In April 2024, +972 Magazine published a bombshell piece of reporting. Their article, “‘Lavender’: The AI machine directing Israel’s bombing spree in Gaza,” co-published with the Hebrew language news site Local Call and The Guardian, unearthed how the Israeli military utilized an AI system called “Lavender,” with very little human oversight, to direct their bombing of Gaza. The new documentary film, NAZA, which won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and has been making waves globally, builds on this reporting and other investigations published by the three outlets.

What makes this impactful investigative journalism possible? In addition to the courage of the journalists involved, many independent news outlets today rely on substantial investment from the philanthropic sector to power their work.

Join us for a timely conversation with Noa Yachot, senior editor for news and features at The Guardian US and board member at +972 Magazine; Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD, director of programs and partnerships at the Foundation for Middle East Peace and board member at Jewish Currents; and Annie Chabel, CEO of The Intercept. The three of them will dive into the impact of narrative change work, the resources it requires, and the philanthropic support we need to sustain work that speaks truth to power.

Join us on November 9 in Washington DC, or online. Location details will be provided after registration. 

Time: Doors open in-person at 6:30, event starts at 7.

Location: Washington, DC 

Session 2: AI, Gaza, and Funding Work That Uncovers the Truth: Washington, DC November 9th at 7pm ET 

Featured Speakers

Panelists:

Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD, Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Foundation for Middle East Peace and Jewish Currents board member

Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD, works at the intersection of human and civil rights advocacy, philanthropy, and education, with a special focus on Israel/Palestine. She is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), where she leads programming, works to deepen FMEP’s relationships with existing and potential grantees, and builds relationships with philanthropic and other partners. She co-founded the Palestinian Voices Study Group, a program that guides Jews in leadership positions through rigorous engagement with Palestinian texts in an effort to develop empathy, insight, and tools for engagement. Sarah Anne earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley for research focusing on Jewish American identity, the sociology of emotion and nationalism, and Jewish relationships to Israel/Palestine. She is a trained community mediator.

Noa Yachot, +972 Magazine Board Member, and senior editor for news and features at The Guardian US

Noa Yachot is a senior editor at the Guardian. She works across news, features and investigations teams on coverage linked to US dimensions of the Israel-Palestine story, along with other pressing issues relating to civil liberties and power. She also oversees the Guardian's "featured essay", which is published on Sundays, and was a co-producer on the film NAZA. Prior to joining the Guardian, she edited at the ACLU, +972 Magazine (where she is a board member), and Haaretz. She is based in New York.

Moderator: Annie Chabel, CEO of the Intercept

Annie Chabel is The Intercept’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer.  Annie was previously the Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Investigative Reporting, where she oversaw all business operations for the organization and served as interim CEO in 2021. During her time at CIR, Annie developed organizational strategy, improved and professionalized CIR’s financial management and operations, and worked to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Prior to serving as the CIR’s COO, Annie focused on institutional fundraising and philanthropic partnerships, significantly expanding the organization’s foundation giving. Annie served on the Institute for Nonprofit News’s Emerging Leaders Council in 2021. She is based in the Bay Area.