A pluralistic and inclusive Palestine requires strong, transparent and democratic institutions. Civil society and civic engagement have always formed the backbone of Palestinian society and the Palestinian struggle. Today, these things are needed more than ever to build the systems and institutions we wish to represent us. In this panel, we will explore questions such as: What are the challenges to civic engagement under Palestinian laws and the different authorities? How is the current crackdown on Civil Society Organizations informing decision-making? What are the implications of defining “good civil society” vs “bad civil society” by international funders? And what actions are needed to build a more democratic society?