As the world recoils in horror at the unprecedented terror attack on Israel, many of us will be feeling helpless. But there are things you can do to show your support and help those in need. Here are some of the ways to help in the aftermath of the worst attack on civilians in Israel’s history.
1) Donate here to the Jewish Agency. The organisation is giving immediate aid to those whose homes were directly hit by rockets, and supporting those injured and evacuated to hospitals and the families of the deceased.
They said: “During Shabbat and Sukkot, hundreds and thousands of families in Israel entered the circle of victims of terrorism.
“As the Israel Defence Forces embark on Operation ‘Iron Swords’ we work to strengthen them while facing this event of unprecedented magnitude. The Fund for Victims of Terror of The Jewish Agency - together with our partners around the world - is mobilised to provide the victims with immediate assistance.”
2) Give to Magen David Adom. Israel’s medical emergency and blood bank service has launched an urgent appeal.
The service issued the plea after thousands of Israelis turned out to give blood this weekend resulting in what MDA described as a “tremendous overload”.
MDA is on red alert after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the country was in a state of war.
“Since the early hours of the morning, Magen David Adom has been on its highest possible alert level, with the response to the attacks under Operation Swords of Iron underway. All vehicles – ambulances, mobile intensive care units, medicycles, mass-casualty vehicles, bullet-proof ambulances and other specialised vehicles – are manned with teams prepared to respond,” the emergency service said.
MDA’s blood services are operating emergency blood drives to provide hospitals all over the country with supplies. It is the sole supplier of blood to the IDF and said it was responsible for more then 96 per cent of Israel’s blood supplies.
3) Join the Vigil for Israel outside Downing Street at 5pm on Monday. There will be a police presence. In Manchester, St Peter’s Square, outside the Central Library, on Wednesday, 11th October, 5pm.
4) Donate to UJIA, which has launched the Israel at War Community Appeal. UJIA will support the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Victims of Terror Fund, providing critical support to families and individuals whose homes were directly targeted in the attacks. UJIA has also identified a range of organisations that need support, which will receive funds raised from this appeal. There is a particular emphasis on those providing urgent trauma care to affected families.
UJIA chair Louise Jacobs said: "The needs of Israelis in the coming days and weeks will be immense and we hope to raise as much as we possibly can to provide critical support. 50 years ago, our community, through UJIA, raised many of millions of pounds to support Israel during the Yom Kippur War. We know our whole community will want to show the same love and solidarity with Israel right now.”
5) Donate here to Myisrael, which is coordinating its efforts with other funding organisations "to ensure that all donations we receive are used in the most impactful way possible", said CEO and founder Danni Franks. "The needs will become clearer in the coming days and weeks. What we do know is that there is going to be a huge demand for psychological support for children and adults who have experienced unthinkable trauma and loss that will shape the rest of their lives".
MyIsrael is organising Play For Peace, a morning of netball to raise funds for people affected by the terrorist attacks. If you would like to donate, please email: daisymaegershon@gmail.com
6) Donate to ambulance service Hatzalah. Their medical aid teams have been at work and under fire in southern Israel and brining much-needed supplies to the staging areas around the Gaza border in the conflict zones.
They said: "We are using ALL of our reserve medical supplies for this operation.
"Thank you to the hundreds of individuals who brought much-needed supplies for people in the south of Israel to our headquarters and logistics center today. Please keep them coming. Drinks, food, medical supplies."
(3 of 3) A very special message from our President @EliBeerUH in thanks for all of the help. pic.twitter.com/kt7mRQxC2h
— United Hatzalah (@UnitedHatzalah) October 9, 2023
7) Drop off supplies to help Israelis. GIFT is organising a collection event at their hub in Hendon on Monday and Tuesday.
You can find out more here: https://www.jgift.org/event-details/gift-for-israel
8.) Donate to British Emunah's emergency appeal to provide immediate relief and support to those who are most affected by the developing war.
Life at Emunah's children's homes has been turned upside down for the foreseeable future, with school cancelled and many staff mobilised for army service. There is an immediate need for extra staff and for activities to occupy and engage the children.
The Emunah Sarah Ronson Counselling Centre, located in Sderot near the border of Gaza, is an ongoing beacon of hope and healing for a traumatised community and is now providing vital care for those grieving the loss of loved ones and dealing with the heart-wrenching pain of missing family members.
The centre needs to scale up to provide therapy sessions, crisis interventions, and a safe haven for children, women, and families who have been displaced and traumatised by the attacks.
9.) Ezrat Achim is running an emergency center to help families and soldiers on the front lines!
-Cooked meals, toiletries, clothing, and food are being sent to soldiers throughout the country.
-Ambulances are evacuating families trapped in their homes.
-Packages are being sent to families who are lacking basic necessities.
-Our hotline is working night and day arranging temporary housing for families from the South and North of Israel.
Here is the link to donate and get a US tax receipt.
10.) Help StandWithUS
The link for people to donate: https://linktr.ee/swuuk
The link for people to keep up to date with the crisis: https://www.standwithus.com/situationroom
And if anyone would like to volunteer for StandWithUs UK, we're looking for social media and content creators, video editors, logistical planning and event coordination.
11.) Shaare Zedek Medical Centre is working to support those in Israel who have been affected by the war.
We are treating a number of victims evacuated to us from the south of Israel and those injured in rocket attacks in the Jerusalem area.
Staff have lost loved ones, our doctors and nurses have been called up to defend Israel.
These are very difficult days, but our work must continue. Please support where you can.
https://shaarezedek.org.uk/appeal/operation-swords-of-iron/
12. Hadassah UK has launched a Saving Lives Emergency Appeal to raise urgent funds to treat the hundreds of critically wounded civilians and soldiers being airlifted into Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem.
https://hadassahuk.org/donate/
13. Flowers in Honour of Shabbat is an initiative which has been launched in Israel to enable soldiers "to send something pampering and warm to their families who feel their absence at home", said project coordinators. "That way, all the mothers, children, brothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends will be able to receive a hug from afar."
You can donate to this project through the PayBox app: http://payboxapp.page.link/xYWdXQVhmPxtmpfYA
14. You can donate to WIZO UK's emergency appeal:
WIZO is on the ground dealing with the day-to-day impact of the terror of this horrific war. Aiding and housing traumatised and displaced refugees from the south; caring for the children of medical professionals so that they are free to save lives; providing critical supplies for bomb shelters; ensuring the physical safety and mental health of hundreds of youth in our care; sending food and supplies to our soldiers; and assisting any and all populations that are in need at the moment.
https://wizouk.org/israel-needs-you
15. Leket Israel's emergency relief efforts, in collaboration with local nonprofits, include:
- Hot Meals: Providing 10,000 hot meals daily to various at-risk groups, including evacuees in the Arava desert and individuals housebound and living under siege. Cost per meal is £5.
- Food Packages: Distributing 1,000 dry food packages daily to evacuees. Cost per package: £16.
- Direct Financial Support: Issuing 2,000 weekly renewable credit cards to displaced families for purchasing basic supplies. Cost per card per week: £53.
-Provisions for Infants: Supplying diapers and baby formula to 1,000 infants now in Eilat.
- In addition, Leket is supporting local farmers by purchasing 900 tons of produce, including avocado, citrus fruit, cabbage, cucumbers, and tomatoes, also providing free produce to restaurants and caterers preparing meals for evacuees. Furthermore, 500 dedicated volunteers are assisting farmers with crop harvesting.
To make a donation, please visit Leket Israel's official website: Donate Now
