The Chai Charitable Foundation is facilitating donations to Brothers for Life, an Israeli organisation providing support services to soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). What’s the scam?
The scam is Chai donors are getting a tax-deduction for an organisation that assists the IDF war efforts, which the UN has declared are in contravention of human rights.
The organisation has come under scrutiny this week following coverage of a “healing delegation” that brought female IDF combat soldiers to Australia, framed as part of a recovery and well-being program for soldiers following their service.
The delegation’s itinerary in Melbourne included activities such as puppy yoga, a MasterChef-style cooking challenge, school visits, and day trips to the Mornington Peninsula hot springs, wineries, surfing experiences and Phillip Island.
Previous investigations by MWM found the foundation had hosted online fundraisers linked to Israeli military units and settlements in the occupied West Bank. After initially denying such links, Chai removed these fundraising pages after questions were raised by MWM.
United Israel Appeal. Charity channels tax free donations direct to IDF soldiers