Dani Filc, member of Standing Together leadership & professor, discussion, April 6, 2025

Changing the Paradigm – a conversation with the political scientist and physician Professor Dani Filc, Standing Together National Leadership Member

The Political Theory behind “Standing Together”, Grassroots movement of Jewish & Palestinian citizens of Israel – Webinar Series
Discussion lead by Anna C. Zielinska (France) & Eliaou Balouka (UK).

What is the current hegemony in Israel, i.e. what shapes society’s system of practices, meanings, and values, producing expectations, beliefs, and an understanding of reality? To a great extent, the hegemonic discourse is based today on the exclusionary rhetoric of major political parties. It also includes rationalisations of the economic divide in the country. Professor Dani Filc will draw lessons from the history of populism, a way of doing politics which is by definition polarizing, and will develop some elements of a conception based on the fundamental recognition of shared needs.

Dani Filc is a professor in the Department of Politics & Government at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. His research interests include health policy, the right to health, Israeli politics and society, and populism in Israel and around the world. He is currently studying solidarity in healthcare and the political economics of populism. He recently co-authored a book with Dov Khenin, What Is To Be Done Now? (2019), and another with Amit Avigur-Eshel, What Have Populists Done for Us? Exclusionary Populism in Power in Israel and Beyond (2024).

The International Friends of Standing Together (FOST) invite you to join a new series of webinars designed for all audiences interested in exploring alternative approaches to fostering inclusive and egalitarian politics in Israel. Our goal is to present the « theory of change, » the philosophy underpinning the actions of Standing Together, which involves the process of building a large-scale social and political movement. Key figures from the movement will share their insights on transforming conflict discourse through community building and the genuine empowerment of everyone involved.

Standing Together is the biggest grassroots movement organizing Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel against the occupation and for peace, equality, and social justice.