Campaigning for Arabic in Public Spaces

Following a tireless campaign by NIF grantee Sikkuy – The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality, Ben Gurion Airport finally adds a “Welcome to Israel” sign in Arabic in addition to other Arabic signs.

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Combatting Gender Discrimination in the Skies

NIF grantee Israel Religious Action Center is suing EasyJet on behalf of a woman who was asked to move seats on her flight due to her gender.

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American Student Finally Granted Entry to Study in Israel

22-year-old graduate student Lara Alqasem was held at Ben Gurion airport for more than two weeks before she was allowed to join her classmates at Hebrew University.

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NIF CEO Sokatch On Lara Alqasem Ruling: “Victory For Democracy And Academic Freedom”

Today, responding to the news that American student Lara Alqasem will be released from Ben Gurion Airport and allowed to study at Hebrew University, NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch released the following statement. . .

New Israel Fund CEO Sokatch On Detention Of American Student: “Lara Alqasem Should Be In Class Today…Netanyahu Government’s Entry Law Is A Tool For Witch Hunts”

Today, responding to the ongoing detention of Palestinian-American student Lara Alqasem at Ben Gurion Airport and the government’s prevention of Alqasem from commencing her studies at Hebrew University, NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch released the following statement. . .

The American Grad Student Living at Ben Gurion Airport

The more we argue about whether or not Lara Alqasem is a BDS supporter, the more we implicitly concede the point that it is just fine when a liberal democracy denies entry to a person simply because the government doesn’t like her political views.

We will not be stopped at Ben Gurion. We will not stop at all.

There is a context to the detention of an NIF Vice President at Ben Gurion Airport. It’s the years-long effort to demonize Israel’s civil rights sector.