When the government does all it can to silence us – this means we’re successful!
It means we manage to challenge the narrative promoted by the establishment.
It means we raise the awareness of alternative worldviews.
Now more than ever – we need your support!
We must inform you that over the past few days, Israel Social TV has been subject to an orchestrated attack by Communications Minister Ayoob Kara, Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and Director of National-Civilian Service Administration Sar-Shalom Jerbi. This attack is fueled by right-wing organizations such as Im Tirtzu and Bezalmo and promoted by right-wing media organizations such as Israel Hayom, Channel 20 and others. They are trying to weaken us by preventing us from employing civilian service volunteers and revoking the annual grant we receive from the Ministry of Communications as a community media organization broadcast on Channel 98 in cable and satellite TV.
Now more than ever – we need public support. We must strengthen our financial basis thanks to you viewers. Denying us five civil service volunteers and Kara’s announcement on revoking the annual 150,000-NIS grant require us to engage in a legal and public struggle, as well as to develop independent financial resources that will enable us to overcome the present crisis – this is why we need your support!
Israel Social TV provides a platform for silenced voices in society
Israel Social TV has never promised to be “nice” to the government, nor to court popular opinion. Every week, we air critical reports – on myths prevalent in Israeli society about the Bedouins, lethal and indifferent injuring of animals, assaults on women and helpless individuals, insensitivity to people with disabilities, ignoring the lessons of the Holocaust by persecuting asylum seekers and selling weapons to dictatorships, ignorance of the meaning of the Green Line, and challenging the so-called “peace camp” with regard to the Nakba, its implications and one- or two-states solutions. Beyond specific issues, our mission is to provide a platform for voices and worldviews that have nowhere to be heard, that are almost never voiced without being interpreted or rather silenced by studio commentators. They include asylum seekers, Palestinians, Jews from Ethiopia, people in poverty, anti-occupation activists, LGBTs, ultra-Orthodox and Mizrahi Jews. And, yes, they also include those critical of government and military policies and therefore refuse to join the army, and those who believe that international pressure on Israel is commendable, and certainly preferable to terrorism. If you also believe those voices must be heard – support us!
The attack on Israel Social TV is a direct attack against freedom of speech that we all must oppose
Israel Social TV has been active for twelve years. It is one of the most experienced independent media organizations in Israel. Many news stories and issues reported in mainstream media have first been exposed in our channel. Researchers, media professionals and directors regularly follow up on our broadcasts for ideas and inspirations (all contents we produce are available to the public and may be reused freely). Teachers and professors direct students to our website for educational purposes. Every month, we are contacted by scholarship students from Israel and abroad, requesting to benefit from our knowledge and join our social activism. At least 20 civil service volunteers have worked in Israel Social TV, contributed immensely to our activities, and – most importantly – have been exposed to social struggles and political issues of which they had never been aware. Our unique combination of social activism, contact with diverse population and exposure to critical thought have turned them into better, more aware, more sensitive and obviously more involved citizens. If you also think that it is inappropriate to deny Israel Social TV the same civil service volunteers available to dozens of rightwing NGOs – support us!
You, the viewers, have attested to our success in a recent survey report
A public survey recently conducted among internet users speaks for itself: 78% of respondents find our reports interesting, 56% find them innovating, and 45% find them motivating for activism. Moreover, 57% of respondents state that our reports encourage them to consume media contents more critically. Finally, 80% believe that it is “important” or “highly important” to provide a platform to interviews conducted by Israel Social TV with conscientious objectors.
We thank you for your support,
Israel Social TV staff
