Charities registered in Britain offer opportunities to train with the Israeli army, live in settlements and visit the occupied territories.
Written by: Melissa Muller
In 2025, 742 Britons emigrated to Israel, the highest number since the 1980s. They did not do this without help. British-registered charities and other institutions help them with advertising, gap-year programs, subsidized Birthright travel, and migration assistance. The Middle East Eye (MEE) revealed that these programs offer participants the opportunity to go to occupied Palestinian territory, train with the Israeli army, or live in an illegal settlement.
The most prominent charity connecting Britons with Israel is the United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA), which manages a significant amount of capital: it reported revenues of £12.8 million ($17 million) in 2024. Its mission is to „inspire young Jews” to develop a „connection” with Israel by supporting organizations that organize trips and gap year programs.
The UJIA’s roots go back more than 100 years: it was founded as Keren Hayesod, the Zionist Project’s and later Israel’s global fundraising organization, and it still exists today, with strong ties to the Israeli government. In 2010, as Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu signed a formal declaration of cooperation with Keren Hayesod. Today, UJIA is a separate organization, but it continues to be listed as a subsidiary of Keren Hayesod. The extent of their cooperation is unclear – neither organization responded to MEE’s request.
Like UJIA, Keren Hayesod is a registered British charity. It currently has no British online presence. It helps internationally with Aliyah (Jewish migration to Israel based on „birthright”). Since its founding in 1920, Keren Hayesod has worked with the Israeli government to help more than three million Jews migrate to Israel. The UJIA, on the other hand, does not publicly offer aliyah assistance, but instead „sows the seeds of migration,” such as by advertising subsidized tours of Israel.
Travel to occupied territories
Although promoting migration to Israel is legal, MEE found that some of the programs advertised on the UJIA website include excursions that take participants to illegally occupied territories.
For example, this is Israel Classic Track a gap year program run by an Israeli organization called Aardvark and advertised on the UJIA website. The five- to ten-month program includes weekly trips to destinations such as the Ein Mabua natural spring or the „Judean Desert” – both located in the occupied West Bank. Aardvark Tech Track and Culinary Track Its programs also include excursions: participants visit Hebron, a Palestinian city where Israeli settlers live illegally under the protection of the Israeli army. They also visit the Herodion (a West Bank fortress) and take part in night trips to the Golan Heights, an occupied Syrian territory. UJIA also promotes Bina program of an Israeli organization called, which also takes participants to Hebron and the Golan.
Life on an Israeli military base
The Aardvark is Marva It also brings participants into contact with the Israeli military through a volunteer course called IDF. It is a military simulation program run by the Israeli army and the Jewish Agency for Israel. According to the program information advertised by the UJIA: „Have you ever wondered… what it would be like to wear the uniform of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)? What do Israelis go through when they are drafted? Could I do it too? Then Marva is for you.” During the program, participants live on a military base for 6-8 weeks, „meet soldiers, wear Israeli uniforms, carry weapons, and learn survival skills, field training, self-defense, topography, and navigation.”
Zionist education
UJIA supports the Bnei Akiva also programs organized by, the world's largest religious Zionist youth movement. According to documents submitted to the Charity Commission, the organization was given £194,000 in 2023 and £214,000 in 2022. The movement operates in 37 countries, with 20 local branches in Great Britain. Although there is no registered charity called "Bnei Akiva UK", there is an organization called "Friends of Bnei Akiva (Bachad)", which had an income of £141,735 in 2025 and has financial reserves of £1.86 million.
Life on a colony
Although Bnei Akiva appears to be a harmless youth organization online, some of its activities take place in illegally occupied territories. The organization Mechina Olamit Its gap year program provides accommodation for participants in Migdal Oz, an illegal settlement in the West Bank. After MEE contacted the organization, the information on its international website was changed to Jerusalem, but the FAQ section still states: „Mechina Olamit is headquartered in Migdal Oz.” According to Google Maps, the organization is also present in other illegal settlements, such as Givat Ze'ev, Ofra, Hasmonaim, Gilo, and Sha'arei Tikva.
„"Truly inspiring" military prep
Although Bnei Akiva says it does not encourage students to join the army, it „ensures” that those who want to join are „as prepared as possible.” The program also includes physical training. A British graduate said in February: „We did a variety of physical exercises, such as running, climbing, and walking on a stretcher, while learning more about the IDF.” Kadima In their program called, participants pose in Israeli military uniforms, sometimes with weapons.
Migration to Israel
Bnei Akiva not only organizes gap years, but also encourages permanent settlement. Working with the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Immigration, the organization claims to have helped more than 100,000 foreigners settle there since its founding in 1929.
Legal consequences
The International Centre for Justice and Peace (ICJP) says these activities raise serious legal issues. The International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 that Israel’s occupation is illegal and must end. „The UK cannot recognise or assist an illegal situation, including the activities of organisations under its jurisdiction,” the ICJP said. „You cannot promote settlements or take participants there, because the settlements themselves are illegal.”
Regarding the Marva program, the ICJP noted: „Carrying weapons, wearing uniforms, and staying on a military base is more reminiscent of military pre-training than cultural exchange.”
