Wikimedia Israel works to raise awareness about the importance of free knowledge and to encourage active and creative digital citizenship. As part of this mission, we promote the use of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia Foundation projects as open platforms for sharing and accessing knowledge.
According to the findings of a survey published in June 2024 among the Israeli public, approximately 90% of the general public use Wikipedia regularly, with 60% of them accessing the site at least once a week. For most users, Wikipedia serves as a central source of information, providing reliable and accessible answers. About half of the respondents stated that they primarily visit the site to expand their general knowledge, while teenagers mainly use it for educational purposes.
The survey also revealed the importance of developing editing skills and improving content among the public, as most users who encountered information requiring correction either did not know how to fix it or were unaware that they could.
Furthermore, Wikipedia is perceived as a highly reliable source of information, second only to official sources, according to the majority of respondents in Israel. In contrast, the issue of “fake news” on social media and the internet as a whole remains a significant concern, with around half of the respondents reporting they had already encountered fake or misleading content.
In addition to promoting the creation of free knowledge, we also focus on cultivating awareness for the critical consumption of information. We run workshops, lectures, and educational initiatives aimed at equipping individuals with tools to identify reliable information and to critically assess online sources.
In line with our commitment to increasing participation of underrepresented populations in knowledge creation, we carry out advocacy initiatives designed to encourage the development of content on marginalized topics, celebrate efforts to expand knowledge in these areas, and bring new voices and expertise into Wikimedia projects. We achieve this through public campaigns, writing competitions, and collaborations with social organizations.
