LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS
FOR A MORE PEACEFUL REALITY
We believe a nonviolent future for Palestinians and Israelis is achievable. To get there, we need to work strategically and collaboratively within and across both societies.
THE NEED
OUR APPROACH
Today's reality demands new approaches. That's why we're reframing peacebuilding while strengthening key agents of change – NGOs, donors, activists, academics, and decision makers.
We define peacebuilding as working to create a more peaceful reality for Israelis and Palestinians by:
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Reducing hatred, tension, and violence
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Improving quality of life
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Creating better systems for interaction
We believe peacebuilding isn't just about negotiation summits. It's about investing in long-term processes through which conflicting societies adopt nonviolent paths to achieving their national aspirations, while taking concrete actions to improve lives today.
Our work focuses on four key areas:
OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS
1M+
IN NEW FUNDING
Secured for Israeli and Palestinian NGOs changing their societies from within
300+
LEADERSHIP ALUMNI
Driving lasting change
in the peacebuilding field
37
PALESTINIAN, ISRAELI,
AND INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
Working more effectively,
strategically, and collaboratively
6
PUBLICATIONS
Sharing practical tools
and insights to support
the peacebuilding
community
What Our Partners Say
STAY INFORMED
Get updates about our latest work, research, and programs.
PEACEBUILDING
ˈPĒS | ˈBIL-DIŊ (NOUN)
1: creating a more peaceful reality for Palestinians and Israelis, defined by:
a) less hatred, tension, and violence,
b) increased quality of life, and
c) improved systems for interaction
2: breaking the intractable nature of the conflict into manageable parts, then tackling each part one by one.
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What
we do
Amal-Tikva seeks to build capacity for sustainable and scalable peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians.
We know that the shortcomings of peacebuilding efforts have many roots, so we offer a comprehensive range of programs and partnerships to ensure that all stakeholders in peacebuilding are equipped to lay the foundation for a more peaceful reality.
Why
we
do it
We believe that a community of NGOs, donors, experts, and activists working strategically and collaboratively as a field will enable civil society organizations to change the zero-sum nature of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making it feel more resolvable to all relevant stakeholders, which is a key first step toward building a just and lasting peace.
How we
do it
Building capacity for growing nonprofits.
We bring capacity-building and funding opportunities, as well as guidance on best practices for scalability, impact and sustainability.
We offer skill building, webinars, seminars, office space, dialogue circles and more.
Supporting activists with skill-building and leadership training.
We equip activists with the knowledge and skills needed to make a real impact by introducing innovative approaches to social change from a peacebuilding perspective.
Each program builds a cohort of peers who will support one another over the long term.
Bringing new professional capacity to the field.
We host the Embodying Peace fellowship, a skill building, educational program enabling young professionals from Israel-Palestine to start their path in civil society peacebuilding.
Leading local and international discourse on peacebuilding.
Are you looking to learn about the history of peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians, connect with on-the-ground leaders and activists, and find a way to get involved in supporting the field?
You've come to the right place. Email sewar@amal-tikva.org
Urgent
need
Right now, Israelis and Palestinians are hurting more than ever.
The peacebuilding field is no exception. NGO leaders, donors, activists, and academics are hurt, scared, and confused.
Some in our ecosystem have staff or volunteers who are missing or murdered. Others are indefinitely drafted. Some are traumatized beyond being able to function. Others have had their bank accounts shut down, or their homes or offices destroyed. Some have had no direct contact with the violence and yet are paralyzed by the anxiety and fear from it all, while others are working around the clock on adrenaline.
This moment seems to have changed almost everything. What has not changed is our goal.
At Amal-Tikva we seek to build capacity for sustainable and scalable peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians. Right now that means making sure there are solid people dedicated to this work now and when this war is over. We are committed, as we have always been, to supporting NGOs, donors, activists, academics and decision makers--anyone committed to building a more peaceful reality.
Meet
our
team
Meredith Rothbart | Co-Founder and CEO
Meredith brings almost 15 years of leadership experience with Israeli and Palestinian NGOs, including as director of Kids4Peace Jerusalem. Meredith holds an MA from Hebrew University in Community Development, and has addressed Congress, the White House and the UN Security Council on grassroots peacebuilding efforts. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and four giggly children.
