizens have refrained from violence and maintained social stability throughout the ongoing war. Hundreds attended, including politicians, leaders in local municipalities, NGOs, journalists, and government officials, all of whom were among the speakers and participants in the discussions. “We are living in dark moments. But from these moments, an inspiring layer of civil leadership is emerging,” said Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella.

Racist chants surge by 71% in Israeli soccer stadiums amid ongoing war

Matan Segal, director of Givat Haviva’s "Kicking Racism and Violence Out of Soccer" program linked the rise in racist incidents to the country's ongoing war and criticized what he described as weak enforcement. "The data reflects the war's impact on racist discourse in Israel, which is seeping into the stadiums," Segal told Ynet News. "It's disappointing to see the authorities' continued inaction. Instead of solely blaming fans, we need to recognize that most supporters are there for the love of the game and start addressing the root causes with comprehensive solutions.”

Friends of Givat Haviva Seeks to Improve Arab Jewish Relations

In an extensive interview with the Cleveland Jewish News, Friends of Givat Haviva Chair David Heller said American Jews have a responsibility “to deepen and expand our knowledge of Israel society…and to find ways to join with groups in civil society that can advance the Jewish-Arab relations in a meaningful way to strengthen Israel’s democracy.” Following the October 7 attack, Givat Haviva has played a key role in maintaining communication between Jewish and Arab communities, addressing growing mistrust through education and leadership programs.