Israeli Army Volunteers: U.S. Nonprofits & Millions in Funding
Lone Soldiers, blurred Lines: How Support for Israeli Military Efforts in Gaza Operates
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The growing Network of lone Soldier Support
The aftermath of the october 7th attacks has seen a significant surge in support for Israel’s military, particularly for “lone soldiers” – individuals serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) without immediate family in the contry. Organizations dedicated to their welfare have seen a dramatic increase in both activity and funding, raising questions about the nature of their support and its potential implications.
Funding and Operations: A Rapid Expansion
One prominent association, Jewcer, has been actively raising emergency funds to assist lone soldiers. Their efforts focus on practical needs, such as transporting soldiers to their bases and providing essential supplies in the field.
Another group, Bayit Brigade, has gained attention for its visible support of specific IDF units. Videos posted by the organization showcase volunteers delivering resources to the Yahalom Unit, an elite engineering corps specializing in tunnel warfare and demolitions in Gaza. This unit plays a crucial role in clearing areas for military operations. Bayit Brigade’s financial records reflect this increased activity, with revenue jumping from approximately $160,000 in 2022 to $1.3 million in 2023, according to nonprofit documents. In a statement to The Intercept, the group clarified that while they “temporarily expanded its community support efforts to address urgent needs on the ground” following October 7th, they maintain “no formal relationship with any government entity or with the IDF.”
The distinction between providing humanitarian aid, educational outreach, and direct military support can become indistinct, especially concerning lone soldiers. As noted by Strober,a former lone soldier,the lines are often blurred. Some organizations, like Garin Tzabar, operate with partial involvement from Israel’s Ministry of aliyah and Integration, indicating a more direct, albeit partial, affiliation. In contrast, groups like Bayit Brigade actively distance themselves from any formal government ties.
Broader Support Networks Emerge
Beyond these examples, other organizations are also publicly aligning themselves with soldiers who have served in Gaza. Friends of Emek Lone Soldiers, as a notable example, has organized events, including concerts held in the West Bank for women who served in the Gaza conflict.The Michael Levin Lone Soldier Foundation’s website features testimonials from soldiers who received assistance while deployed in Gaza, further highlighting the widespread nature of this support.
A Former Lone Soldier’s Evolving perspective
Strober, who served as a lone soldier, shared her evolving perspective on the conflict. While initially identifying as a human rights advocate, her experiences within the military, particularly during the 2014 Gaza conflict, led to a profound shift in her understanding. At the time, she was involved with a human rights organization focused on Gazan freedom of movement. The Israeli military’s actions in 2014 resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians in less than two months.
“I didn’t realy know anything about Gaza,” Strober recounted. “It was kind of the first time that I had any concept of who Palestinians were on the other side and how much control Israel had.”
Witnessing friends being called up for reserve duty, Strober found herself unwilling to participate in operations in Gaza. “I just remember thinking, I’m not going to go zero in guns to kill Gazans when I’m talking to Gazans on the phone every day,” she stated, reflecting on the moral complexities she encountered.