The Center for the Protection of Democracy in Israel was established by a group of academics, lawyers and civic activists in order to protect and advance democratic values in Israel in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Keshev researches and systematically gathers information on efforts to de-legitimize democratic institutions, on organizations with anti-democratic ideologies and practices, on ideologically-based incitement and violence and on the conduct of the media in Israel. The information gathered is analyzed and disseminated in public reports and information sheets.

At the beginning of 2005, Keshev launched a long-term media-monitoring project called "Words Can Kill, Too". The project is carried out in cooperation with the Palestinian organization "Miftah" and its goal is to change patterns of media coverage in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority that give expression to prejudice, incitement and defamation, misrepresentation, de-legitimization and dehumanization of the other side.

Keshev is not affiliated with any political party and its activities are supported solely by contributions. Our principal contributors include the European Union and The New Israel Fund.

Public Advisors:

(partial list)

Dr. Simha Epstein, The Hebrew University

Haim Be'er, author

Rabbi Menachem Cohen, Sapir Center, Jerusalem

Dr. Moshe Halbertal, The Hebrew University

Alouph Hareven, "Sikkuy" Association

Michal Har-Sagur, historian

Professor Shulamit Volkov, Tel Aviv University

Makram Khoury, actor, Israel Prize laureate

A. B. Yehoshua, author, Israel Prize laureate

S. Yizhar, author, Israel Prize Laureate

Binyamin Cohen, district court judge (retired)

Ram Caspi, attorney

Professor Asa Kasher, Tel Aviv University

Shlomo "Cheech" Lahat, former mayor of Tel Aviv

Niva Lanir, journalist

Sami Michael, author

Professor Moshe Ma'oz, The Hebrew University

Salman Natur, author

Professor Uriel Simone, Bar-Ilan University

Eli Amir, author and director of Youth Aliya

Professor Avraham Friedman, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies

Professor Avi Ravitzky, The Hebrew University, Israel Prize laureate

Rabbi Uri Regev, Israel Religious Action Center, Jerusalem

Rabbi David Rosen, Anti-Defamation League

Professor Amos Shapira, Tel Aviv University

Keshev:

Keshev is a civic association that researches and gathers information on threats to democracy, ideologically-based incitement and violence and the conduct of the media in Israel.

POB 8005, Jerusalem 91080: 02

phone: 02-5672002

fax: 02-5664796

e-mail: info@keshev.org.il

July 17, 2005