IEF UPDATES
Israel Emergency Fund Allocation Report
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has always been a strong supporter of collective action, including the allocation of resources through our JFNA national system. The majority of our Israel and Overseas allocation supports core funding of longtime, trusted overseas partners. A smaller percentage supports our partnership with the city of Yerucham in the Negev desert, women’s issues in Israel, the Ethiopian-Israeli community, emergency medical response, religious diversity, food insecurity, special needs in Israel, as well as other work in countries outside of Israel in the FSU and Latin America.
Federation has taken the same approach for the distribution of Israel Emergency Funds. We contribute our fair share to the efforts identified by the national Federation system and also fund initiatives that are important to our community. To help guide the process of allocating IEF dollars, an Israel Emergency Allocations Subcommittee has been charged with making funding recommendations for approval by the Israel and Overseas Committee and the Federation Board of Directors.
Since October 7, Yerucham has mobilized to take in hundreds of families displaced from the Gaza Envelope. With a number of army bases in the region, they are also caring for IDF active-duty and reserve soldiers. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is providing direct allocations through the Israel Emergency Fund to the following initiatives in Yerucham:
Click here for details on Federation elective IEF allocations.
JFNA UPDATES
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation Israel Emergency Fund supports the work of our partners in Israel through the collective efforts of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Below are the latest updates about our work.
Click here for details on JFNA's allocations thus far.
May 6, 2024
The Latest
- Major rocket attack in the south kills four Israelis—additional attacks in the north.
- IDF orders the evacuation of parts of Rafah in apparent preparation for an assault on the city
- The hostage deal is still undecided
Rockets
- While the number of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel remains negligible on most days, a barrage of fourteen rockets and mortars was launched yesterday from Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom border station. Four Israeli soldiers were killed in the attack, and at least seven others were injured. The crossing, used for humanitarian aid trucks, was shut down due to the attack and truck traffic was halted.
- In the north, Hezbollah continues to fire at Israeli targets, triggering significant Israeli retaliations. Yesterday, over 65 rockets and mortars were launched into the Kiryat Shmona and Upper Galilee areas, causing property damage. Today, two people were seriously wounded after a drone launched by Hezbollah hit the Metula area. Shortly after the attack, the IDF struck 15 targets belonging to Hezbollah's Radwan Force at a military camp in Al-Lwazia in southern Lebanon. Watch an Israeli retaliatory strike on a terror target in Markaba, southern Lebanon, here.
- In the Red Sea, the US, the UK, and Israel continue to defend against attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Similarly, the US military continues to strike at pro-Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq.
Hostages
- According to many media reports, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are awaiting a final answer from Hamas on whether the terror group will accept the currently proposed deal that will see the release of some hostages. US Secretary of State Blinken has called the latest Israeli concessions “very generous,” and said that agreeing to the deal should be a “no-brainer” for Hamas. To date, the group has delayed issuing a response to the deal numerous times and appears to be trying to buy more time. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Israel has issued an ultimatum to Hamas that the IDF will begin its proposed attack on Rafah (see below) if the deal is not accepted by the end of this week.
- Numerous sources suggest that the proposal now on the table involves the release of 33 out of the 132 hostages being held. In return, Israel would free 40 terrorists (including many who are serving sentences for murder) in exchange for each of the female soldiers to be released, as well as 10 terrorists in exchange for each Israeli civilian. The deal is also purported to involve a halt to all fighting for an extended period, opening Gaza’s north for evacuees to return, and other conditions.
- Protestors in Israel have increased the scope and frequency of their demonstrations, blocking highways and assembling in major public places. The mother of one hostage has said she will begin a hunger strike to urge the government to show even greater flexibility and a willingness to compromise to reach a deal.
- The IDF, the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, and the Ministry of Health have notified the family of Elyakim Libman, who until now had been classified as a hostage, that he was murdered on October 7. DNA evidence showed that his badly-burned body was in fact inside the grave of another fallen soldier.
Read full update...
