Policy | Activism | Resources | Media
This past month was marked by rising regional tensions and a sense of heavy uncertainty. Yet in the midst of anxiety, we at Darkenu continue to push forward—with purpose, with values, and with a deep belief that a different Middle East is still possible.
Policy & Strategic Affairs
⚔️ A Region on the Brink — and a Battle of Ideas
June 15
As the confrontation with Iran escalates, Darkenu published a comprehensive position paper distributed to ten opposition Knesset Members, members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and other leading figures in the security establishment.
The paper strikes a clear chord: Israel’s military was prepared. Diplomatically, it was not.
We argued that the failure to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages before opening a northern front weakened Israel’s strategic standing and isolated it on the world stage. We highlighted how the government missed critical opportunities to build an alliance with moderate Sunni states and to equitably share the burden of war by conscripting the ultra-Orthodox population.
Our core message: This war may be necessary, but it was preventable. Strategic blindness should not become national destiny.
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June 15
We reinforced these messages in a new episode of our podcast “Beyond Understanding,” created with the support of generative AI. The episode, titled “Fighting Without Finishing”, breaks down the Iran-Israel conflict for the broader public and echoes the same strategic critique: military readiness must be matched by diplomatic foresight.
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🇫🇷 A European Window into the Region
June 12–14
Deputy Director for Policy Guy Etgar participated in a civil society summit in Paris, initially set to align with the now-cancelled French-Saudi regional diplomacy summit in New York. While the summit was scuttled by the Iran-Israel war, our voice was heard.
Darkenu submitted a position paper advocating for Israel’s engagement in the French-Saudi initiative, which seeks to anchor regional stability. We argued that Israel must not watch from the sidelines. If we are to emerge from this war into a new Middle East, it will only be through bold diplomatic engagement.
Etgar also served on a working group for European regional diplomacy funding and gave media interviews in France about Darkenu’s policy on Palestinian recognition, Israeli security, and our wider strategic goals.
📄 Read the French-Saudi briefing paper
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📜 National Security is Also Diplomacy
June 11
The Knesset passed the new National Security Strategy Law, requiring each incoming government to publish a strategic doctrine within 150 days.
Darkenu worked behind the scenes for months, shaping this law. In committee, we insisted that diplomacy be enshrined as a national security pillar—not an afterthought. Our recommendations were accepted and embedded in the final bill, a quiet but meaningful victory for liberal realism in Israeli defense policy.
Related Facebook Post »
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🛡️ Civil Society Under Threat
June 4
A covert session of the Knesset Constitution Committee discussed the controversial “NGO Law”, which would impose an 80% tax on organizations funded by foreign governments—crippling Israeli civil society and possibly triggering diplomatic retaliation.
We filed a formal request to bring the Diaspora Affairs Ministry into the conversation, highlighting the paradox: the same government advancing this bill funds Jewish organizations abroad, with 577 million NIS allocated for public diplomacy and diaspora support. That’s what’s now at stake.
Our position paper exposed the contradictions, and we briefed opposition MKs. Since then, the bill has stalled—a sign that our early warning was heard.
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🗳️ Democracy Is Worth Fighting For
May 29
Darkenu participated in the “Democratic Israel Will Prevail” conference hosted by the Berl Katznelson Center, reinforcing our presence in pro-democracy coalitions as we head into what may be a decisive political year.
Field & Activism
📱 Nano Influencer Network – Shaping the Digital Conversation
Our Nano Influencer Program officially launched with its first 50 content creators. These are not celebrities—they’re everyday Israelis using their voices to make social media more democratic, more thoughtful, and more values-driven.
The course trains creators in content framing, message discipline, and responding to disinformation, all while aligning with our broader narrative of hope, moderation, and liberal patriotism.
The program is supported by the Israeli fund “The New Generation”, who promotes liberal-moderate discourse.
Media & Messaging: Democrat-TV
In a time of fog and fire, Democrat-TV continues to be the liberal camp’s clearest voice—producing bold, sharp, and values-driven content at scale.
We reached over 8 million impressions in the first half of 2025, proving again that there is a massive public appetite for fact-based, hopeful, and courageous journalism.
