Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago I wrote to you urging support for Israelis trying to save lives in Gaza and to build a safer shared future.

Today I am writing to you as New Israel Fund begins an effort to raise urgent funds to provide humanitarian aid through World Central Kitchen (WCK) and International Rescue Committee (IRC).

These are world-renowned organisations working to feed people in desperate need. They need our support.

Our colleagues in Israel, team members and lay leaders, Jewish and Palestinian citizens, have initiated this appeal to offer Israelis – and supporters of Israel around the world – a way to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Already in the first hours of the campaign, nearly 200 Israelis have donated almost 50,000 shekels.

We were in touch with the World Central Kitchen before the tragic incident that took the lives of their heroic aid workers. With Israel opening the Erez Crossing and the Ashdod Port for aid delivery, the situation is changing. The scale of the need continues to increase, and so does the possibility to do something to help people in Gaza.

As an organisation committed to the vision of a democratic Israel at peace with its neighbours and itself, and to universal rights and human dignity, we feel it is our moral responsibility to try to help.

Just as we worked to alleviate the suffering of Israeli civilians in Israel after October 7 – and continue to do so, we cannot ignore the desperation and suffering of civilians in Gaza today. There should not be anything political or controversial about feeding the hungry. 

As Ramadan ends and Passover nears, two holidays that include festive meals, we must remember: Food is a fundamental right.

I am personally asking you to support humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

Thank you for your time, consideration and generous support.

Warm wishes,

David Davidi-Brown
Chief Executive, The New Israel Fund UK