The Israeli-Palestine Conflict dates back to the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, resulting in the displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians. The region has since remained in a prolonged state of conflict, with tensions perpetually rising between the Jewish Israelis and Muslim Palestinians. On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas escalated the violence by attacking southern Israel, inciting a humanitarian crisis across the region. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities impacting Israel?

The best charities impacting Israel are the Jewish Federations of North America and IsraAID. Charities like Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah focus on responding to medical emergencies as quickly as possible.

Whether you want to help protect the mental health of those living through the crisis, fund the construction and maintenance of shelters, or deliver medical aid to those in desperate need, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities impacting Israel are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to donate.

Here’s What All the Best Charities Impacting Israel Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact, transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate internationally, utilizing the global community to rally for humanitarian aid.

Many of these charities fight to make sure that civilians have access to basic needs like food, water, and sanitation, while others focus on helping citizens and communities rebuild after conflict.

Some provide emergency medical aid to victims of war, while others work to care for the mental health of those impacted.

Yet, they all share a common goal; to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Israel and Palestine.

These Are the 9 Best Charities Impacting Israel in 2024

Below are our favorite charities impacting Israel (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Charities For Israel

Jewish Federations of North America

IsraAID

Magen David Adom

United Hatzalah

NATAL

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

Direct Relief

World Vision

Save the Children

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Jewish Federations of North America: Collaborative Fundraising Making a Big Impact

The Jewish Federations of North America was founded in 1999 with the merging of two historic Jewish-aid organizations—United Jewish Appeal and the Council of Jewish Federations—to provide relief to distressed Jewish communities. Today, they identify, support, and address the full range of social service issues affecting Jewish communities around the world, including those in Israel.

Jewish Federations of North America holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, with an overall score of 95% for Accountability & Finance.

“Building flourishing Jewish communities in your hometown and around the world.”

Jewish Federations of North America

Jewish Federations of North America raises and distributes billions of dollars annually to support Jewish communities around the world, including in Israel. For example, they utilize their network of local and international partners to respond to emergency crises, such as the Hamas-Israeli War, by funding basic needs like food and medicine. They also provide resources for emergency responders so they can help where they are most needed. And, they support Israel’s most vulnerable populations. For example, they provide job training programs for Israelis with disabilities and in-home services for the elderly.

Since their founding, Jewish Federations of North America has been a lifeline for millions of Jews and non-Jews, in Israel and around the world. For example, in response to the current conflict, they have raised over $638 million to distribute among organizations providing relief on the ground in Israel, including United Hatzalah, and Magen David Adom.

You can donate directly to Jewish Federations of North America through their website. You can also support the charity’s mission by getting involved with your local federation or attending an event.

IsraAID: Humanitarian Relief in Israel and Beyond

IsraAID was founded in 2001 as a coalition of Israeli organizations working to provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and international development. Today, they are the largest humanitarian aid organization in Israel.

Their impact and transparency ratings:

IsraAID holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“When the need is urgent, so is our response.”

IsraAid

IsraAID responds to emergencies and disasters and helps those affected rebuild their lives and communities. For example, they work to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable communities by providing emergency medical care, mental health support, essential items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions. And, in 2017, they launched their Emergency Response Fund to ensure that funds are readily available when unexpected crisis strikes. Furthermore, they partner with members of local communities to support long-term restoration through initiatives like risk reduction programs, child protection models, and hygiene campaigns.

Since their inception, IsraAID has been at the forefront of emergency responses and long-term development in more than 60 countries. In response to the ongoing conflict, they are working to protect Israeli citizens from both short-term and long-term threats. For example, they delivered and installed 42 rocket shelters throughout south Israel to protect citizens from ongoing attacks. And, they are preparing to help the region heal by operating mental health programs with an emphasis on helping children, such as child-and-parent-friendly spaces operated under the supervision of trained mental health professionals.

You can donate to IsraAid through their website, or donate directly to their Emergency Response Fund. You can also support their mission by hosting a speaker, attending an experiential learning program, or adopting an IsraAid Project.

Magen David Adom: Emergency Medical Aid, ASAP

Magen David Adom was founded in 1930 by a group of doctors in Tel Aviv, Israel to provide emergency medical aid in the wake of anti-Jewish riots. Today, they are Israel’s national emergency pre-hospital medical and blood services organization.

