Between Zakat and Social Justice: Exploring Philanthropy in the Palestinian Community in Israel

Background and Purpose:
Philanthropy serves as a vehicle for enhancing both individual well-being and broader societal development. Rooted in various theoretical approaches—including altruism, social identification, modernization, and social exchange—philanthropic behavior is driven by multiple motivations, with religious beliefs often playing a central role. This study explores the intersection between spiritual frameworks and philanthropic practices within an ethnic minority context, focusing specifically on the Palestinian community in Israel. It examines the motivations behind individual, strategic, and informed philanthropic actions across different religious affiliations, including Islam, Christianity, and the Druze faith.

Methods:
Adopting a qualitative research design, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 Palestinian citizens of Israel who self-identify as philanthropists. Of the participants, thirteen were male, and two were female; the majority identified as Muslim. Approximately half of the interviewees were members of “Quadra,” the first Arab philanthropic network in Israel. The sample reflects a cross-section of donors engaged in formal and informal giving practices, community development, and strategic philanthropy.

Findings:
The findings confirm well-established global motivations for philanthropic giving, including emotional responses to crises and humanitarian emergencies, the desire for self-sufficiency, the pursuit of social status, altruistic drives, and even philanthropy for personal financial benefit. In addition to these recognized motives, the study uncovers two key motivations particularly salient within the Palestinian minority in Israel. First, religious obligation emerges as a strong driver of philanthropic behavior—especially within Islamic traditions where charity (zakat) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Second, participants expressed a strong commitment to addressing structural inequalities, viewing philanthropy as a mechanism to counteract socio-economic disparities between Arab-Palestinian and Jewish citizens in Israel. These findings underscore the role of giving not only as a spiritual or emotional act but also as a form of resistance and community empowerment within marginalized groups.

Implications:
Understanding the complex interplay between religious belief systems, socio-political contexts, and philanthropic behavior among ethnic minorities provides essential social work research and practice insights. Social workers can apply this knowledge to design culturally responsive interventions that engage with existing philanthropic values and networks within minority communities. Moreover, acknowledging the diverse motivations behind philanthropic behavior can support more effective resource mobilization, partnership development, and advocacy to reduce structural inequalities and promote inclusive social change. By situating philanthropy within a broader framework of collective responsibility and community resilience, this study offers theoretical and applied contributions to social work, community development, and minority studies.