New Israel Fund Discloses $35.8 Million in 2024 Grants to Diverse Organizations
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
The New Israel Fund has disclosed grants totaling $35.8 million for 2024 to a wide range of Israeli organizations, including protest groups, human rights advocates, and a Haredi women's organization. The funding, revealed by Galatz, supports various causes from public protest to liberal agendas and opposition to government policy. Critics argue the fund influences Israeli politics with foreign money, while the fund supports diverse initiatives, some of which are detailed with specific dollar amounts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The New Israel Fund granted $35.8 million in 2024 to various Israeli organizations.
- Grants went to protest groups, human rights organizations, and a Haredi women's group.
- Recipients include "HaGush HaDemokrati" ($415,000) and "Breaking the Silence" ($100,000).
- The fund is criticized for influencing Israeli politics with foreign donations.
- A Haredi women's organization, "Nehrot," received $50,000.
The New Israel Fund has distributed grants totaling $35.8 million in 2024 to a wide array of organizations, including anti-government protest groups, human rights organizations, political and social initiatives, and even an organization working with Haredi women. The information was revealed by Tuvia Yagilnik on Galatz.
Founded in the U.S. in 1979, the New Israel Fund is a prominent funder of left-wing and civil society organizations in Israel. It raises tens of millions of dollars from international donors and foundations, channeling them to groups involved in public protest, promoting liberal agendas, advocating for Palestinian rights, and opposing government policies. Critics on the right accuse the fund of using foreign donations to shape Israel's political discourse and influence its policies without public accountability.
Among the recipients is the Haredi women's organization "Nehrot," which received $50,000. Other grantees include "Ha'Smol Ha'amoni" ($80,000), "Bnei Avraham" ($45,000), the Israel Religious Action Center ($50,000), and the Israel Women's Network ($50,000).
A significant portion of the grants went to protest and public activism groups. "Ha'Gush Ha'Demokrati" received $415,000, "Machzikkim" received $275,000, and "Fake Reporter" received $345,000. Additionally, $200,000 was allocated to "Beit Radical," also associated with the "Mitachat La'Radar" news page, with identical sums going to "Omdim Beyachad" and "HaMetei Ha'Ezrachi."
Legal and advocacy groups also received substantial funding: The Association for Civil Rights in Israel received $465,000, Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel received $190,000, and "Breaking the Silence" and "Yesh Din" each received $100,000. "Physicians for Human Rights" received $50,000, and "Mitzmorim LaKibush" received $45,000.
In political action and public campaigns, the fund provided $240,000 for a joint project by the Mitvim Institute and the Berl Katznelson Foundation, $175,000 for a joint lobbying project by "Shalom Achshav" and the Geneva Initiative, and $140,000 for a joint campaign by "Derech No" and "Commanders for Israel's Security." The "Hגיע Zman Coalition" received $200,000.
Further grants included $100,000 to "Yozmot Avraham," $55,000 to the Association of Ethiopian Jews, and $75,000 to "Ra'it Et HaOfek Lo'achrona?". An equal sum was transferred to "Otef Atzirim," which provides legal support for demonstrators arrested during anti-government protests.
The Zulat Institute, founded by former Meretz chair Zehavit Galon, received $120,000, the Movement for Freedom of Information received $80,000, and "Amram" received $30,000. The report indicates this is only a partial list, as the New Israel Fund has additional support channels with undisclosed recipients.