For the past several years, Jerusalem’s streets have been dominated by activists. Protests occur regularly, whether against the government’s judicial reform proposals or calling for the return of the hostages. As a result, many protest organizations, once known exclusively among activist circles, have jumped in notoriety. Groups like Standing Together and Brothers in Arms have become household names.
One such organization is Shomrim al Habayit Hameshutaf (Safeguarding Our Shared Home), whose members regularly attend protests in Jerusalem. Although they are officially nonpartisan, they wear their Religious Zionist roots on their sleeve. A 2023 article in The New Yorker compared them to Republicans who oppose US President Donald Trump, fearing for the state of Israel’s democracy, as well as what they perceive as the distortion of what it means to be a Religious Zionist.
Eyal Gur is one of its leaders. A publicist by trade, Gur was motivated to activism by his religious values. Under his guidance, the organization has grown and is taking a stand against major issues facing Israeli society.
In Jerusalem spoke with Gur about his work.
How long have you lived in Jerusalem?
I’ve been living in Jerusalem for 21 years now. I grew up in the Krayot, near Haifa, but I’ve made Jerusalem my home with my wife and our four children in the Arnona neighborhood. Professionally, I have been involved in marketing communications for almost 30 years, 10 of them at the McCann TLV agency. Here in Jerusalem, I founded my advertising agency, Dwoka. This city is where our family set down roots.
What got you into activism?
It stems from growing up in a home that perfectly combined social responsibility, Torah, and work – my father is a skilled carpenter, and my mother is a teacher who has won awards.
For three decades, I have been leading meetings to connect all parts of Israeli society because I understood that communal isolation and social divisions endanger the future of the country. The understanding that “a house divided cannot stand” drives everything I do.
Tell me about Safeguarding Our Shared Home.
It is a grassroots Jerusalem civic initiative that was formed in early 2023 out of concern for Israel’s democratic future. We’re citizens from across the political spectrum – Right and Left, secular and religious, Jews and non-Jews – who came together when we saw the inflammatory discourse and legislative threats against the judicial system and fundamental rights.
Our challenge is to connect different aspects of the spectrum, to fight the destructive steps being taken by politicians. We focus on protecting the judicial system’s independence and preserving Israel as both Jewish and democratic.
What sets us apart is our complete independence to demonstrate when necessary, stand up to government officials who we think are making bad decisions, and to directly address their constituents who do not always agree with one another.
How has your activism changed since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel?
Since Oct. 7, our focus has expanded significantly. We established the Jerusalem Emergency Center to help soldiers, families, and evacuees, and we reestablished it again with the start of the war with Iran. We also joined with the Jerusalem Hostages Headquarters and now organize Saturday night demonstrations at Paris Square, demanding elections and the release of hostages. The principle remains clear: We don’t abandon anyone.
As someone who personally knows families of hostages, those who were murdered, and fallen soldiers, I believe we do not have the privilege to abandon even a single person to these murderers.
How is it that religious parties have forgotten what it means to be Religious Zionists?
The party that presumes to represent us has stolen our name through deception and also corrupts our essence. A party that ran on the same ticket as Otzma Yehudit doesn’t reflect the values of the absolute majority of the Religious Zionist public – not in Torah, not in values, and certainly not in matters of religion, state, and military service. They took the name of an entire demographic but represent neither Zionism nor religiosity.
Do you think the change you’re fighting for is possible?
Yes, because I’ve seen it work for three decades through initiatives I’ve founded and organized. I created Halila lo lomdim Torah [Tonight We Don’t Study Torah] 27 years ago, together with Erez Eshel and Gal Nakdimon – a Tisha B’Av event that became a national brand and was the first to bring the story of the Ninth of Av from synagogues into Israel’s public space.
Sukkot Habayit Hameshutaf [Sukkot of the Shared Home], which I initiated, is now a joint project of Safeguarding Our Shared Home with Project 929. It proves that Israelis from all areas of the political spectrum can come together.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that my method of listening to everyone’s fears works because in every case, we’re dealing with the very human fears of people who feel that their voices aren’t heard. My personal commitment stems from the belief that we have a mission in the world, and we have a duty to move it in the right direction. This is tikkun olam.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to get involved with activism?
I have a few rules for activism: Know what’s happening around you; delve deeper into an area that’s important to you; be creative in your activism; and never stop believing that change is possible. And, by extension, listen to the news from more than one media outlet.
Be skeptical but also optimistic. Listen with sensitivity to the voices of the people with whom you want to work together to make change. Consider what is most important to you – for the sake of your country. Be creative with your activism. And most importantly, don’t be afraid.
Where can people learn more about your organization?
We are working hard to bring everything that happens in Jerusalem online. We are on all social media platforms. I invite everyone to listen to a lot of the fascinating content that we have uploaded to our YouTube channel – there are lectures and meetings with experts, as well as protests and speeches. You can also find links to our WhatsApp groups, where we share a lot of information. And yes, there is also a group in English.
The best way to learn from us is to join us on the streets of Jerusalem.