Blinken meets civil society leaders, stresses democratic values

In a meeting with young leaders from Israel’s civil society, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to the importance of democratic values, a theme he has been focusing on in his public statements with Israeli officials.

Civil society, he says, “can be our North Star, keeping us focused and honest when it comes to making sure that we’re adhering to the principles that we all espouse. And reminding us of what’s truly important in the work that we’re doing, which is to try to make sure that each of us is treated with the dignity that we deserve as human beings.”

Blinken sat with representatives from ROPES, a nonprofit promoting regional Arab-Israeli integration; the Netzach Educational Network, which help Haredim work toward their Bagrut certificate; Tikkun Olam Makers, which tries to create innovations to met the needs of disabled people; the Israel Gay Youth organization; Loop, a tech NGO that seeks to integrate Arab youth into Israel’s high-tech community; and Shavot, which promote female professional leadership.

Binken also met with young civil society leaders in Egypt and in Ramallah.