Israel is a Leader In Social Impact & Innovation

"We worked around the clock at the height of the crisis, constantly monitoring and pushing in order to ensure that the decision-making centers hear diverse voices. It became clear very quickly that while ‘more diverse’ means ‘more professional’ in normal times, in an emergency situation ‘more diverse’ means saving lives – no less..."

Read More From Mor Barazani

"During the Corona virus crisis, the working conditions of numerous employees from vulnerable populations were negatively affected and some were even dismissed; complaints were filed on grounds of discrimination that included place of residence, religion, nationality, age and gender... The Commission continues to provide legal solutions in these and other cases that have subsequently arisen, in order to protect lawful rights."

Read More From Mariam Kabaha

"During the coronavirus crisis we saw racism-based complaints increase three-fold: 255 complaints from March 15 to May 12, as compared with 83 complaints during a similar period last year. One of the complaints the Anti-Racism Unit received was against a district court employee who wrote in the WhatsApp group of his work place: "How is it that this nigger is considered a vital worker and you aren't?" Subsequently, the Civil Service Commission launched an examination; court administration disciplinary authorities are also handling the matter."

Read More From Aweke Kobi Zena

"Just prior to the COVID-19 crisis I co-founded GITA – the Global Impact Tech Alliance, a new organization aiming to be the home for impact-tech practitioners around the world. We had plans for events and community building which were all moved online. Luckily, there is a very big interest in this topic and we managed to hold several online events, build the community as well as launch GITA Germany – the first of many GITA chapters around the worls."

Read More From Cecile Blilious

"The immediate impact of the corona lockdown on the Arab-owned startups was a recalculation of the runway and re-examination of assumptions about customers, sales cycle, revenues and burn rate. Our mission is to support them in preserving achievements and at the same time to look for the "new normal" opportunities and needs in different markets. In addition, as part of our efforts we support them and help them apply for various Government assistance opportunities, grants and incentives to make this period smoother and easier."

Read More From Fadi Swidan

"I've always viewed Digital Israel as a social initiative using digital means to reduce socio-economic gaps, boost economic growth and make government faster and smarter. The harsh reality of the COVID-19 crisis particularly strengthened my belief that digital can mitigate some of the hardships that have hit our country...."

Read More From Shai-Lee Spigelman

"My first task following the outbreak of the pandemic was to make sure that the essential services under my responsibility would remain open. Services such as those for domestic violence and sexual assault, youth dormitories and frameworks that existed for children at risk were already defined in the first emergency regulations as ones that need to remain functioning."

Read More From Iris Florentin

"Our goal is to ensure better integration into the labor market of all sectors of the Israeli population that are at a distance from entry into the mainstream of that market. So clearly, the coronavirus crisis has definitely complicated our activities; our target populations were regrettably the first to be pushed out of the work force, and unfortunately will probably be the last to reintegrate..."

Read More From Yulia Eitan

"Recognizing the magnitude of the crisis and its potential damage to Israeli society, the National Insurance Funds quickly issued a special call to civil society organizations for proposals to support relevant social projects at a sum of up to NIS 100,000 per project. In view of the robust activities of our NGOs, we received more than 1,140 proposals as a result..."

Read More From Itzik Sabato

"The COVID-19 crisis posed a significant challenge to the Commission's goal of preventing discrimination and promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Israel. The obstacles were truly overwhelming: the virus itself, policy changes, social distancing guidelines, lock downs and the financial crisis all had a negative impact on the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. We had to take multiple actions to protect equality and make sure that the mechanisms put in place to protect equal rights were not being eroded..."

Read More From Avremi Torem

"I was privileged to serve in a senior position on the COVID-19 Emergency Response Team of the Ministry of Health, which led Israel's national effort in defeating the coronavirus within our borders. For all of us it was a 24/7 effort, exhausting but satisfying – especially now, as we cautiously return to some form of normalcy...."

Read More From Dr. Asher Salmon