New Israel Fund launches humanitarian aid for Gaza fund-raising campaign

A new campaign to raise funds for humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza through the World Central Kitchen (WCK) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) organisations has been launched by the New Israel Fund (NIF).

The organisation -a partnership of Israelis and supporters around the world – said that in the first hours of the campaign over 200 Israelis had donated thousands of pounds.

Shira Ben-Sasson Furstenberg, NIF associate director in Israel said: “I have known us to do humanitarian help, twice, once for Israelis during the pandemic and then again for the communities devastated by the Hamas atrocities on 7th October. 

“This is not just our moral obligation, but our Jewish and halachic responsibility. Our hostages are also relying on this food to reach Gaza, including a hostage who is very dear to me. 

“Both of my grandmothers, one in Hebron, and one during the Holocaust, were saved by people from another nation, who risked themselves in saving my grandmothers’ lives. For me, this is personal. I feel obligated to try to save the lives of my neighbours.”

Mickey Gitzin, executive director of the New Israel Fund in Israel, and who was already in touch with World Central Kitchen before the tragic incident where seven aid workers were killed, said: “There’s nothing more powerful than seeing Jews and Israelis coming together for this objective.”

An earlier campaign from the New Israel Fund in the UK had already signposted supporters and the community in the UK to World Central Kitchen as well as raising awareness and support. for humanitarian efforts.

David Davidi-Brown, chief executive of New Israel Fund in the UK said: “We have tried to hold many varying perspectives and conflicting emotions and offer a way for those close to and deeply connected to Israel – yet appalled by the devastation, death and hunger in Gaza – to take action.

“In a world where it is often easier to take one side or respond with simplistic slogans, we are trying to show it is possible to respond to the horror of this war with compassion for all affected communities, and whilst recognising complexity.”

Ex-Labour minister David Miliband oversees the IFC’s operation as itworks in more than 50 countries and over 20 U.S. cities to help people affected by humanitarian crises to survive.

WCK provided meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises, but was forced to retreat from Gaza after the killing of seven aid workers, including three Brits earlier this month.

More information: https://newisraelfund.org.uk/food-and-aid-in-gaza/