Man Sues "Yedidim" Charity for $680,000 Over Alleged Illegal Donation Requests

A man who previously received assistance from the volunteer organization "Yedidim" has filed a class-action lawsuit seeking NIS 2.5 million (approximately $680,000) against the charity. The plaintiff, Amit Vargift, alleges that after requesting help from the organization, he received donation requests via text message without his consent, in violation of Israeli communications law. "Yedidim," which provides free roadside assistance and other services to tens of thousands of Israelis annually through a network of 65,000 volunteers, argues that such a significant financial penalty could jeopardize its ability to offer free aid.

This is not the first legal action Vargift has taken against "Yedidim." In 2022, a similar lawsuit was settled with the organization paying him NIS 1,000 (about $270) as part of a compromise. Vargift reportedly sought assistance from "Yedidim" again in 2024 after his vehicle broke down, and subsequently filed the current class-action lawsuit a few months later.

In parallel to the legal proceedings, a group of thousands of drivers who have benefited from "Yedidim's" services, led by former Knesset member Avir Kara, have organized in opposition to the lawsuit. They assert that the suit does not represent their views and that they have only experienced essential, free assistance from the volunteers.

The "Yedidim" organization hopes the court will dismiss the lawsuit, warning that a substantial financial judgment could ultimately harm the public by impairing the charity's capacity to continue its free services. A representative for Vargift stated that the lawsuit is not against the volunteers but targets the alleged illegal sending of promotional messages to over a million people without consent. The plaintiff's side also claims the organization sent multiple messages annually and continued donation requests and even advertisements for a commercial website in 2026, contradicting the organization's assertion of sending only two messages per year and ceasing two years prior.