NIF Australia Condemns Jerusalem Day Violence

15 May 2026

NIF Australia strongly condemns the ongoing violence and expressions of extreme Jewish nationalism that has occurred today, on Jerusalem Day.  

This year, as in years past, Israeli nationalist marchers moved through the streets of Jerusalem violently attacking innocent residents of the Old City, chanting incitement, intimidating Palestinian residents, and celebrating a vision of Israel built on fear, domination and expulsion.

Again led by Minister Ben Gvir, who continues to defy the established religious norms that maintain calm in the holy city, and that have been in place for decades.  His presence on the Temple Mount (the site of the Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques) earlier in the day with an Israeli flag was designed to incite hatred and intimidate religious muslims simply wanting to pray.

But NIF and its grantees were there to show the other Israel that respects cultures and promotes coexistence.

The Israel we know and love was visible this Jerusalem Day too. In the Orthodox paramedics who formed a human shield around a Palestinian woman in labour as teenagers chanted "may your village burn." With Standing Together activists who responded rapidly, providing physical protection by putting their bodies in between the marchers and Palestinian residents. In Tag Meir’s Jerusalem Day countermarch, where activists walked through Jerusalem handing out flowers to reclaim peace and safety for the city.

That their intervention was necessary at all is a damning indictment of what has been allowed to take root. That they chose to put themselves in harm's way and protect Palestinian residents of the Old City is a testament to the conscience that still lives within Israeli society.

But courage on the ground cannot substitute for accountability at the top.

While Israel is governed by ministers who have actively encouraged and emboldened these movements, this cycle will not end. While Israeli mainstream media continues to minimise or ignore these outbreaks of nationalist violence, impunity will grow.

True support for Israel means standing against those who would destroy the country we believe in from within.

New Israel Fund Australia is at the forefront of this work, funding organisations fighting not only the immediate crises, but the deeper roots of this violence. We support work unpicking the systems and narratives that have normalised racism and dehumanisation in Israeli society. Through Hand-in-Hand schools that bring Jewish and Palestinian children together; FeelBeit’s Jerusalem centre that uses art to bridge divides; and Tzedek Centres, which empower Israelis and Palestinians to combat political hopelessness by building coalitions and running for election.

This work is essential if Israel is to have a democratic future worth defending.

We call on all defenders of democracy, peace and justice to join us in this work. To understand that loving Israel means holding this Israeli government accountable. To recognise that the only path forward runs through the brave Israelis and Palestinians fighting together for a better future.