IFCJ Boosts Northern Israel's Medical Infrastructure with $1.62M Donation

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) has announced a substantial donation to enhance the medical infrastructure in northern Israel. As tensions persist along Israel’s northern border, concerns about potential escalations involving Hezbollah or Iran have prompted the IFCJ to increase its support for the region.

This initiative is part of IFCJ's ongoing efforts to assist Israel during the current Israel-Hamas war, which has strained various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and food security.

The IFCJ has allocated two significant gifts to hospitals in the Galilee region. The Tzafon Medical Center (Poriya) will receive a $1 million donation to bolster its Trauma Unit, ensuring readiness to respond to recent attacks in northern Israel. Dr. Noam Yehudai, Director of Tzafon Medical Center, emphasized the importance of this support, saying, “We are the only medical center in the North that caters to the trauma needs of the entire area.” The center recently treated four individuals injured in the tragic events in Majdal Shams, highlighting the critical need for a well-equipped trauma unit.

In addition, the IFCJ is investing $620,000 in new equipment and medical supplies for the Italian Hospital in Nazareth, enhancing its capacity to provide essential care.

This support arrives at a crucial moment for northern Israel. IFCJ President Yael Eckstein recently highlighted the situation in Kiryat Shmona, near the northern border, where approximately 3,000 of the city's 20,000 residents have remained despite evacuation orders. These residents include community leaders committed to safeguarding infrastructure and vulnerable individuals unable to leave.

Homefront Security and Food Security

“The past ten months have proven that every part of Israel is vulnerable to attacks and that we need to ensure that we are investing in our homefront’s capacity to protect our citizens during times of peace and times of war,” Eckstein said.

Beyond medical support, the IFCJ has launched initiatives to address food security challenges. In July, the organization partnered with HaShomer HaChadash to initiate a $2 million program to support farmers across Israel. This collaboration responds to the substantial impact the ongoing conflict has had on the agricultural sector, with 89% of farms across Israel experiencing negative effects since October 7.

The IFCJ has been actively involved in food security projects, even before the current crisis. Last May, they dedicated a new food truck to distribute meals to those facing food insecurity, in collaboration with Leket Israel. This initiative is part of IFCJ's annual contribution of over $80 million towards various food security projects in Israel.

Since October 7, the Fellowship has allocated over $75 million to fortify Israel's homefront through diverse civilian defense and emergency response projects. Safwan Marich, Director of the Security and Emergency Response Division for IFCJ, emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting hospitals in the country's periphery, where medical infrastructure needs bolstering amidst escalating threats.

The IFCJ's efforts underscore a deep commitment to Israel's security and well-being, ensuring that the nation is prepared to meet challenges with resilience and strength. Stay informed about initiatives supporting Israel's communities by sharing this article or subscribing to our newsletter.