A delegation of leaders from Israel's major NGOs met with Prime Minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, March 15, to discuss the effects of the deteriorating economy on the country's social change movement. "We must find ways to help the disadvantaged who are hurt more by the crisis," Netanyahu told the delegation, which included NIF Israel Executive Director Eliezer Yaari.

"While welcoming Netanyahu's initiative in calling the meeting, I protested that no representatives from the Arab, Ultra-Orthodox and Russian-speaking sectors were invited,” Yaari said. “He accepted this point. I stressed that civil society can be an instrument of reconciliation so that Jews and Arabs can live together in equality. Finally I emphasized that with less donations from Diaspora Jewry, the government must make up the shortfall so that organizations can carry on operating."

Last month the outgoing government approved a package of measures to assist the country’s NGOs following a campaign spearheaded by NIF/SHATIL.  Many of the tax breaks and changes approved were submitted to the government in December as part of the NIF/SHATIL Emergency Plan.