Israel Ranks Near Bottom Among Developed Nations in Foreign Aid Spending
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Israel invests only 0.05% of its national income in international aid, significantly below the 0.36% average of developed nations, according to a "Sid Israel" report. The organization cites fragmented government responsibility, lack of professional mechanisms, and funding barriers as key issues. It warns Israel is missing economic and political opportunities by not leveraging its expertise. Recommendations include creating multi-year support tracks and a dedicated governmental body.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's foreign aid spending is 0.05% of national income, far below the developed country average of 0.36%.
- A "Sid Israel" report highlights systemic failures in the country's international development and humanitarian aid.
- Fragmented government responsibility and funding barriers hinder Israeli companies and aid organizations.
- Israel is failing to leverage its expertise in key sectors, missing economic and political opportunities.
- The report recommends establishing multi-year support tracks and a professional governmental mechanism for aid.
Israel allocates only 0.05% of its national income to international aid, a figure significantly lower than the average of 0.36% among developed donor countries, according to a new report. This places Israel at the bottom of developed nations in terms of foreign aid investment. The report, compiled by "Sid Israel," an umbrella organization for Israeli professionals in international development and humanitarian aid, highlights systemic failures in the country's approach to foreign assistance.
Key issues identified include the low investment, fragmented responsibility across multiple government ministries, the absence of a permanent professional mechanism, and funding barriers that hinder Israeli companies from operating in developing markets. "Sid Israel" warns that Israel is failing to leverage its expertise in sectors like agriculture, water, health, energy, and innovation, thereby missing out on significant political and economic opportunities.
According to preliminary OECD data for 2025, Israel's official development assistance (ODA) amounted to approximately $308.8 million. While Israel is not a member of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC), its aid ratio is reportedly lower than all 34 member and partner countries.
The report further details a systemic breakdown in managing the field, with responsibilities, budgets, and tools dispersed among the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry, Innovation Authority, and other professional offices, alongside activities by civil society and the business sector. This lack of a unified framework impedes long-term policy planning and coordination.
Israeli aid and development organizations also face limited, sporadic, and irregular government support, making it difficult to build teams, establish local partnerships, and plan long-term operations. "Sid Israel" proposes multi-year support and contracting mechanisms to enable funding for development programs, humanitarian responses, and organizational capacity building. The organization also suggests adapting support schemes for developing markets and establishing an Israeli institution to leverage public capital and attract private and institutional funding for projects.
"Sid Israel" recommends several steps for the next government, including reviving an inter-ministerial committee, creating multi-year support tracks for organizations, expanding tools for Israeli companies in developing markets, increasing insurance coverage for Israeli volunteers abroad, and establishing a permanent, professional governmental mechanism for the field, potentially enshrined in legislation.