A New York City gala held by the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces (FIDF) yesterday evening raised $32 million for members of Israel’s occupation forces.
The event was attended by 1,200 US business people, as well as key figures from the Israeli establishment, including Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon and Israel’s Consul General in New York Dani Dayan. Army Chief of the General Staff, Gadi Eisenkot, was also slated to attend but was called back to Israel amid an escalation of Israeli air strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip yesterday.
Celebrating A Night Of Heroes. Celebrating the IDF women and men. Celebrating the solidarity of the American Jewry with the State of Israel and its defenders. Celebrating the @FIDF National New York Gala. pic.twitter.com/oWkekvOWwZ
— Dani Dayan (@AmbDaniDayan) October 17, 2018
Among the biggest donors to the gala were Or Lachayal – an organization which works to “strengthen the Jewish identity of the Israeli army” – which pledged $2.5 million and Nefesh B’Nefesh – which promotes Jewish immigration to Israel – which pledged $1.3 million, Arutz Sheva reported.
FIDF has a long history of fundraising for Israel’s occupation forces, the proceeds of which it then spends on “educational, cultural, recreational, and social services” for Israeli soldiers. It operates 20 offices across the United States and Panama, according to its own website.
Naji Zaneen, 25 was killed in the latest round of Israeli bombing of #Gaza. CNN reports on Israeli 'retaliation' against Gaza attacks. 70 years of ongoing genocide, yet Israel's gatekeepers in the US refuse to acknowledge the humanity of Palestinians https://t.co/vCFYA1elAW
— Ramzy Baroud (@RamzyBaroud) October 17, 2018
Support for the army from US organizations and the US government has been a cornerstone of Israel’s ability to continue its now 50-year-old occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Earlier this month the largest ever US military aid package to Israel – worth $38 billion over a ten year period – entered into force.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
