Standing ovation for Palestinian feminist activist at NIF awards dinner

There was a subdued atmosphere in the room at the start of the annual New Israel Fund Human Rights Awards dinner, hosted for the first time since the pandemic closed off big events.

The election in Israel of a new, even more right-wing Netanyahu government, was certainly food for thought for the 400-strong crowd who gathered at The Brewery in the Barbican on Sunday night.

‘I am sure, like me, many of you are a little concerned about the return of Benjamin Netanyahu and perhaps, even more so, his embrace of the violence and incitement reflected in his choice of coalition partners,’ said CEO David Davidi-Brown. ‘But with your support I am confident that we can help Israelis fight back against extremism. They have not given up and we must be by their side.’

There were two award winners on the night and both fight against that extremism. Palestinian feminist activist Nabilia Espanioly who has helped push for early childhood education within Israeli Arab society, allowing the women to work, was the first to pick up and award and received a standing ovation.

She was followed by two representative of the Jewish and Arab organisation Ir Amin which supports Palestinian families living in East Jerusalem. The organisation, which takes it fight for equal rights for Jerusalem Palestinians to the court room and law makers, was represented by CEO Yudith Oppenheimer and researcher Zakaria Abu Alhawah.

The evening raised more than £500,000 for the charity which also funds charities fighting against domestic abuse and for better education.