Australian charity funnelling millions in donations directly to Israeli soldiers: Report
An Australian charity, which says it raises funds for humanitarian causes in Israel, transferred nearly $29m in donations in 2024 to Keren Hayesod, a self-described "pillar" of the state of Israel and its "national priorities", which include support for members of the Jewish diaspora who come from around the world to enlist in the Israeli army.
Israel's genocide in Gaza was at its peak in 2024, with more than 100 people being killed each day, the majority of them women and children.
The charity in question is United Israel Appeal (UIA) Australia. It is Keren Hayesod's fundraising arm in the country.
UIA's 2026 gala is set to feature former Israeli ambassador to the US and top advisor to the Israeli prime minister, Ron Dermer, as the headliner.
Since it began reporting its financial status in 2013, the Australian charity has been sending the bulk of its tax-free donations and sponsorships collected from Australians to Keren Hayesod, financial disclosures released by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission showed.
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That amounts to nearly $300m altogether.
The figures were first reported by the independent news outlet, Michael West Media.
Funds from around world
UIA's self-described mission in the short-term is "the relief, welfare, maintenance and education including transport to Israel, of persons suffering persecution, famine or other forms of physical or economic hardship in countries outside the State of Israel".
Its long-term mission, UIA added, is "integration into Israeli society... [and] vocational training of persons" suffering from the afflictions named above.
It's unclear how diaspora Jews voluntarily travelling to Israel to join the army after the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent war on Gaza fit into that mould.
Middle East Eye reached out to UIA Australia for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.
Keren Hayesod's funds are almost entirely raised outside Israel through its charity arms in 45 countries, and it puts some of that money towards its "Wings Lone Soldier" programme, which creates a "support network" for immigrant soldiers who need help to readapt to civilian life.
The objective is to help them make a home in Israel, as Jewish immigration - known as aliyah - is one of the organisation's most prominent missions.
Of the 2,200 "lone soldiers" Keren Hayesod supported in 2024, 65 percent chose to stay in Israel, the organisation's 2024 impact report said.
A December report by The Jerusalem Post said Keren Hayesod collected $645m from around the world to support Israel during its genocide in Gaza, from 2023 to 2025. Over 71,500 Palestinians have been killed in the war on Gaza.
The organisation was first conceived in 1920, at the World Zionist Congress, as a direct response to the Balfour Declaration's call for immigration to a Jewish home in British Mandate Palestine.
"We, as a national institution and our counterparts, the World Zionist Organization, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Jewish National Fund comprise the four pillar national institutions of the State of Israel, all of which enjoy a special protected legal status," Keren Hayesod says on its website.
UIA has offices in the US and Canada.
UIA USA raises funds for The Jewish Agency for Israel, while UIA Canada raises funds for Keren Hayesod.
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