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Dear Friends,
The Ministry of Environmental Protection’s decision to cut all 2025 grants to environmental organizations is a severe blow to Israel’s environmental efforts. Groups combating pollution, industrial risks, and nature loss are being choked of critical support.
At the same time, proposed legislation would impose an 80% tax on donations from foreign countries and strip NGOs of the right to petition the High Court unless state-funded, an intentional effort to silence civil society. Pollution affects everyone, regardless of politics. We all deserve a healthy environment.
In response, we’ve called on organizations, community groups, and individuals to propose actions. Today, the Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environmental Protection Committee convened to discuss the matter. The committee chair expressed clear support for the position of the environmental organizations and urged the Ministry of Environmental Protection to change course and publish this year’s call for proposals. We will continue to advocate vigorously to ensure the committee’s call is heeded and that the grants are ultimately distributed. Together, we’ll build the path forward.
Amid these challenges, our community continues to rise—with resilience, creativity, and collective action. In this newsletter, we’re proud to share how we’re pushing back, building momentum, and celebrating the inspiring work unfolding across the environmental movement in Israel.
🤝 General Assembly Update – May 21st, 2025
On May 21st, we held our annual General Assembly at the beautiful offices of monday.com in Tel Aviv. It was a powerful gathering of organizations, ideas, and shared purpose.
Together, we reflected on how we can continue to grow and strengthen the environmental movement in Israel. We reviewed the full range of services Life & Environment offers its members and held focused sessions to connect organizational needs with current and future opportunities. These sessions also sparked valuable suggestions for new services, reinforcing our commitment to evolve with the movement.
One of the key discussions was a proposal to introduce a two-tier membership model:
Full Members
Associates
The new associate category would allow organizations that are not primarily focused on the environment—but are active on environmental issues (such as workers’ committees, youth movements, universities, etc.)—to join our community. This inclusive model is designed to expand our network and strengthen our collective influence.
We also welcomed seven new organizations into our network—approved by a vote of the Assembly. We’re thrilled to grow together with them.
As always, we believe that our democratic, participatory model is the foundation of a resilient and effective movement.
🌿 Tzamarot Accelerator – Cycle 3 Wrap-Up
At the end of May, we held the closing seminar of the third cycle of the Tzamarot Accelerator. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the journey we've taken, evaluate the program's impact, and gather insights on how to enhance it in future cycles.
The seminar struck a thoughtful balance between hands-on learning—such as roll-up design workshops for the various initiatives—and deeper reflection on the role of the third sector in shaping Israeli society.
We left feeling inspired, energized by the collective momentum, and committed to continuing the peer network of young CEOs from the program as a supportive forum for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
We're proud to share just a few highlights from this cycle’s incredible achievements:
Hazit Habayit (The Home Front) was honored with the opportunity to light a torch at the official Independence Day ceremony.
Citizens for Clean Air integrated their public reporting hotline with local emergency centers, allowing citizens to easily report illegal waste burning.
RegenIL is organizing a cross-sectoral delegation to London to participate in the world’s leading conference on regenerative agriculture.
Stay tuned—Tzamarot is growing, and so is the impact of our changemakers.
🌱 It Finally Happened: THe Veganism & Animal Rights Conference 2025
After years without a major national gathering, Israel’s vegan and animal rights community reunited for a vibrant, inspiring day of learning, action, and connection.
The conference focused on advancing plant-based food in large-scale kitchens, showcasing successful models from Israel and around the world. Over 400 participants joined talks from leaders like Miki Haimovich, Aaron Ross (The Humane League), and Tobias Leenaert (ProVeg), along with workshops on effective activism, food tech, digital advocacy, and more.
🛠 Workshops Covered:
Strategies to influence institutional food procurement
Staying compassionate and active during crisis – with Dr. Shiri Raz
The future of alternative proteins and food tech – with Nir Zoot
How to connect people to plant-based eating – with Ziv Tzukrel
Creating change through social media – with Inbal Zolichian
Wildlife protection in cities – with Dr. Ariella Rosenzweig
Live Q&As with international leaders in animal rights advocacy
The event featured a bustling community fair, hands-on sessions, delicious vegan food, and a moving Shavuot-themed demonstration. A special exhibition—A Glimpse into the Lives of Pigs—curated by Freedom for Animals, offered an emotional look into the reality of industrial farming.
The conference brought together activists, newcomers, and organizations to build collective power and reenergize the movement for animals in Israel.
Thank you for following us. Your support fuels our work for a better future.
The Life & Environment Team
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