Ahali's mission is to strengthen and develop the effort of the Palestinian Arab minority in Israel in achieving their basic rights in the equality of opportunities, the distribution of resources, and the collective rights as a national minority through the organization of civil society structures in local and regional frameworks, further developing the work by providing the necessary training, organization, resources of information and modern tools of action.

Ahali, meaning people in community, was established in 1999 as a not-for-profit and non-governmental development organization. Ahali’s mission is to foster the Palestinian Arab minority’s struggle for full citizenship, equal distribution of national resources, and minority rights by strengthening grassroots activism through community organizing among Palestinian citizens in Israel.

• Increase political and social awareness of the Palestinian population in Israel motivating both individuals and communities to improve their personal situation and collective conditions.
• Assist the Palestinian population in Israel in developing the tools required to bring economic, social and political transformation in their communities.
• Raise the status of Arab rural women by empowering them to participate in economic, social and political activities, especially in regards to decision making processes within the family and the community.
• Develop the social foundations as well as support and strengthen the human elements required to achieve sustainable community development.
• Increase the social, economic, professional, organizational skills of Palestinians as a basis for improving their competitiveness at both a political and economic level.

Ahali was founded by a small group of concerned individuals within the Arab community, all of them contributing voluntarily of their time and abilities to the organization. These founders along with others (32 in total) constitute the membership of the General Assembly (GA). As Ahali’s highest authority, the GA meets once a year to approve the strategic plan, annual reports, audited financial reports, the annual budget and other important matters. It is also responsible for electing members of the Board of Directors and the Control Committee.

The Board of Directors consists of seven members, selected from the members of the council for renewable two year periods. The Board is responsible for the operations of Ahali, approving the annual work plan, operating budget, individual project budgets and the annual report. The board elects the General Director of the Association.

The Control Committee consists of three members elected for two year terms. The Committee analyzes the annual balance sheet and the accounts of Ahali recommending to the Council whether or not to approve them. It analyzes the performance of the General Director, the Board decisions and the GA recommendations.

The executive staff of Ahali includes the General Director, the Secretary and General Administrator. Additional staff is responsible for the design, editing and production of Ahali publications and printed material distributed to project participants. The organization pursues most of its objectives through project implementation and thus also has project directors, coordinators and regional workers. Occasionally, Ahali employs interns/volunteers to assist with special projects.