Following the Hamas-led surprise attack on Southern Israel on October 7th, 2023, Israel declared itself in a state of war and began attacking Palestine relentlessly.  As of May 22, there have been 35,709 reported fatalities, 79,990 reported injuries, and ~1.7 million persons internally displaced. Aside from the bombings and air strikes, the IDF has also been criticized for:

• Inadequate or nonexistent warnings before Israeli airstrikes

• As of May 10th, 254 aid workers and 492 health workers have been killed with some even being intentionally targeted such as workers of the World Central Kitchen (WCK)

• Denial/delay of humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip (food, medical, water, sanitation, etc.)

• As of March 27th, 212 out of 563 of school buildings in Gaza have received direct hits from the IDF. "No education is happening in Gaza at all for nearly six months," said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)

• Refused Egyptian-Qatai-backed ceasefire proposal while simultaneously taking control of Rafah

The involvement of the Koret Foundation with Israel is multifaceted, as they fund and support a variety of organizations working in and with Israel. This is not meant to deface the Koret Foundation, it is only to educate and point out what they support. Below is a list of organizations this foundation is partnered with:

• IsraAID - This is Israel's largest humanitarian aid organization and has used its reserves of volunteer medical professionals to provide emergency aid to 53 different countries. 

  • • After October 7th, IsraAID has regrouped in Israel and now works to evacuate citizens in southern Israel away from the Israel-Gaza border.

• JCRC - The Jewish Community Relations Council works to mobilize Jewish voices in the Bay Area, countering antisemitism and other forms of hate. Some notable releases from this organization are:

  • • A 2023 year-end survey concluding that antisemitism in the Bay Area has risen dramatically since October 7th, 2023

    • A statement before October 7th endorsing the Palestinian right to national self-determination as well as a statement 10 days after October 7th rejecting any form of hate towards all groups involved.

• USC Shoah Foundation - An organization originally committed to recording the testimonies of Holocaust survivors that refocused their attention to victims of the Hamas attack on October 7th.

• Tel Aviv University - set up psychological hotlines and sent out grants to reservists students

  • • provide emergency housing and other aid and supplies through drives

    • provide student volunteers for projects supporting soldiers and citizens

• Lev Echad (One Heart) - A civilian response organization that mobilizes volunteers in Israel and globally.

  • • since October 7th, One Heart deployed 4 initial situation rooms

    • had 16 situation room headquarters by October 21st

    • 50,000 volunteers to help:

      • • evacuated families

        • farmers in fields

        • spouses of reservists and permanent soldiers

        • deliver support for families of hostages

        • support soldiers in IDF bases before entry into Gaza

• Shalom Hartman Institute - Learning center for Jewish thought and education. Large collection of free educational materials.

  • • "Our mission is to strengthen Jewish peoplehood, identity, and pluralism; to enhance the Jewish and democratic character of Israel; and to ensure that Judaism is a compelling force for good in the 21st century"

• Museum of the Jewish People (ANU) - A museum dedicated to Jewish culture and education. They feature a wide variety of art and culture exhibits. Of particular note, ANU is responsible for:

  • • An October 7th exhibit with works by 25 different artists "examining how Israeli culture reacts to the war"

    • Leads the "Bring Them Home" volunteer-based video campaign which aims to both raise awareness and money. They aim to bring home the hostages taken in the October 7th attack

• Shalem College - staff, students, and alumni work together to aid in war efforts.

  • • immediately after October 7th, set up command centers to help with immediate war needs and bring aid to student reservists and soldiers

    • Joined Jerusalem Operations Center, Chamal Yerushalmi, which is a call center that fields requests from soldiers, displaced citizens, reserve soldiers, and any others in need of aid during these times

    • Raised $4 million with Operation Iron Swords Relief Effort which provides soldiers with hot meals and supplies, houses displaced Israelies, and provides daycare services to children