Darkenu: Israel’s largest non-partisan civil society movement

Peaceworks condemns the actions of Hamas and the endless and senseless cycle of violence.
For more than 20 years, our organization has worked tirelessly to elevate and support the many brave Israelis and Palestinians striving to build a different reality for their societies. Your support today will be directed to humanitarian efforts in Israel.

Recent Updates

As we navigate these critical times, Darkenu remains committed to fostering dialogue, shaping policies, and championing a vision of Israel that upholds democratic values and ensures the well-being of its citizens. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Darkenu's Empty Shabbat Table, a project to keep keep the hostage crisis top of mind, has gained global recognition. It symbolizes the emptiness each family shares, when on the most communal day, families all over the country gather each Friday for dinner, no matter their religion. This is a special moment, a shared experience ruined by Hamas actions for hundreds of families. The vastness of the table, with empty chairs for adults and babies, materializes the despair and longing each family feels when sitting at its own table. The table has been replicated around the world including in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and more.

Darkenu also has taken a lead role in coordinating humanitarian efforts through our volunteer-operated command and control unit, Hamal. Serving as a vital nexus, Hamal seamlessly connects volunteers and donors with communities in need. To date, Hamal has effectively coordinated humanitarian efforts, connecting volunteers and donors to address over 160 requests for assistance from communities in need.

Darkenu supports grassroots efforts to bring a variety of practical supplies such as clothing, charging stations, coffee, and hope to soldiers in the field and Israeli’s displaced by the war

Emergency Humanitarian Work

Darkenu is poised to return to its roots, advocating for a secure and democratic Israel post-war. This involves spearheading initiatives such as:

  • A call for accountability for the events of October 7, with efforts towards establishing a state commission of inquiry. Initial efforts have begun by Darkenu, led by Gaza Envelope citizens, bereaved families and others.

  • Acknowledging Israel’s failure to manage the conflict with Palestinians and the promotion of a nuanced approach to security, which emphasizes peace alongside military strength. Darkenu, in collaboration with other organizations and movements, will launch “Guarding Our Borders”, a campaign reevaluating Israel’s security doctrine.

Israel After the War

Founded by Darkenu in 2020, DemocraTV (DTV) is a leading independent video media outlet in Israel. Operating with a team of 20 professionals and a $1.2 million annual budget from Rishon LeZion, DTV delivers 13-18 hours of unbiased content weekly to 6,000 subscribers on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Now with translations in Arabic and English, DTV aims to expand its impact, facilitating in-depth discussions on democracy, peace, Palestinian rights, civil liberties, religion and state, and current affairs. Looking ahead to 2024, DTV will launch a Smart TV app, positioning itself in the competitive market with a campaign promoting democratic discourse and Darkenu's moderate voice.

DemocraTV (DTV):

Darkenu is the largest non-partisan civil society movement in Israel. With 400,000 active supporters, Darkenu organizes, amplifies, and empowers the moderate majority of Israelis to exert influence on government policy and on the public discourse, ensuring Israel acts in line with the wishes of citizens, the principles of democracy, and remains grounded in a foundation of mutual respect and responsibility. One of Darkenu's most impactful initiatives is DemocraTV, a collaborative and independent media network that aims to elevate the voices of the moderate majority in Israel. Launched during the height of the pandemic in 2020, it is majority-funded by Israeli members who make a small monthly donation. Each member, no matter how much they contribute, can vote on what gets covered, vote on who gets interviewed, and meet regularly with the show’s producers.