one-israel-fund settlement-funding us-nonprofit west-bank far-right-israel
related: Israel Lobby Israel-Palestine West Bank Settlements
Who They Are
One Israel Fund is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that functions as a fundraising vehicle for West Bank settlements and settlement-linked organizations in occupied Palestinian territory. The organization claims to support “Israeli communities” but operates transparently as a funder of Israeli settler organizations explicitly committed to expanding settlements in the West Bank and opposing Palestinian statehood. One Israel Fund’s U.S. tax-exempt status means that American donors can claim tax deductions for contributions that fund settlement expansion in occupied territory.
What They Want
One Israel Fund’s core interest is expanding Israeli settlements across the West Bank, funding settlement-linked organizations, supporting Israeli settlers in disputed territories, and opposing Palestinian self-determination. The organization wants to maintain the settler movement’s political power within Israel while mobilizing American support for settlement expansion. One Israel Fund supports far-right Israeli political parties and organizations committed to preventing Palestinian statehood and expanding Israeli control of Palestinian land.
Who They Fund
One Israel Fund directs contributions to Israeli settlement organizations, settler municipal governments, and institutions serving Israeli communities in occupied territory. The organization has funded various settlement-linked nonprofits, including organizations providing services to settlers specifically to strengthen their presence in settlements and resist Palestinian territorial claims. One Israel Fund’s fundraising networks connect wealthy American donors (often politically conservative Evangelical Christians and pro-Israel billionaires) with Israeli settlement organizations.
What They’ve Gotten
One Israel Fund has funneled tens of millions of dollars from American donors into West Bank settlement expansion, allowing that expansion to continue despite international opposition and U.S. law prohibiting assistance to settlements. American donors have received U.S. tax deductions for contributions that fund Israeli military occupation and settlement expansion. One Israel Fund’s fundraising efforts have sustained the settler movement despite Israeli government budget constraints and international pressure for settlement freeze agreements. The organization’s U.S. tax-exempt status represents a subsidy of settlement expansion: American taxpayers’ foregone tax revenue supports settlement funding.
Class Analysis
One Israel Fund exemplifies how U.S. tax law is weaponized to support foreign occupation and settlement expansion: an American nonprofit can operate as a direct funder of Israeli military occupation while American donors receive tax deductions for their support. The organization’s tax-exempt status means American taxpayers are effectively subsidizing settlement expansion through foregone tax revenue. One Israel Fund’s funding of far-right Israeli political organizations and settler movements reveals how wealthy American donors can exert control over Israeli politics without Israeli citizenship or democratic participation. The organization’s existence and success demonstrates that U.S. support for Israeli settlements is not incidental to U.S. policy but structurally embedded in tax law and nonprofit regulation.
Sources
- ProPublica: U.S. Nonprofits Funding West Bank Settlements (Tier 2)
- IRS Form 990: One Israel Fund Tax Filings (Tier 1)
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