Social Workers for Democracy
Our Activities
2026
Conferences
Social Workers for Democracy at the European International Conference.
Marking World Social Work Day, led by Social Workers for Democracy, with an emphasis on the critical role of social workers since the outbreak of the war – March 18, 2026, on social media.
Campaigns and Protest Actions
A campaign by Social Workers for Democracy in collaboration with Looking the Occupation in the Eye, opposing the use of minors – Hilltop Youth – as weapons, and supporting the rehabilitation of at-risk youth – August 2026, on social media.
An independent initiative by Social Workers for Democracy called “The Roar of the Invisible,” addressing the effects of the war with Iran on Israeli society – June 2026, on social media.
Collaboration with the Education Struggle regarding the administration of matriculation exams in their current format amid an ongoing reality of trauma. Holding the exams without emotional accommodations constitutes a pedagogical failure, sets young people up for failure, and may deepen disparities and create systemic at-risk youth.
Jewish-Arab solidarity for life and for the basic right to security and well-being.
Marking International Women’s Day with a call for cooperation and shared hope for a just, equal and peaceful society.
2025
“Collective Trauma and Peacebuilding” Conference
The first conference in the “Collective Trauma and Peacebuilding” series, held in Tel Aviv at the initiative of Social Workers for Democracy and its partners – February 21, 2025.
The second conference in the “Collective Trauma and Peacebuilding” series, held in Nazareth at the initiative of Social Workers for Democracy and its partners, and also featuring a performance by Al-Hanin Theatre – October 3, 2025.
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Conferences
The “Voices of War” conference at Tel Aviv University, held in collaboration with Social Workers for Democracy and academic partners, addressing the effects of the war on Israeli society – January 7, 2025, on social media.
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Social Workers for Democracy in the international arena – the political role of social work in situations of war and conflict, and the tension between the “professional” and the “political” in this context.
A professional conference entitled “Stop Before I Fall,” addressing burnout and resilience among professionals.
Resilience workshop.
Read MorePosition Papers
On Arab female social workers whose lives are at risk.
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Letter opposing a plan to concentrate Gaza’s population.
On civil disobedience as an ethical stance – MeidaOS, the journal.
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Position paper – a call to publicly express a position regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Read MoreCampaigns and Protest Actions
Discussion circles on social justice and welfare – Habima Square.
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Supporting social workers who are family members of hostages.
The “Sukkot of Equality and Welfare” initiative by Social Workers for Democracy, bringing together communities and people across the country around the values of equality and welfare, including a gathering in Kfar Saba with speaker Asmahan Jabali – September 30–October 4, 2025, on social media.
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Hosting MK Naama Lazimi.
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Aid and solidarity delegation to Tamra.
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From Pain to Peace – the People’s Peace Conference.
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With Democrats Chairman Yair Golan on the necessity of welfare.
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“Today I Refuse” campaign.
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Social Workers for Democracy protest tent for the hostages.
2024
Conferences
Participation by Social Workers for Democracy in the peace gathering at Menora Arena, as part of presenting the connection between social work and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – July 2, 2024, on social media.
The “Testimonies of War” conference, held in collaboration with Social Workers for Democracy and the Peace Partnership, bringing forward personal voices from the war – October 25, 2024.
An independent series of support and resilience workshops for social workers, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy, which began shortly after the outbreak of the war and was held free of charge in Zoom groups – 2024.
Position Papers
An independent text by attorney and social worker Ariel Schwartz of Social Workers for Democracy, calling for a Jewish voice that strives for peace, equality and justice in response to starvation in Gaza – May 19, 2024, on social media.
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An independent professional warning by Social Workers for Democracy regarding the collapse of the mental health system and the worsening situation since October 7, including long waiting times for psychiatric care – June 3, 2024, on social media.
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An independent opinion article by social worker Yael Levin, a member of Social Workers for Democracy, on professional and ethical boundaries and mechanisms for protecting professionals under oppressive and anti-democratic rule – June 18, 2024, on social media.
Testimony by social worker Adi Romach Sarbanitzky on behalf of Social Workers for Democracy regarding police violence she experienced at a demonstration outside the Knesset in Jerusalem – June 18–19, 2024, on social media.
An independent professional article by attorney and social worker Ariel Schwartz, a member of Social Workers for Democracy, warning against the politicization of the National Authority for Combating Poverty as part of the regime overhaul – July 10, 2024, on social media.
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An independent professional position by Social Workers for Democracy following a B’Tselem report on the harsh detention conditions of Palestinian prisoners, calling for adherence to human rights and prisoners’ rights conventions – August 6, 2024, on social media.
The struggle by Social Workers for Democracy against the closure of the National Council for Food Security, including remarks by attorney and social worker Ariel Schwartz concerning an attempt by the government to tie the hands of professionals – June 26, 2024, on social media.
An independent position paper by Social Workers for Democracy asking whether the National Authority for Combating Poverty is genuinely good news for people affected by poverty or a body established for political purposes – June 6, 2024, on social media.
Campaigns and Activities
Independent campaigns and positions by Social Workers for Democracy opposing the 2024 budget, which included extensive cuts to social budgets, including a 50% cut to the food security program – January 2024, on social media.
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A speech by social worker Noa Shai on behalf of Social Workers for Democracy at a demonstration in Kfar Saba, addressing the expectation that elected officials protect citizens following the disaster – March 1–2, 2024, on social media.
Marking World Social Work Day, led by Social Workers for Democracy, with streets filled with posters thanking and recognizing social workers – March 19, 2024, on social media.
