75 years of
Diversity &
Social Change
Israel is one of the most diverse countries in the world, creating a mosaic of Jewish and non-Jewish cultures. Israeli Jews returned to their homeland from over 70 countries, including Yemen, Morocco, Russia, Syria, Argentina, Poland, Iran, Iraq, Hungary, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, and Algeria. Israel is also home to many non-Jewish minority groups, including Arab Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, Circassians, and others. Despite disagreements and tensions between many of these communities, Israel’s democratic political system and numerous social justice organizations have empowered people from all backgrounds to come together, fight for their rights, and achieve social progress in many different ways.
MILESTONE:
18
Religious Freedom in Jerusalem After 1967
When Jerusalem was under Jordanian rule, Jews and Christians had their religious freedom denied or restricted. After Israel gained control of all the major holy sites in the city in 1967, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan pledged to protect “full religious freedom and rights” for people of all faiths. Israel officially recognizes several distinct religious groups, including Muslim, Druze, Baha’i, Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Maronite communities. Photo by Jamal Awad/Flash90
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
21
LGBTQ+ Community Fights for its Rights
LGBTQ+ Israelis have worked for decades to gain freedom, legal protections, and social acceptance. Their victories include Israel outlawing workplace discrimination in 1992, allowing LGBTQ+ soldiers to serve openly in 1993, granting same-sex couples spousal benefits in 1994 and adoption rights in 2005, and recognizing same-sex marriages performed abroad in 2006.
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
16
The Histadrut
The Histadrut, Israel’s General Federation of Labour, was founded in 1920 and became one of Israel’s most powerful institutions when the state declared independence in 1948. It lobbied for numerous laws to protect workers and remains a very influential labor union federation today.
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
19
Election of Golda Meir
In 1969 Golda Meir became Israel’s first female Prime Minister of Israel and the fourth elected female head of state in the world. Activism for women’s rights and representation in Israel’s political system increased after her years in office.
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
22
Justice Salim Joubran
In 2011, Supreme Court Justice Salim Joubran, an Arab Christian citizen of Israel, convicted former Israeli President Moshe Katsav in a landmark criminal trial. In 2015, Joubran oversaw Israel’s elections as head of the Elections Committee. After retiring in 2017, he became President of the Israel Association of Public Law. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
17
Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum
Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. The Museum opened in 1954, and is located in Jerusalem on the western slope of Mount Herzl in an area named Har haZikaron, meaning 'Mount of Remembrance.' Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
20
Mizrahi Jews Grow Political Power
In the 1970s, frustrations with poor economic conditions, condescending attitudes in Israeli society, and discrimination led Mizrahi Jews to create protest movements like the Israeli Black Panthers. Mizrahi voters also helped Menachem Begin’s Likud party win Israel’s elections for the first time in 1977, ending three decades of political dominance by the mainly Ashkenazi Jewish Labour party.
Diversity and Social Change
MILESTONE:
23
Environmentalism Across Borders
Founded in 1996, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is an academic research center that focuses on regional cooperation. It brings Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians, and international students together to study, protect the environment, and promote peace at a grassroots level. The motto of the Institute is “nature knows no borders.” Photo by Mendy Hechtman/Flash90
