Here's a great new video from the Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football project, a partnership between NIF and the Israel Football Association.

This interview with incoming NIF president -- and NIF Australia's November speaker -- Talia Sasson is part of a larger article entitled "Like Lions They Overcame" on the first two pages of Yediot Achronot's special Yom Kippur supplement, written by leading Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea.

We've reproduced below an English translation of the article.

The New Israel Fund has been working for decades to promote democracy, equality, and justice in Israel. Here's what the children of NIF and SHATIL staff members have to say about it.

Some great news: here are five major developments in the areas of social and economic justice, human rights, religious pluralism, and inclusion, as a result of hard work from NIF and its grantees.

Like all Jews and people of peace around the world, we are deeply relieved at the news of a ceasefire. It is crucial that the cycle of violence in Gaza does not simply recommence. Our hope is that this ceasefire marks the rebirth of negotiations towards a Palestinian state and peace. The human toll in lives lost and damaged does not allow any other outcome.

During this terrible conflict in Gaza, we wait with hope not just for a pause to the immediate hostilities but for a permanent end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to mourn for the civilians and Israeli soldiers who have been killed and fear for those still in the line of fire.

All over the country the situation is tense. In Israel, sirens can be heard from southern Israel to Nahariya. But, even when the rockets are landing all around, Shatil, NIF’s capacity building and advocacy arm, is continuing its important work. Here is an interview with Sultan Abu Abaid, head of the Shatil branch in Beer Sheva, on how the staff are managing to do their work while under fire.

Like us, I’m sure you are hearing the news coming out of Israel with sadness.

Given the military confrontation between Israel and Hamas, which came on the heels of unprecedented incitement and tension between Jewish and Arab Israelis, the New Israel Fund stands ready to fund projects through our Emergency Grant Program

Following our "Israel Refocused" newsletter yesterday, terrible news came through of a further escalation of violence. At this sad moment in the life of Israel, our thoughts have been encapsulated by this letter from NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch.