Reflections on the Relationship between the Government and Civil Society Organizations during the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Israeli Case

Hillel Schmid

doi:10.1515/npf-2021-0003

Abstract

Abstract The paper analyzes the relations between the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The paper presents the inconsistent policy of the government, which has been influenced by various interest groups and the very limited financial support allocated to CSOs during the health, economic and social crisis. The paper describes the government’s alienated attitude toward the CSOs as well as the reasons for that behavior. Special attention is devoted to the government’s misunderstanding of the mission and roles of CSOs in modern society, especially at times of crisis and national disasters. The paper also analyzes the organizational and strategic behavior of CSOs toward the government, which has also contributed to the alienated attitude of the government toward them. I argue that relations between CSOs and the government should be based on more trust, mutuality, and understanding on the part of both actors in order to change power-dependence relations, and that there is a need to establish more cross-sectoral partnerships for the benefit of citizens.

Highlights

Crises test the strength and sturdiness of relationships between individuals, communities, and organizations
The paper analyzes the relations between the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel
The paper presents the inconsistent policy of the government, which has been influenced by various interest groups and the very limited financial support allocated to CSOs during the health, economic and social crisis

Summary

Introduction

Crises test the strength and sturdiness of relationships between individuals, communities, and organizations. Schmid what has existed as well as a time for renewal, implementation of changes, and adjustments to a changing reality The premise of this commentary is that the Israeli government’s ambivalent attitude towards CSOs did not begin during the outbreak of this crisis, but rather has much deeper roots. These included demands from CSOs experiencing severe economic disruption This commentary begins with a brief description of the consequences of the crisis on organizations which provide social services and the results of their demands for economic support from the government. Studies on collaboration and cross-sector partnerships have been published extensively in the last few years (Almog-Bar and Schmid 2018; Gazley and Brudney 2007) This literature provides us with a firm basis for analyzing the relationship between the government and CSOs in general, and in Israel in particular

Government’s Policy toward CSOs

Policy and Organizational Behavior of CSOs in the Covid Crisis

Findings

Conclusions and Implications for Policy