editorial › Israeli Society

Moshe Radman, last day of the Protest march to Jerusalem, Kibbutz Nachshon, 2023

Radman organised a march of over a hundred thousand people from Tel Aviv to The Knesset in Jerusalem, to protest the judicial overhaul

Protest march to Jerusalem, 2023

In July 2023, despite the extreme Israeli summer, over a hundred thousand people marched for four days from Tel Aviv to The Knesset in Jerusalem, to protest the judicial overhaul

Demonstrations Against Judicial Overhaul, March 2023

Protesters on Tel Aviv's Ayalon Freeway demonstrating against the government's attempt to curtail the independence of the judiciary.

Protests Against The Judicial Overhauls, March 2023

An Israeli TV correspondent reports from the all night protests of March 27th on Israel's Ayalon freeway against the government's planned overhaul of the judiciary.

Ron Birman, October 2022

Captain Ron Birman was the sole survivor of an Israeli military helicopter that crashed at sea, off the coast of Haifa, after an emergency landing.

Naomi Granot, 2023

Granot was a senior prosecutor in the criminal department of the State Attorney office, representing the State in many high-profile cases, including the trials against former PM Ehud Olmert and former President Moshe Katzav. Since retirement she has been outspoken against the Netanyahu Government attempts to overhaul the judiciary.

Bedouin Family Crossing Highway 40, 2021

Much of the modern infrastructure in the Negev desert region ignores the Bedouin living there, making access problematic to and from many villages. It is common in this area to see Bedouin, including young children, running across major highways to avoid the impracticable long detour required to get to the nearest junction.

Bedouin crossing Highway 31 near Hura, 2021

Much of the modern infrastructure in the Negev desert region ignores the Bedouin living there, making access problematic to and from many villages. It is common in this area to see Bedouin, including young children, running across major highways to avoid the impracticable long detour required to get to the nearest junction.

Wedding Party, 2021

Naama & Eliah Tesslar Peleg, 2022

Eliah suffered severe brain damage as a result of medical negligence.

Grave of Theresa Englovitz, Gordon Cemetery, Rishon LeZion 2022

In 1984 Englovitz's remains were found in a plastic bag in a Moslem cemetery in Ramleh. Two Haredi men had disinterred the body from the original burial site in a Jewish Cemetery and dumped the body, after discovering that Englovitz was Christian. The body was returned following a Court ruling, but due to multiple desecrations of the grave, there is no formal gravestone to this day.

Morris Halfon, Director of the Beer Sheva Civil Cemetery, 2021

Despite being a predominantly secular country many areas of life in Israel, such as burial, are governed by religious law. The Alternative Burials Law was passed in 1997 to create a civil burial option, yet to this day the only civil cemetery established according to that law is the Beer Sheva cemetery. The remaining few civil cemeteries that are in secular hands are reserved for locals only, or very expensive.

Ayelet Cohen, Chairperson of Menuha Nehona Civil Burial Organization, 2021

The 1997 Alternative Burial Law states “a person is entitled to be buried in accordance with his outlook in an alternative civil cemetery,” yet only one such cemetery has been established. After battling the government for over 20 years, the Menuha Nehona organization was granted 2.5 acres in Petach Tikva, but has not received sufficient funds to develop the plot due to intentional lack of government support.

Rivka Shlilshvilli, Kiryat Gat Bus Station, 2023

Rivka immigrated from Georgia with her husband Chaimie in 1972 and they bought the kiosk at Kiryat Gat bus station in 1998. She was married at 14 and at the age of 74 has 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Chaimie passed away in 2021, she continues to run the business alone.

Remnant of Cinema Kiosk at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, 2022

The 'New' Central Bus Station of Tel Aviv took 25 years to be built, and only a few years to fall into disrepair. It is the world's second largest bus station and an extremely complex building to navigate. An order for closure of the building has been pending since 2021.

Dr. Ariel Tessone, 2022

Dr Tessone, from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Sheba Hospital in Tel Aviv, uses virtual reality technology to practice surgical procedures on a digital version of the patient's body in preparation for the actual surgery.

Prof. Israel Hershkovitz, Dr. Rachel Sarig, Dr. Hila May, and Dr. Yossi Zaidner, 2021

The team that discovered and analysed the skull from a previously unknown prehistoric human: Homo Nesher Ramla. The findings cast doubt on the previously accepted belief that Neanderthal man evolved in Europe, not the Middle East.

Rivka Perez, Jerusalem 2021

Rivka, a young Israeli mother, is trapped by her estranged husband who refuses to divorce her. In Israel, divorces are conducted in accordance with Jewish law: a man must give a writ of divorce, a "Get", and the woman must accept. Should the man refuse, the woman remains locked in the marriage. In many cases, the Get is withheld as a form of extortion, or simply as a form of abuse.

Yakov Haimovich, 2021

Holocaust survivor, 100 years old.

Reuven Abergel, 2021

Former leader of the Israeli Black Panthers movement, which fought racism against Mizrahi Jews in the 70s.

Mansour Abbas, 2021

Israeli-Arab politician and former leader of the United Arab List whose pragmatic policies led to him joining the coalition which temporarily ousted Netanyahu as Prime Minister, despite the coalition containing right-wing parties.

Moshik Afia, 2021

After three decades as a well-known singer, Moshik decided during the corona pandemic to leave the music industry and work for his family in the car selling business.

Lockdown, New Year's Eve 2020

An Israeli turns self-isolation into a holiday by the Dead Sea.

Corona Pandemic, September 2020

Dalit Segal, Hornist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra during concert.

Corona Pandemic, September 2020

The Mann Auditorium, home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, seating only one quarter of its 2,400 capacity during the Corona pandemic, to allow social distancing.

Tehila Tsarfati, Rotem Settlement, 2020

During the initial onset of Corona, Tehila decided to leave everything behind in Tel Aviv and move into a tiny caravan in nature, on the outskirts of the remote settlement of Rotem.

Unrecognised Bedouin Village, Al-Jurf, 2021

A bedouin women works in a greenhouse established with the assistance of Sidreh, a non-profit organization which aims to strengthen the role of Bedouin women in the Negev.

Liori Idan, 2022

Childrens' author and educator in non violent communication. Her daughter died tragically of anorexia

Dr. Michael Bunzel, 2021

Dr. Bunzel is one of many psychiatrists prescribing Esketamine, a hallucinogen medication, in the treatment of severe depression. Esketamine evolved as a general anesthetic but is best known as the recreational drug, "Special K".

Daniel Tobias, 2021

Daniel is one of many Israeli soldiers claiming that their cancer is a result of operating the Iron-Dome defense system and being exposed to the heat and radiation it releases.

Segregated Beach, Ashdod 2021

Most coastal municipalities in Israel operate a beach for religious bathers open exclusively either for men, or for women, on alternating days.

Ortal Sharavi, Jerusalem 2021

Ortal lives in fear of the release of her former husband from prison. Unlike most victims of domestic violence, Ortal spoke openly of her situation to the press and the Knesset, demanding a change to Israeli Law in which the police take action against the husband when it is already too late.

Land of the Monasteries, March 2021

Just north of the Dead Sea, near the Israel-Jordan border, are some of the oldest monasteries in the region. For over 50 years the area lay abandoned and inaccessible, after being extensively mined by Israel to prevent border attacks. Finally the area has been cleared of mines and is planned to reopen to international tourism.

Lod, May 2021

Aftermath of the riots between Jewish and Arab neighbours in the city of Lod.

Lod Riots, May 2021

Police Commander Yigal Ezra, Lod police station chief for 28 years, the day after rioting broke out between Jewish and Arab neighbours in the city of Lod.

Nitzan, August 2020

A village established from former Gush Katif settlers. There is still much bitterness towards the Israeli government, who in 2005 forcibly removed them from their settlement in the Gaza strip. After 15 years, there are as many as 100 famlies living in temporary housing, alongside luxury villas.

Corona Pandemic, October 2020

In the absence of regular advertising, the gigantic billboard on the side of the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv has carried one message for the entire month of October.

Rabin Square, November 2020

Performance during a protest of the Pensioners' Union against government pension cuts.

Corona Pandemic, October 2020

In the absence of regular advertising, the gigantic billboard on the side of the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv has carried one message for the entire month of October.

Corona Pandemic, October 2020

Talmudic studies take to the street during Israel's second lockdown.

Giovanni & Gal, "Shanti Beach", Dead Sea, August 2020

Metzukei Dragot ("Shanti") Beach, is one of the only beaches still accessible on the Dead Sea since the falling sea level has led to the formation of mudflats and thousands of sinkholes alongside the shoreline. Freshwater springs on the beach have made it a habitable recluse for travellers.

