Israeli-Palestinian Activists Challenge Political Norms

By Mairav Zonszein, Opinion writer
Written June 16, 2026

On April 4, hundreds of Israelis protested against the war with Iran in Tel Aviv. A defining moment of the day was when Jewish Israeli activist, Alon-Lee Green, shouted against the war, emphasizing its futility as police removed him. Green leads the Standing Together movement alongside Palestinian counterparts Rula Daoud and Sally Abed, focusing on anti-occupation, antiracism, and social justice principles.

Voices like Green, Abed, and Daoud advocate for peace, reconciliation, and recognizing the humanity of Palestinians, both within Israel and the occupied territories. These perspectives remain marginal among Israeli Jews, most of whom support military actions in Iran and Lebanon. The prevailing sentiment among Israelis, whether Jewish or Palestinian, is skepticism toward the feasibility of a two-state solution.

A new political party formed by Israeli and Palestinian activists called A Place for Us All seeks to enter the political dialogue amid upcoming elections in Israel. Despite its unlikely chance to win enough votes to compete, the party signifies a bold and necessary voice in politics.

Arab-Jewish parties in Israel face significant challenges in gaining political traction. While Hadash, founded in 1977, remains the only consistent Arab-Jewish party advocating for peace and a two-state solution, most members and supporters are Palestinian citizens rather than Israeli Jews. Da’am, established in 1995 with emphasis on workers’ rights and welfare, has yet to secure a Knesset seat.

A Place for Us All arises from grass-roots Jewish-Palestinian activism, grounded in real-world experiences rather than abstract policies. The activists involved share friendships built on mutual understanding and witness each other’s struggles, pains, and aspirations. Their existence challenges the conventional notion that Palestinians should only vote for Palestinian parties and Jews for Jewish parties, regardless of broader issues impacting society.