New Initiative Boosts Israeli and Jewish Aid Professionals Globally

A new multi-year initiative has been launched to strengthen the participation of Israeli and Jewish aid and development professionals in international humanitarian forums, countering antisemitism and professional isolation following the events of October 7. The effort kicked off this week with a delegation of 22 professionals from Israel and six other countries attending AidEx in Geneva, one of the premier international events for humanitarian aid and development.

Led by OLAM in partnership with SID Israel and the Nura Global Innovation Lab, the two-year program includes funding assistance and professional mentorship before, during, and after major conferences. This support aims to ensure that Israeli and Jewish professionals can maintain their presence in arenas where global partnerships, resources, and priorities are shaped.

Research commissioned by OLAM among Jewish professionals working in non-Jewish international aid organizations revealed that a large majority experienced anti-Jewish bias or tension in their workplaces, with 85% expressing a strong desire to join a dedicated network for professional connections and mutual support. A similar picture of growing international challenges emerges among Israeli organizations.

According to a survey conducted by SID Israel among 20 organizations, companies, and academic programs in the humanitarian sector, 60% reported diminished capacity to raise funds or attract investors since the outbreak of the war. Furthermore, about 40% noted a decline in international collaborations, and over a third faced threats of terminated partnerships or actual cancellations.

The inaugural delegation comprises 22 members from seven countries, with over half hailing from Israel and others from the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and South Africa. Their expertise spans global health, refugee assistance, climate resilience, disaster response, and social entrepreneurship, bringing professional experience from dozens of nations.

AidEx brings together over 3,000 professionals from UN agencies, NGOs, governments, foundations, and the private sector. Unlike previous years or delegations from other nations, Israel was not officially represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or MASHAV, leaving civil society organizations and private professionals to lead the Israeli presence.

Outgoing Israeli Ambassador to the UN and International Organizations in Geneva, Daniel Meron, met with the delegates and emphasized the humanitarian imperative of international aid as a core Jewish and Israeli value. He noted that demonstrating tangible contributions to global welfare remains a powerful response to international criticism.

Participants receive comprehensive preparation, networking opportunities, and guidance tailored to navigating modern professional complexities. OLAM CEO Dyana Ginsburg and SID Israel CEO Ayelet Levin-Karp highlighted the collaborative strength of uniting the diaspora network with diplomatic ties and private sector innovation to build long-term professional resilience.