Molad – the Center for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy

Reeling from internal and external crises, Israeli society is at a crossroads. Strategic challenges it is facing will fundamentally shape its future and the sustainability of liberal democratic model. The threat of illiberal forces determining the country’s direction has been brewing over several decades, in which their rising influence in the sphere of ideas and discourse has gone largely unchallenged by liberal constituencies paralyzed by infighting and lacking a sense of urgency. However, more than ever, failing to challenge and counter these illiberal narratives poses a grave risk to Israel's future and regional realities. Indeed, security and politics in Israel are inexorably entwined. Israelis must be given the opportunity to comprehend and grapple with the real choices that lie before them.
Currently, there is a vacuum of substantive and engaging work aimed at crafting a liberal-democratic future that addresses Israel's evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities. Molad as a thinktank is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive analysis that encompasses both facets.

Our goal is to cultivate the people and ideas that will catalyze a reinvigorated liberal-democratic discourse and help to consolidate an effective liberal-democratic camp. Our objectives center on:

1. Enhancing the robustness and quality of our network of Molad resident and affiliated scholars, cultivating new generations of scholar activists positioned in top universities globally and domestically.

2. Developing original research, analysis, visions, and strategy on issues fundamental to Israel's liberal democracy; spanning the pursuit of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, democracy building, and civic equality.

3. Engaging policy and thought leaders, as well as broad publics, including by briefing and advising politicians and journalists, growing an ongoing media and social media presence, educating and training young audiences, developing podcasts and other original programming and events, and initiating collaborations with like-minded organizations. 

1. Top academic talent selected based on the quality of their work on issues fundamental to sustaining Israel's liberal democracy, and their affiliation with top institutions. We seek to support, cultivate, and guide their efforts to impact on issues fundamental to sustaining Israel’s liberal democracy.

2. Civil society and political leaders able to drive conversations about crafting liberal-democratic futures on fundamental issues within their organizations or in broader public discourse. We seek to empower such leaders with clear and substantive narratives, analyses, and visions to shape their activism and influence. 

3. Conventional and social media influencers that use their platforms to drive substantive conversations. We seek to provide influencers compelling information and content to be widely platformed in Israeli mainstream media and across main social media platforms.

4. Broader Israeli publics seeking clarity and a way forward. Our engagement efforts in the public arena target communities that identify as part of the liberal-democratic public, spanning partisan affiliations and including young leadership groups.