Billionaires finance Israeli military through US nonprofits
- FIDF raises tens of millions of dollars annually to support the Israeli military through various programs.
- The organization has received significant donations from wealthy individuals, including Bernie Marcus and Larry Ellison.
- Critics are increasingly questioning the ethics of these donations and their impact on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the United States, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), a nonprofit organization founded in 1981, raises substantial funds to support programs benefiting the Israeli military. Its operations focus on reinforcing the IDF's presence and supporting troops through various services, with a vision to ensure Israel's survival as a homeland for Jews globally. From 2018 to 2022, the organization received a total of $450 million in gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees. Recent tax disclosures revealed significant expenditures aimed at supporting over 50,000 soldiers, including funds for economic relief and support for lone soldiers, foreign recruits seeking to serve in the IDF. Beyond financial assistance, the FIDF has faced scrutiny for fostering strong ties between American Jewish identity and military support for Israel. Despite asserting that it does not take part in recruiting efforts for the IDF, the organization promotes a narrative linking American Judaism with the military's significance, raising complex discussions regarding Zionism and its impact on Jewish identity. Prominent billionaires like Bernie Marcus and Haim Saban have contributed millions to the FIDF, solidifying the group's role as a substantial operation maintaining American financial support for the IDF, amid ongoing debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ethics of such donations. As tensions rise regarding Israeli military actions, critics have called for greater accountability on how donations to organizations like the FIDF align with contemporary humanitarian issues. Recently, a group of Apple shareholders and employees demanded that the company cease matching donations tied to alleged Israeli atrocities. These actions signify a growing awareness and pushback against the traditional ties many American Jews hold with the IDF through organizations like the FIDF, representing a pivotal moment where philanthropy intersects with geopolitical conflicts. This increasing scrutiny reflects broader shifts in perspectives among younger generations regarding the support for Israel, and emphasizes the importance of discussing the implications of financial backing for military operations in the region.