Israel education charity UJIA has said that all 377 British participants on its gap-year and long-term programmes are safe amidst the worst terrorist atrocities the country has faced in 50 years.
A spokesman from the organisation’s UK office, which coordinates educational programmes and internships in Israel, told the JC:“All participants in UJIA-supported programmes have been confirmed safe and UJIA is in ongoing contact with them and with partners on the ground in Israel. “
He added that there were “no plans to cancel programmes at this time. We continue to monitor the situation very carefully.” Counselling would be available for those who needed it, he said.
A spokeswoman at UJIA’s Israel office wrote on the charity’s Facebook page that she was “taking the unprecedented step of writing from Israel when it is still Chag [a Jewish festival], following one of the most terrible days Israel has faced since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago.”
“Israel is at war and there is a sense of shock and disbelief[…] UJIA’s team in Israel are assessing emergency needs on the ground and closely monitoring a rapidly evolving situation.”
In the meantime, UJIA has launched an emergency appeal to raise funds for people whose homes were directly hit by the terrorist attacks and to provide trauma therapy. To donate, click on the link below and scroll down to UJIA Emergency Support:
