Israel Shelanu Lunchtalk at the German Embassy

The discussion covered, among other things, the challenges Russian-speaking immigrants face in Israel, as well as opportunities to strengthen their democratic participation and social inclusion. FES Israel was represented by Micky Drill.

The talk was led by Vicki Idzinsky, Founder and Director of Israel Shelanu, together with Dr. Nica Kostenko, a Board Member of the organization and a social scientist and research fellow at Tel Aviv University. Drawing on both activism and research, they highlighted persistent barriers facing Russian-speaking communities in Israel, including social exclusion, underrepresentation, and unequal integration experiences across different waves of Aliyah.

During the talk it was argued that many immigrants from the former Soviet Union continue to face structural challenges despite decades of residence in Israel. They pointed to ongoing socio-economic inequalities affecting parts of the community and discussed how expectations of assimilation have often required immigrants to set aside elements of their identity and previous experiences.

Particular attention was also given to immigrants who arrived following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Israel Shelanu argued that many newcomers came to Israel hoping for democracy and civic engagement, but often struggle to find meaningful pathways into political and civil society participation. The discussion highlighted that while right-wing actors have been relatively successful in engaging Russian-speaking communities—particularly in the aftermath of 7 October—progressive and left-wing actors have often failed to effectively reach and include them. 

As a result, many Russian-speaking Israelis are increasingly drawn toward the political right. At the same time many of them left their countries of origin in search of greater democracy and equality. This is why it's particularly unfortunate that progressive and center-left forces have so far had limited success in reaching this demographic, even though, given their experiences and their commitment, they could be an important partner for this political spectrum.

In conclusion, the Lunchtalk served as an opportunity to introduce the work of Israel Shelanu, a recently founded nonprofit organization that connects Russian-speaking immigrants from different waves of aliyah with democratic institutions and civil society actors. Through trainings, civic education, leadership development, and community-building initiatives, the organization aims to strengthen participation in Israel’s democratic life and ensure that Russian-speaking Israelis are active contributors to the country’s future.

Now in the second year of its partnership with Israel Shelanu, FES Israel looks forward to continued cooperation in strengthening democratic participation and civic inclusion.