Social Workers for Democracy accompanied families of hostages to Knesset discussions, enabling them to tell the stories of their loved ones and demand action for their return – April 1, 2024, on social media.
“Enough War” – in collaboration with Parents Against Child Arrests – Involved Against Their Will.
Independent professional advocacy by Social Workers for Democracy about the price paid by social workers during the war, including recommendations by Prof. Johnny Gal and Prof. Idit Weiss-Gal for rehabilitating the welfare system – May 2024, on social media.
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Campaign on the number of people murdered in Arab society.
Social Workers for Democracy supported the struggle of social worker Paula Perpinial and residents of the Eshkol region to establish a rear-area school and oppose continued abandonment – July 1, 2024, on social media.
Supporting our colleague, social worker Carmit Palti Katzir.
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Shira Shapir Rosenberg speaks in front of the Histadrut.
Opposing the cut.
Social Workers for Democracy joined a joint call by mental health professions to suspend activity in the public and private sectors until an agreement for the return of the hostages is signed – August 15, 2024, on social media.
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Social worker Adi Rabnitzky calls for a hunger strike.
Dr. Ruti Sofer Alankwa speaks at a protest in Jerusalem.
A treatment and welfare professions’ protest tent for the return of the hostages, opposite the Knesset.
Publication of an Arabic version of Social Workers for Democracy’s independent free guide, containing 35 tools from four therapeutic approaches for coping with crisis and trauma, for adults and teenagers – July 28, 2024, on social media.
2023
Conferences
A solidarity visit to the Welfare Department in Kafr Qara, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy in collaboration with “Social Workers for Peace” – September 10, 2023.
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An independent solidarity meeting between Social Workers for Democracy and women leaders of “Mothers on Guard” from the Ethiopian community, including a discussion about the community’s sense of exclusion and silencing – September 20, 2023, on social media.
Social Workers for Democracy invite you to a lecture: The effects of providing treatment within a shared traumatic reality on therapists: theoretical and practical aspects. The meeting includes a conceptualization of the current reality and its unique characteristics.
A professional lecture by Dr. Avital Kai-Tzadok, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy, on promoting positive adaptation following collective trauma – October 29, 2023.
Position Papers
Independent media coverage by Social Workers for Democracy presenting the regime overhaul as contrary to the professional code of ethics and as requiring opposition – February 23, 2023.
An independent position paper and statement by hundreds of academics and social work professionals, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy, on harm to the welfare system and its transformation into a clientelist welfare state – August 2023, on social media.
Campaigns and Activities
A joint call by Social Workers for Democracy and ASSAF to release Eritrean asylum seekers detained during a lawful demonstration in Tel Aviv – September 5, 2023, on social media.
The first edition of the “Donation Protest,” initiated by Social Workers for Democracy – September 2023.
A professional tour of East Jerusalem for a group of social workers, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy in collaboration with “Social Workers for Peace,” and guided by a representative of Ir Amim – September 22, 2023, on social media.
The first edition of Social Workers for Democracy’s “Sukkot of Equality and Welfare” initiative, bringing together communities across the country around the values of equality and welfare – September 30–October 4, 2023, on social media.
Establishment of an independent emergency volunteer database of social workers, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy, to assist evacuees from the Gaza border communities and people affected by the war – October 7, 2023, on social media.
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Independent professional guidelines by Social Workers for Democracy for media professionals interviewing trauma survivors following the disaster, based on professional responsibility and sensitivity toward those affected – October 8–9, 2023, on social media.
The opening of independent spaces for sharing, processing and support for social workers, initiated by Social Workers for Democracy, during the first days of the war – October 15, 2023, on social media.
Continuation of Social Workers for Democracy’s independent series of support and emotional assistance sessions for journalists covering the war, both on the front lines and on the home front – October 2023, on social media.
An independent call by Social Workers for Democracy to the Ministers of Welfare, Health and Finance to increase salaries and incentives for social workers in order to save the public service – November 16, 2023, on social media.
Social Workers for Democracy’s “Donation Protest” initiative for Hanukkah, raising donations for those affected by the Swords of Iron War while protesting the diversion of budgets away from them – December 7, 2023, on social media.
A strike by social workers initiated by Social Workers for Democracy against the regime overhaul, marking World Social Work Day and the profession’s historic role in changing reality – February 23, 2023, on social media.
LGBTQ+ social workers in Social Workers for Democracy.
A strike by social workers initiated by Social Workers for Democracy against the regime overhaul, marking World Social Work Day and the profession’s historic role in changing reality – February 23, 2023, on social media.
Opposing the regime overhaul – a brief history of the “reform.”
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An independent protest by Social Workers for Democracy against the state budget outside the Knesset, against the backdrop of what the group described as a policy of abandonment toward communities in southern and northern Israel – May 2023, on social media.
Social Workers for Democracy participated in the tent of Arab local authority heads protesting what they described as disregard for distress and crime in Arab society. In solidarity with Arab council heads protesting neglect of crime in Arab society.
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Social Workers for Democracy took to the streets in an independent protest following the death of Rafael Adana in a hit-and-run incident and concerning what the group described as institutional racism experienced by Israelis of Ethiopian origin – May 2023, on social media.
Petition against the closure of the Food Security Council.
Social workers march to Jerusalem.
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Ronit Haimov Zilberman – the accessible protest.
A Social Workers for Democracy protest aimed at preventing the collapse of employment and housing frameworks for people with disabilities and raising the wages of instructors working in these frameworks – August 23, 2023, on social media.
An independent expression of solidarity by Social Workers for Democracy with the struggle of education support staff (teaching assistants) for fair pay conditions – August 30, 2023, on social media.