🎥 New Series: “To Bring Them Home” – The Struggle for Ethiopian Aliyah
June marked the completion of a new flagship documentary series about the decades-long battle to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel. The series, produced with the support of UJA, tells the story not only of immigration—but of belonging, justice, and unfinished promises.
The launch campaign will continue into July with public screenings and social media engagement.
📺 June Editorial Highlights
- The State of Arab Citizens During Wartime
A powerful segment focused on the harsh reality of unrecognized Bedouin communities in the Negev—who, to this day, lack bomb shelters and basic infrastructure. The segment humanized a population often ignored by mainstream media and highlighted the state’s responsibility in times of crisis. - The Messianic Right and the Shin Bet
A mini-series analyzing the messianic-nationalist response to the appointment of the new Shabak chief, exploring how ideology is shaping their perception of the war, the government, and internal enemies. - Religious Peace and the Two-State Solution
A unique panel and explainer video discussing how a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict might emerge not despite religion, but because of religious mutual recognition and spiritual leadership. - The Civic Price of War & the Draft Law Crisis
Reporting on how the prolonged war has eroded Israel’s home front—from economic burdens to the emotional toll on reservists and their families. Special attention was given to the ongoing battle over ultra-Orthodox enlistment, with voices from across the political spectrum. - Samekh Zukut’s Op-Ed: “The Rise of the Hill Boys”
In a searing editorial, our anchor Samekh Zukut dissected how radical settler youth—once fringe “hilltop boys”—have become central actors in the current coalition, and how their rise signals a deeper crisis of governance and values. - In-Depth with Dan Meridor
A must-watch interview with former Likud minister Dan Meridor, who spoke openly about the erosion of liberal conservatism, the future of the right, and the need for a new strategic vision. - 🎙️“Smol-Talk” Hits 2,000 Downloads
Our video podcast led by Emily Amrousi, a former settler and sharp critic of the old left, continues to push boundaries. Now in its 9th episode, Smol-Talk confronts the left’s ideas, contradictions, and dreams—from within. - Yariv Oppenheimer on the Regional Deal
A series of op-eds by Yariv Oppenheimer explored the promise—and political risk—of a regional agreement, emphasizing why now is the time to think bigger than narrow political gains. - The Dangerous Green Light for Settlements Expansion
A special report with security and legal experts examining the approval of new settlement construction, and how this move imperils both Israel’s democratic future and the viability of any two-state solution. - Protests, Live Streams, and Civil Resistance
Democrat-TV continues to cover the frontlines of protest, with real-time live streams, interviews, and activist-produced content documenting the democratic pushback against extremism.
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As Israel battles on multiple fronts, our voice must remain loud, clear, and unflinching. Democrat-TV is not just a media channel—it is the cultural and strategic amplifier of Darkenu’s mission: to defend democracy, promote peace, and remind the public that liberal values are not a luxury—they are our way forward.
Resources, Data, and Campaign Readiness
🧑⚖️ Accountability at the Top
We launched a petition demanding that the Attorney General declare Prime Minister Netanyahu temporarily incapacitated (ne’evzarut) due to his ongoing legal entanglements and conflicts of interest.
Over 4,000 Israelis signed in the first days.
This campaign is as much about values as it is about legal tools. At its heart lies the belief that no one is above the law.
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📞 Mobilizing for Elections
As part of our early election prep, we initiated outreach to 1,000 core supporters, recruiting for our Deep Canvassing project and field operations. These efforts lay the foundation for our volunteer mobilization machine ahead of a possible 2026 vote.
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🧠 Ongoing Work Behind the Scenes
- Research and scripting for Podcast Ep. 8 on the Shin Bet shakeup and the Qatar affair
- Strategic planning for turnout-driving activities in the next elections
- Finished restructuring our Salesforce
Final Thoughts
These are not normal times. Israelis live under constant sirens—both literal and metaphorical. The war with Iran looms large, while Gaza’s wounds remain unhealed. And yet, despite everything, we believe that this darkness is not the end of the story.
We fight not only to resist collapse—but to build a better future: a democratic, secure, and regional Middle East.
We don’t just dream of a new dawn. We plan for it.
– Nimrod Dweck, CEO & Co-Founder, Darkenu