Corona Pandemic, April 2020

Traditionally, on Israel's Memorial Day, families and friends of fallen soldiers visit the graves of their loved ones. Due to the Corona outbreak, access to the cemeteries was forbidden, instead, soldiers were sent to photograph themselves honouring the graves to send to the bereaved families.

Corona Pandemic, April 2020

Corona Pandemic, April 2020

Shoppers at 7am standing in a line that extends around the block to buy eggs, which have been in extremely short supply, for the Passover festival.

Corona Pandemic, April 2020

Corona Pandemic, March 2020

Corona Pandemic, March 2020

Inspectors from the Health Ministry enforcing self-isolation measures in a building in the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Israel.

Corona Pandemic, March 2020

Inspectors from the Health Ministry checking on a couple in self-isolation, after receiving information from neighbours that they had been seen leaving the apartment.

Ziv Shilon, 2018

After being severely injured during army service on the Gaza border, ZIv went on to participate in an Iron Man competition.

Gan Shomron Junction, 2006

Shmuel Tesslar, holocaust survivor who ran his roadside restaurant for over 60 years.

Carmit Ron, 2003.

Carmit lost her entire family in 2002 in a suicide bombing attack.

Jerusalem, 2003

Yoram Gedalyahu, a victim of post traumatic stress since witnessing a suicide bombing.

Pascal Berkovitz & Igor Plotnikov, 2015

Paralympic swimmers

Yonatan Langer, 2019

Former German neo-Nazi who converted to Judaism and moved to Israel

Gay fathers with extended family, Tel Aviv 2018

Mathew Sherka & Lyle, 2019

Mathew (on left), is a gay activist working to end conversion therapy

Shirley & Tair, 2019

Tair is bigender, together with her mother Shirley, they give lectures on the subject of bigenderism

Romy & Ilanit Abergel, 2017

Ilanit's transgender daughter Romy began hormone replacement therapy at the age of 13 becoming a new precedent for HRT in Israel.

Noam, 2019

Trans man

Danit & Eden Yohanan, 2013

Danit's twin brother Eden (on right) underwent sex change surgery, becoming her twin sister.

Yuval Topper, 2011

Israel's first transgender man to give birth

Sean & Liat, 2017

Sean (left) was imprisoned for stabbing her former girlfriend's lover then fell in love with her prison guard, Liat (right), establishing together a family on her release.

Dor Maldevsky, 2017

Gay volunteer in Israel's national service programme

Ramat Gan, 2016

Gay couple, Roni & Nadav Eliahu-Apter used modern US surrogacy developments to create the twins, Dylan & Emily - genetically connected to both fathers.

Rishon-le-Zion Beach, 1994

David Quarrey & Aldo Henriquez, 2016

UK ambassador to Israel and his partner.

Tel Aviv Beach, 2016

Brittania Park, 2016

Poorly disguised cellular antenna.

Tel Aviv, 2014

Renovations on beachfront.

Tel Aviv, 2013

Ultra Orthodox girls in the women's enclave, at a concert of Haredi pop star, Yaniv Ben Mashiach.

First navigator of Ethiopian descent to fly in Israel's Air Force, 2018

Shir Rotem-Nir, 2017

Mother who lost her husband and son in a tragic hiking accident.

Doron Zahavi aka "Captain George"

Zahavi, a former member of Israel's Intelligence service, was fired after the captured Mustafa Dirani claimed that he was sodomized and tortured by Zahavi during interrogation. Zahavi recently settled a claim against the State of Israel for compensation.

Tel Aviv, 2011

Rothschild Boulevard during the housing protests.

Yonatan & Ella Gabai, 2015

Yonatan's life was saved from a rare disease by a bone-marrow transplant from his sister, Ella, who was genetically adapted and born specifically to save his life.

Muzher & Shadde Badir, 2015

Two of the three blind Badir brothers, notorious for their involvement in a telephone exchange hacking scam in the 90's.

Moshav Eliad, the Golan Heights, 2015

A growing number of Israelis are building their homes with their own hands. Hila & Yaron Freedlander built their house from natural materials, including bales of hay.

Acco, 2015

Youths inciting horses into a frenzy in the Old City.

