Israel is plunging rapidly toward an undemocratic future. That's now an open secret. Democratic values of equality, justice,
rights - are attacked daily by both the powers that be and by anti-democratic
movements.
We are taking action based on our fear that if we don't make
our voices heard; if we don't protest and wage our struggle now - tomorrow might
be too late. We are taking action
because we believe that democracy will emerge victorious.
We - activists from a variety of parties, organizations and
movements, with a variety of political outlooks - have decided to unite in this
struggle for democracy. If the character
of Israeli society is important to you - please join our struggle!
The dire words of warning we are hearing from the leaders of
"The Democratic Camp" in Israel - a coalition of political parties, public
organizations and grassroots movements to defend democracy - are neither
hyperbole, nor rhetorical flourish. The
situation is grave. Israeli democracy is
at a watershed moment.
(a compilation of urgent
messages issued this week by Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz)
Dear Friends,
Our home is in flames.
They won't relent, and they won't slow down. They're already preparing their next
steps. It's only going to intensify.
The current Knesset is marked by a terrifying mix of religious coercion
and nationalist extremism.
And the most frightening change is the complete loss of shame.
The members of this hardhearted coalition and their helpers are no
longer even trying to cover their fist in a thin glove of decency - even if
just for the sake of appearance. They
admit, and some even boast, that their legislation is discriminatory, seeping
with racism, and inimical to the values of equality and social justice.
For 2010 we wanted to make a David Letterman style "Top Ten" list of the most important events of 2010 in Israel. Coming up with this list was harder than anticipated. We didn't want to be overly negative and only call attention to the stories and events that disappointed, discouraged or shamed us. But we also didn't want to be too shiny and happy and only mention the good news either. So, with the sincerest of efforts to both call truth to power and to keep on the sunny side, we present you with two top five lists: the events in Israel that caused us both shame and pride in 2010.
New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz has presented a new bill that would amend the "Holy Places Law" and allow for tolerance and pluralism at the Kotel, the Western Wall, among all streams of Jewish practice.
In response to a court petition by the Israeli NGO, Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, the government of Israel has for the first time admitted that it has specific written guidelines for its Gaza Strip blockade which outline which goods it will, and which it will not, allow into Gaza, and in what quantities.
Last week, Kadima MK Yulia Shamalov Berkovich introduced an urgent motion to the Knesset plenum, accusing "organizations supported by the New Israel Fund" of, "treasonous behavior", "involvement in subversive activity against ... officers in the Israel Defense Forces," and, "making common cause with our greatest enemies to realize their goal - the obliteration of Zionism". The Kadima MK compared the NIF to the Nazis ("we won't go like sheep to the slaughter").
Knesset members from the Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, National Union, and United Torah Judaism parties joined the ominous chorus.
New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz rose to an impassioned defense of the New Israel Fund. Comparing the Knesset members' attacks to a "witch hunt", he said:
el - a coalition of political parties, public
organizations and grassroots movements to defend democracy - are neither
hyperbole, nor rhetorical flourish. The
situation is grave. Israeli democracy is
at a watershed moment. 
Dear Friends,
For 2010 we wanted to make a David Letterman style "Top Ten" list of the most important events of 2010 in Israel. Coming up with this list was harder than anticipated. We didn't want to be overly negative and only call attention to the stories and events that disappointed, discouraged or shamed us. But we also didn't want to be too shiny and happy and only mention the good news either. So, with the sincerest of efforts to both call truth to power and to keep on the sunny side, we present you with two top five lists: the events in Israel that caused us both shame and pride in 2010.
Read the statement signed by hundreds of Israeli public figures, including Shulamit Aloni, Zehava Galon, Yoram Kaniuk, Ran Cohen and others. 
New Movement-Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz has presented a new bill that would amend the "