Magen David Adom holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Saving lives. It’s in our blood.”

Magen David Adom

Magen David Adom is Israel’s national aid organization, performing a variety of duties contributing to the health of Israeli citizens. For example, their Marcus National Blood Center collects, tests, processes, and distributes donated blood to hospitals across Israel. And, in addition to their network of almost 30,000 volunteer emergency medical responders, they employ over 1,000 certified paramedics, making them the largest paramedic provider in Israel. Furthermore, they operate over 200 emergency medical stations throughout Israel that serve as bases for paramedics and ambulances.

Since their founding, Magen David Adom has helped save millions of lives throughout Israel. In 2022 alone, they received close to 2,9 million calls for emergency help, and deployed more than 1,3 million emergency vehicles. Since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, they have treated over 6,500 people and supplied 100% of the blood needed by Israeli Defense Forces.

You can donate directly to Magen David Adom through their website. You can also support the charity’s mission by sponsoring lifesaving equipment or donating blood or breast milk.

United Hatzalah: Responding Before the First Responders

United Hatzalah was founded in 2006 by Eli Beer to provide emergency medical response to people in need. Today, they are the world’s largest and fastest community-based volunteer emergency medical services organization.

American Friends of Hatzalah holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“When seconds count… United Hatzalah is there.”

United Hatzalah

United Hatzalah provides immediate lifesaving medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. Utilizing their network of over 7,000 volunteers throughout Israel, innovative GPS-based technology, and a fleet of emergency medical vehicles, their average response time to an emergency is less than 3 minutes, and even faster in metropolitan areas. Their services are available free of charge to all people in Israel, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. They have been actively providing emergency medical care to victims of the ongoing conflict in both Israel and Palestinian territories. 

Since their founding, United Hatzalah has responded to over 6 million medical emergencies throughout Israel. They have been working tirelessly to supplement Israel’s existing medical system since the onset of the Hamas-Israel War, and are working to raise funds for necessary medical equipment to continue saving lives.

You can donate to United Hatzalah through their website, or donate directly to their war-related efforts. You can also choose to donate life-saving medical equipment, such as a Child Resuscitation Kit, a bulletproof vest, or a Rapid-Response E-Bike. 

NATAL: Supporting the Mental Health of Traumatized Citizens

NATAL- the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center was founded in 1998 by Jude Yovel Recanati and Dr. Yossi Hadar to support victims of war and terror in Israel. Today, they remain dedicated to preserving the mental health and resiliency of civilians impacted by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

American Friends of NATAL holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator gives as well as a Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Our hearts need an Iron Dome.”

NATAL

NATAL provides multidisciplinary mental health treatment to direct and indirect victims of war and terror-related trauma in Israel, regardless of religion or political affiliation. Their programs advance the resiliency of Israeli society through direct treatment, prevention, public awareness, and research. For example, their Clinical Unit provides both individual and group therapy to traumatized individuals. In addition, their Community Outreach Unit provides special programming throughout Israel to equip the population with skills to remain resilient in national emergencies. Furthermore, their Trauma Advocacy and Public Relations Unit works to normalize seeking psychological assistance for trauma.

Since their founding, NATAL’s services have reached more than 450,000 children and adults across Israel. For example, in 2022, a wave of terror attacks in Israel led to a 340% increase in calls to NATAL’s Helpline, indicating that an even greater increase will result from the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. And, Direct Relief has pledged a $200,000 grant to help NATAL treat victims of trauma during and after the ongoing conflict.

You can donate directly to NATAL through their website. You can also support the charity’s mission by attending training or utilizing their educational materials.

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee: Preserving Jewish Lives and Culture

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee was founded in 1914 to help the American Jewish community fundraise for Jews in Ottoman-ruled Palestine during World War I. Today, they are the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian organization.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“For over a century, we’ve put Jewish values into action when the world needs it.”