Kibbutz Merom Golan, 2014

Israel's Kibbutz movement has undergone a process of privatisation, leaving its Communist roots, to enable a viable future.

Netivot cemetery, 2004

Rabbi Ifergan, known as the 'X-ray rabbi' due to his alleged supernatural powers, at a midnight prayer meeting.

Mount Meron, 2004

A Hasiddic Jewish boy has his hair ritually cut for the first time at the Hilula celebrations.

Yardenit, 2005

Christian pilgrims from the US at a baptism ritual in the Jordan river.

Tel Aviv, 2005

Ethiopian immigrants dance at the "Teiman" club.

Tel Aviv, 2000

Romanian construction workers meet with Israeli women at the Doli Club.

Tel Aviv, 2010

Eritrean refugee sleeping overnight in childrens' playground, Levinsky Park.

Tel Aviv, 2008

African refugees in a makeshift refuge in the public bomb shelter in Levinsky Park.

Jerusalem, 2010

Yoelish, a member of Neturai Karta, the ultra orthodox Jewish group which opposes Zionism.

Hiriya, 1996

Hiriya 'Mountain', formerly Israel's largest waste dump. Before dumping was stopped in 1998, the site reached a height of 60metres.

Jerusalem, 2005

Preparing food parcels at the Yad Ezra food distribution centre for the poor.

Nahariya, 2010

A worker at the Molitan thread factory, under threat of closure.

Dimona, 2002

The Black Hebrew community of Dimona.

Kibbutz Shefayim, 2008

The water park at Shefayim, one of the most commercially successful Kibbutzim in Israel.

Golan Heights, 2008

An evacuee settler from the Gaza disengagement, relocated to a prefab neighbourhood of the moshav Avnei Eitan.

Nahariya, 2006

Nahariya Hospital after being hit by a missile during the second Lebanese war.

Tel Aviv, 2002

A security guard protects diners from suicide bombers during the peak of the second intifada.

Nitsana, 2007

Shai Dromi, a farmer who killed a Bedouin trespasser, under house arrest. The case raised the possibility of lethal self-defense in the protection of property.

Golan Heights, 2005

Druze elders outside a funeral service in the village of Majd Al Shams.

Alumot, West Bank outpost, 2016

Yedidya Meshulami has no licence for the landing strip he built, nor for the regular flights he makes above neighbouring West Bank outposts and Palestinian villages.

Hermesh, 2003

Israeli human rights activists assist Palestinian villagers with the olive harvest.

Metulla, 2000

The border with Lebanon immediately after Israel's withdrawal.

Bil'in, 2006

A Palestinian demonstrator wrestled to the ground by Israeli border guards.

Kalandia Check Post, 2013

A volunteer from Blue&White Human Rights with Palestinian workers at an army check post - an attempt to break the left-wing monopoly on human rights in Israel.

Nablus, 2007

Beit Iba checkpost at the northern entrance to Nablus.

Bat Hefer, 2001

A security fence built to separate the Israeli settlement of Bat Hefer from neighbouring Palestinian city, Tulkarem.

Arab-a-Naim, 2003

An unrecognised Bedouin village in northern Israel with the Jewish city of Carmiel in the background.

Tel Arad, 2006

The Bedouins of Dahanya in Gaza were relocated, during the disengagement, to a village in southern Israel, due to their Israeli loyalties.

Negev desert, 2004

A Bedouin woman next to her house, recently destroyed by Israeli authorities due to lack of building permissions.

Sachnin, 2004

Bnei Sachnin soccer club in training for the Israeli Cup final. It became the first Israeli Arab team to win the trophy.

Sachnin, 2004

Local boys watch the Israeli Arab soccer club Bnei Sachnin in training for their victorious cup final.

Former Mossad Chiefs, 2018

Group photo of all the living former Mossad chiefs, (L to R): Zvi Zamir, Nahum Admoni, Tamir Pardo, Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy & Shabtai Shavit.

Tel Aviv, 2002

Purification room at Hayarkon Cemetery.

Former Presidents of Israel's Supreme Court, 2016

The 4 living former Supreme Court Presidents (at time of photo): Aharon Barak, Meir Shamgar, Asher Dan Grunis & Dorit Beinisch.

Tel Aviv, 2002

A member of the Hevrat Kadishe burial society digging a grave at Hayarkon Cemetery.