Where to give money for Palestinian causes?

October 5, 2024 9:55 PM

I would like to donate some money to benefit the Palestinian people. Since humanitarian aid to Gaza appears limited by access more than funding, my first choice would be an organization that works for the legal rights of West Bank inhabitants. Who should get my money?

Importantly, the recipient needs to be morally unassailable - not just free from connections to violent and antisemitic groups, but as far above such accusations or suspicions as possible. AAn Israeli organization working for the rights of Palestinians would be fine (not just Palestinian orgs). I am in the USA and plan to give $1000-$2000, but tax deductions and such things are not important. Thanks!

posted by anonymous to Grab Bag (5 answers total)

Have you investigated Anera? They are pretty unassailable IMO, though they aren’t doing the kind of legal activism you talk about. They run kitchens, clinics, programs for education and mental well-being, community coordination, job training, water access, etc. The reason I like to donate to them is because they have actual people in Palestine working within their communities. They have a better perspective on how to be maximally effective with what they have. They have Gaza-specific funds you can donate to, or more general ones, and are also working in Lebanon and some other areas.
posted by Mizu at 1:54 AM on October 6, 2024 [6 favorites]

I think you may want Standing Together.
posted by shadygrove at 8:43 AM on October 6, 2024 [1 favorite]

American Friends Service Committee has been working Gaza and the West Bank since 1948. Scroll down here for information on current work.
posted by cushie at 2:45 PM on October 6, 2024 [3 favorites]

If you're still open to the idea of donating in a way that will benefit those in Gaza, you might look at Crips for eSims for Gaza (disability activist Alice Wong is among those who founded this project).

(May I add that the way your question is phrased ["free from connections to violent and antisemitic groups"] sounds as if you assume that Israeli groups are by definition morally unassailable, which is problematic to say the least given the reality of what is going on in Palestine.)
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 1:08 AM on October 7, 2024 [3 favorites]

You could consider Operation Olive Branch's direct aid program, which has funded the setup of a refugee camp in Gaza. They have been supporting perinatal health through this as well and work with a doctor who specializes in perinatal health who is in Gaza. They have had a lot of success so far.

If you want a Jewish/Israeli organization, there is B'Tselem. From their website: "The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories strives for a future in which human rights, liberty and equality are guaranteed to all people, Palestinian and Jewish alike, living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea."

UNRWA is also always a choice. Israel has made claims against UNRWA but they are unsubstantiated.
posted by urbanlenny at 11:37 AM on October 7, 2024 [2 favorites]