We work with governmental and non-governmental organisations to promote equality and positive relationships between the different communities that make up Israeli society.

We support social change by enabling groups in Israel to benefit from the UK’s rich international experience in the area of community relations and diversity.

Equality Commissions

We continue to support to the new Israeli Equality Commission for the Workplace that was set up in November 2007 and is headed by Advocate Tziona Koenig-Yair. We share UK models for promoting inclusion and equal opportunities regardless of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious belief or political opinion, sex (including pregnancy & pay), age, married status, sexual orientation or disability.

For more information on Equality Commissions in the UK:

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Living Together

The Living Together project brought together diverse groups from around Europe and Israel to increase awareness of the global debate surrounding intercultural dialogue and to build trust and understanding across increasingly diverse societies. Living Together addressed the issues faced by minority and migrant communities to promote the benefits of diversity in society. Living Together ran for three years, ending in 2009. The project had a number of different strands to promote dialogue and challenge preconceptions

			a photography competition on the theme of intercultural dialogue
			a youth congress in Poland for young leaders committed to making a positive change in their own communities
			a community volunteering project in partnership with counterparts in Azerbaijan
			digital storytelling workshops with participants creating short films to challenge stereotypes surrounding their communities. Samples of the short films will be available shortly.

Promoting Equality between Jews and Arabs in Israel

The British Council has been working with The Abraham Fund Initiatives to promote equality between Jews and Arabs in Israel. In December 2008, we organised a study tour to the UK for Israel’s Public Committee for Co-existence Education. Members of the committee visited London to learn about UK policy on diversity and citizenship education. The visit has made a significant contribution to the committee’s recommendations for a co-existence education policy in Israel. The committee comprises Ministry representatives, key civil society actors and academics.

In January 2008, we hosted Mr. Drew Haire, Head of the Community Relations Unit at the Office of the First Minister in Northern Ireland, who presented Northern Ireland government’s model for inclusion and equality between Catholics and Protestants at the Herzeliya Conference.

In 2007, commanders from the Israeli Police Force travelled to Northern Ireland to meet with representatives of the Police Service in Northern Ireland and other organisations, to share experience and models for building confidence between the police and the community, focussing on working across communities in conflict. The visit took place as part of the Abraham Fund’s Police Community Initiative and was an integral part of the Israeli Police Chief Commanders Course.