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee provides aid to vulnerable Jews around the world, including those living in poverty and those affected by the current Hamas-Israeli War. For example, they work to help Jewish people who are in immediate danger, including those in dangerous conflict zones, by providing medical aid, support, and evacuation when necessary. They are responding to the ongoing conflict by confronting the current and future needs of Israel, including trauma and mental health support, economic relief, and volunteer support. Additionally, they provide in-home medical care to over 80,000 elderly Jewish Holocaust survivors living in the former Soviet Union while also encouraging them to maintain their customs and traditions.

Since their founding, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has impacted the lives of millions Jewish people living in Israel and around the world. Prior to the onset of the current conflict, they served over 1 million Jews in Israel each week, a number that has likely increased due to need. For example, they are providing mental health services to traumatized children in South Israel, and training and deploying volunteers to fill employment gaps created by war.

You can donate directly to the American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee through their website. You can also support the charity’s mission by volunteering or starting a fundraiser.

Direct Relief: Medical Relief in Times of Crisis

Direct Relief was founded in 1948 by William Zimdin in the aftermath of World War II. Today, they provide targeted medical aid following major emergencies, including the ongoing Hamas-Israeli War.

Direct Relief holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Healthy People. Better World.”

Direct Relief

Direct Relief provides relief in humanitarian crises by equipping doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources. They are working with global agencies, like the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration to bring as much medical aid into conflict zones as possible. Furthermore, they are financially supporting their longstanding regional partners operating on the ground in conflict zones. For example, they committed to $1 million in Emergency Cash Assistance for Israel following the terror attack by Hamas.

Since their founding, Direct Relief has provided billions of dollars worth of medical support to people in crisis. For example, in 2022 alone, they distributed over $2 billion in total aid across 97 countries around the world. In addition to providing medical kits containing essential medicines and other supplies, they have pledged $200,000 in grants each to humanitarian organizations throughout Israel, like United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom. 

You can donate to Direct Relief via their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering or participating in a Direct Relief Gaming fundraiser.

World Vision: Helping Children in the Crossfire

World Vision was founded in 1950 by Robert Pierceto to support Christian mission services for families impacted by crises in East Asia. Today, the charity is the largest international non-governmental organization committed to improving the lives of impoverished children around the world, including those in regions impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

World Vision holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Pulling up the roots of poverty and planting the seeds of change.”

World Vision

World Vision is responding to the humanitarian crisis impacting Israel by supporting the most vital needs of local communities. For example, they are providing rapid emergency supplies to families who have lost their homes. They are also creating safe spaces for community members to support each other by restoring spaces destroyed by conflict and constructing new ones. Furthermore, they are offering psychological services to help children and families process the emotional toll of war and lead the path toward healing.

Since their founding, World Vision has improved the lives of millions of children impacted by humanitarian crises. They have worked in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank since 1975, creating one of the most extensive community-based presences among organizations operating in the region. For example, in 2023, they helped more than 136,000 people in 150 villages across the West Bank.

You can donate to World Vision via their website, or donate directly to the Middle East Crisis Response. You can also support the charity by sponsoring a child.

Save the Children: Providing Resources to Save Lives

Save the Children was founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb to end the suffering of children impacted by World War I in Europe. They were the first global organization dedicated to serving children’s needs, especially those struggling to survive humanitarian crises, such as the Hamas-Israeli conflict.

Save the Children holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“All children deserve a healthy start in life.”

Save the Children

Save the Children is dedicated to ensuring children and families in Israel and Palestine have access to basic survival necessities, and helping them return to normal once violence has subsided. For example, as some organizations struggle to overcome barriers to delivering life-saving supplies across borders, Save the Children successfully delivered 45,000 water bottles to children and families in need. And, as aid is more easily rendered, they will continue to help children return to normal by rebuilding schools, distributing more essential supplies, and providing mental health and psychosocial support. 

Since their founding, Save the Children has changed the lives of over 1 billion children. They have provided aid for every major humanitarian crisis since World War I, helping 118 million children in 116 countries become healthier, safer, and better educated. Moreover, they have been providing essential services and support to Israeli and Palestinian children impacted by ongoing conflict since 1953, and established a permanent presence in the region in 1973.

You can donate to Save the Children via their website. You can also support the charity by participating in a fundraiser, volunteering, or sponsoring a child.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities impacting Israel. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to impacting Israel—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

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