Emerging Political Movement Strives for Unity in Israel

In Tel Aviv on April 4, hundreds gathered to protest the ongoing conflict with Iran. Among the demonstrators stood Alon-Lee Green, a prominent activist. As police detained him, he declared the conflict a ‘futile war.’

Green is a leading figure in Standing Together, a grassroots initiative he co-leads with Palestinian counterparts Rula Daoud and Sally Abed. This movement, formed in 2015, unites young Jewish and Palestinian Israelis under principles of anti-occupation, antiracism, and social justice.

The perspectives of Green, Abed, and Daoud, which advocate for peace, reconciliation, and recognizing Palestinian humanity both within Israel and in occupied territories, are seldom expressed within mainstream Jewish Israeli society. Many Jewish Israelis endorse the conflicts with Iran and Lebanon, and the majority are skeptical about the feasibility of a two-state solution.

Ahead of crucial elections in Israel this fall, a joint Israeli-Palestinian political party, A Place for Us All, has emerged. Led by the Standing Together leaders, this party may not secure enough votes to participate in the election. Nevertheless, it represents a vital, defiant voice in Israeli politics.

Historically, Arab-Jewish parties have struggled to establish themselves in Israeli politics. There have been parties with mixed Jewish and Arab representation, yet these remain rare. Since 1977, the only enduring Arab-Jewish political entity is Hadash, advocating for an end to the Israeli occupation and a two-state solution. Its support mainly comes from Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Another party, Da’am, emerged in 1995. Focused on workers’ rights and establishing a welfare state, it has never secured representation in the Knesset.

A Place for Us All originated from grassroots Jewish-Palestinian activism. It builds on shared experiences of young Palestinians and Jewish Israelis, who support one another’s pain and aspirations. The party challenges the norm that Palestinians should support Palestinian parties while Jews support Jewish parties, irrespective of their stances on critical issues.