Basheer Abu Baker | Co-Founder and CFO
Basheer is a CPA/MBA with over 10 years experience in the private sector, and another 10 years working with Israeli and Palestinian NGOs as a financial manager. As CFO of Hand-in-Hand, Basheer created the infrastructure for exponential growth, in partnership with government, private, and philanthropic partners. Basheer lives in Jerusalem with his wife and daughters.
Ariel Markose | Chief Strategy Officer
Ariel joined Amal-Tikva after five years as the founding director of the Jerusalem Model, a coalition of diverse social entrepreneurs. Through her role in the Jerusalem Model, she helped guide Meredith and Basheer in creating Amal-Tikva. As CSO she oversees program design, process management, and external relations. She holds an LLB in Law and BA in Government from IDC Herzliya. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children.
Ghadeer Sabat - Kort | Chief Operations Officer
Originally from the Old City of Jerusalem, Ghadeer has been working in peacebuilding for nearly a decade. She is an expert in managing data and overseeing systems and operations, skills honed during her experience with a variety of peace NGOs, most recently Kids4Peace Jerusalem. She currently manages our Fieldbuilding360 program. Ghadeer holds an MA in International Cooperation and Development from Bethlehem University. Ghadeer lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children.
Amitai Abouzaglo | Director of Education and Research
Amitai founded Embodying Peace as an undergrad at Harvard College, where he completed a degree in the Comparative Study of Religion. He has been working in the field of social change and peacebuilding since he was a teenager, and remains dedicated to learning and growing. Amitai lives in Jerusalem and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Islamic studies at the Hebrew University.
Sewar Uthman | Programs Coordinator
From Jerusalem, joined Amal-Tikva in 2023 shortly after graduating with honors from the Hebrew University with a BA in Psychology and Business and also an MBA in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Sewar began her journey at the Hand in Hand School, where Israelis and Palestinians learn together and in Kids4Peace, a youth movement for Jewish, Christian and Muslim youth from Jerusalem. A seasoned speaker on various perspectives of the conflict, and dialogue facilitator, Sewar is a dynamic force in the pursuit of peace.
Natasha Voloshin | Programs Manager
Originally from Jerusalem, Natasha brings extensive experience as the former COO at Lissan. She excelled in program management, business development, and team leadership, while also overseeing digital infrastructure. Natasha's previous roles at Deloitte, the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, and Greenpeace were centered around analyzing economic and social data for diverse stakeholders. A participant of the ATLI 2nd cohort, Natasha holds a magna cum laude Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Anthropology from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Aliza Gold | Programs Coordinator
Aliza joined Amal Tikva after two years as the USAID compliance officer and Shared Society Coordinator at Yozmot Atid, where she developed programming to build a cross-community business network and business collaborations between Israeli and Palestinian business women entrepreneurs participating in the NGOs micro-business development programs in mixed cities. In addition to program development, Aliza also comes to us with experience in dialogue facilitation, M&E, and reporting. She holds an MA in Conflict Research, Management and Resolution from the Hebrew University.
Loay Rajabi | Development and Communication Coordinator
Growing up in Jerusalem's Old City, Loay is a psychology student at the Hebrew University with a deep commitment to peacebuilding and advocacy. Over the past six years, he has been actively involved in efforts that bridge divides and promote social inclusivity. With experience as an Information Coordinator at the Ministry of Tourism, Loay brings his background in public engagement and civil society to Amal-Tikva, where he coordinates impact and outreach. Driven by a vision of sustainable stability and a more inclusive future, Loay works to strengthen the organization’s reach and engage diverse communities.
Rojeh Gharfeh | Research and Impact Specialist
Rojeh holds a BA in International Relations, Communications, and Journalism, and an MA in International Relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has been working as a researcher, focusing on conflict resolution strategies over the past year. He has actively participated in three conferences at the Truman Institute on the education landscape in East Jerusalem, showcasing his commitment to addressing critical regional issues. With a strong foundation in research and analysis, Rojeh brings a strategic and analytical approach to his work at AmalTikva, contributing to the organization’s mission to foster peace and understanding in conflict-prone areas.
