Since 2013, more than $400 million in tax-deductible donations have been funneled through an Australian charity directly to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and related programs. The United Israel Appeal (UIA) Australia has been at the forefront of these efforts, remitting $376 million to Israel via its global partner, Keren Hayesod, as revealed by Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) financial disclosures.
In 2024 alone, UIA Australia received $50.9 million in tax-deductible donations and sponsorships. Financial statements from Keren Hayesod, the Israel-based body that receives and distributes UIA funds, indicate it received AU$323 million in global donations that year, with 98.5% originating from overseas. This means Australian fundraising accounted for roughly 13% of Keren Hayesod’s worldwide donation base last year.
Fundraising with a Mission
At the UIA Victoria Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2025, the leadership underscored the organization’s pivotal role in supporting Israel. David Slade, president of UIA Victoria, emphasized their unique position, stating, “We are the only organization in Australia raising funds for Israel that holds a seat at every table of decision-making authority mandated to rebuild the country from the north to the south.”
Julian Black, outgoing federal treasurer of UIA, reported that $39.2 million had been sent to Israel nationally, including $14.4 million from Victoria during the 2025 campaign period up to mid-November. UIA Australia describes its central mission as supporting aliyah, the Jewish immigration to Israel, and strengthening Israeli society. They affirm that they “raise funds within Australia and transfer them directly to Keren Hayesod-UIA.”
Support for Lone Soldiers and Youth Programs
Among the programs UIA promotes in Australia is assistance for “lone immigrant soldiers,” individuals who migrate to Israel and serve in the IDF without immediate family support in the country. Through the “Wings Program,” UIA partners with the Jewish Agency for Israel to provide grants and assistance to immigrant IDF soldiers. UIA states that they supported 2,200 lone immigrant soldiers in 2024. According to a report by the Knesset in August 2024, there were 6,731 lone soldiers serving in the IDF.
At the same AGM, Slade disclosed that his own son is currently serving in the IDF as a lone soldier, describing himself as “a lifelong Zionist.” UIA also funds the Net@ program, which provides technology education for youth, with promotional materials stating that graduates are “strong candidates for elite IDF units.”
Controversial Overseas Funding Networks
In 2022, Pastor Larry Huch raised $8 million for Keren Hayesod through his ministry to aid “settlements take over produce farms in the West Bank.” “One of the main Bible prophecies is helping Jews return to the nation of Israel, so we started working with Keren Hayesod with projects such as making aliyah,” Huch said.
According to an analysis by Canadian human rights organization Just Peace Advocates, public filings by UIA Canada show that funds linked to the broader Keren Hayesod network have supported organizations assisting IDF veterans and institutions located in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Comparable program-level detail is not disclosed in Australian ACNC filings, which aggregate remittances to Keren Hayesod. UIA Australia did not respond to questions regarding oversight of which initiatives are supported by the funds they provide to Keren Hayesod and whether they ensure compliance with ACNC External Conduct Standards and DGR conditions.
Human Rights Concerns and Legal Compliance
UIA’s fundraising expansion has occurred against the backdrop of escalating violence across the occupied Palestinian territories. A January 2026 report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights found that Israeli laws, policies, and practices have created “asphyxiating” conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The report highlighted an “unprecedented deterioration of the human rights situation” since October 2023, citing expanded use of unlawful force, arbitrary detention, and severe movement restrictions, among other issues. Chris Sidoti, a commissioner on the UN Commission of Inquiry on Palestine and Israel, stated that anyone who has served in any arm of the Israeli military in Gaza should be treated as a suspect, given the findings of genocide.
UIA CEO Yair Miller previously assured that “the United Israel Appeal is fully compliant with Australian law.” However, they did not respond to a follow-up request for comment regarding the matters discussed in this article.
As the UIA continues its operations, questions about the ethical implications of its funding practices and the transparency of its financial dealings remain at the forefront of public discourse. The organization’s future actions will likely be scrutinized closely by both supporters and critics alike.
