Civil Society

Why Civil Society Leaders?

The grassroots bottom-up approach is central in Musalaha’s strategy of reconciliation. Civil Society Leaders are one of the most important and effective segments of any society. Civil Society Leaders are distinct from government and business segments of society, they range from any non-government organization and institution, to any gathering of people that are not dependent on government. Civil society is essential in promoting and advocating for reconciliation, justice, democracy, and Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB). For these reasons, Musalaha works with and has established different groups based on personal and professional interests.

Musalaha runs three Civil Society Leaders programs:

Palestinian-Israeli Civil Society Leaders (Forb) Program:

The Civil Society Project is a five-year initiative engaging Palestinian and Israeli civil society leaders committed to building relationships that lead to nonviolent co-resistance against hateful attitudes, supremacist narratives, and structural violence. Grounded in the belief that reconciliation has the power to liberate from occupation, redeem from racism, and heal from personal and collective trauma, this project will work with three cohorts of experienced participants. These leaders—activists and justice seekers already active in reconciliation efforts—will collaborate to create co-resistance initiatives and form a growing network dedicated to equality, justice, and human rights for all. The program begins with a pre-desert meeting and a transformative encounter in Wadi Rum, Jordan, followed by a series of workshops, trainings, advocacy development, and media engagement, including citizen journalism. This is a movement for change led by those ready to do the internal and societal work needed to build a just future.

Muslim-Christian Civil Society Leaders:

The 20-month Muslim–Christian Civil Society Leaders Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) program, based in the Bethlehem area, begins with a five-day desert encounter dedicated to building trust and relationships. Participants then engage in five reconciliation workshops exploring interreligious conflict, historical narratives, power dynamics, identity, and local FoRB violations, complemented by visits to significant religious sites. The program culminates in a joint advocacy initiative aimed at promoting FoRB and advancing positive change within the community.

Lydd-Ramle Program:

The Lydd-Ramla Project is a multi-year initiative that brings together Palestinian and Israeli participants from Ramla and Lydd to build trust, mutual recognition, and grassroots collaboration across divided communities. Grounded in the conviction that healing divisions within mixed cities is essential for a just and shared society, the project convenes a diverse group of residents—lawyers, educators, civil servants, volunteers, community activists, and people of all faiths—who engage in interfaith reconciliation processes while navigating the realities of everyday life.

Through desert encounters, workshops, dialogue circles, and joint cultural activities, participants examine identity, belonging, and collective memory, and develop practical tools to confront inequality, polarization, and violence. The program offers a safe, sustained environment for building long-term relationships and working together on community initiatives that strengthen resilience, advance equality, and promote reconciliation.

Beyond individual transformation, the initiative aims to spark broader change in Ramla and Lydd by empowering local leaders and community members to create shared spaces, foster empathy, and model a more equitable and hopeful future for mixed cities in Israel.