Dear friends,

There’s no way to sugarcoat this: the view from Jerusalem is frightening. 
The new Israeli government now being formed places dangerous extremists in key ministries. We can expect even harsher policies toward the Palestinians: more violence and repression; an increase in arbitrary detentions, home demolitions and other collective punishments.  

We anticipate that more individuals and families will need our help and HaMoked must be able to provide a speedy response – and also to mount principled legal challenges to new policies that violate Palestinians’ human rights. 
 
At the same time, we ourselves face unprecedented threats: soon-to-be appointed Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has said the new government will “take care of traitors”, and we know for him that includes those who defend Palestinians. Prospective Minister within the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich has explicitly said human rights organizations should be treated as an existential threat. 

It is easy to despair. But I want to offer a better response to this dismal reality: support HaMoked. 

Every year, HaMoked assists some 5,000 Palestinians and their families who have been harmed by the occupation, and despite the hostile climate and all the legal and bureaucratic obstacles, we are succeeding: locating family members in detention; keeping people in their homes; enabling Palestinians to move freely; and defending prisoners’ rights.  

These people depend on us, and no matter what happens next, we at HaMoked are determined to keep on, day in and day out, offering concrete assistance and defending Palestinians’ human rights.

We couldn't do this work without the support of institutions and individuals, both in Israel and around the world, who share our commitment to universal human rights. I thank those of you who have already donated this year. Of course there is still time to make a U.S. tax-deductible, end-of-year donation to HaMoked.

I wish a happy Hannukah to those celebrating this week, a Merry Christmas to those celebrating next week - and a new year of good health and prosperity to all.

Yours,

Jessica Montell
Executive Director of HaMoked