The New Israel Fund brought speakers from the grassroots organisation, Standing Together to the Australian National University on Tuesday 19 November 2024. The event was hosted by the College of Arts and Social Sciences, Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry.

The evening highlighted the critical work of the progressive social movement uniting Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel to combat occupation, foster equality, and advocate for peace and social justice.

Standing Together’s leaders, Dr Shahd Bishara (Doctor of Medicine, Semmelweis University) and Mr Nadav Shofest took part in a robust discussion with foreign affairs and defense journalist, Daniel Hurst. This was followed by a dynamic Q&A session with the audience, offering a platform for in-depth exploration of the challenges and opportunities in grassroots activism.

Dr Bishara, a Palestinian Arab citizen of Israel, shared her powerful perspective on addressing the ongoing violence and the humanitarian crises in Gaza, emphasising the importance of dialogue and trust-building to end the cycle of conflict. Meanwhile, Mr Shofest detailed the complexities of organising protests and campaigns, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire, hostage release, and an end to the escalating conflict.

The discussion shed light on the transformative potential of grassroots activism in bridging divides and building a future grounded in equality and coexistence. Attendees gained valuable insights into the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the tireless efforts of organisations like Standing Together to foster peace and social justice through collective action and community mobilisation.

The New Israel Fund Australia is a progressive organisation, rooted in the Australian Jewish community, which works to support human rights and civil rights organisations in Israel. This event was part of a speaking tour held across Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.