The number of calls and calls Itzik Shmuli receives these days is enormous. There is a lack of medical equipment here – there is a need for assistance for evacuees. It's not like Shmuli is currently heading a huge government ministry with multiple budgets. Although he served in his last public position as Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services, since leaving the government he has served as the Israel Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of New York.
This is a huge philanthropic organization that contributes to Israel even in normal times, and with the outbreak of the Iron Sword War – they raised more than $150 million – which is over half a billion shekels. Among other things, NIS 120 million was transferred to emergency and aid organizations, NIS 20 million to the evacuees of Kfar Gaza and Nir Oz, NIS 10 million to the Fund for Victims of Terrorism and the authorities absorbing the evacuees, NIS <> million to assist the Eilat municipality, and they also support northern communities, hospitals, and organizations and associations that provide emotional and emotional support.
Evacuating from the south in Eilat, photo: AFP
Shmuli himself travels all over the country and sees with his own eyes the distress that the government does not know, even a month after the terrible massacre on October 7, to provide a solution. "The federation today functions as a special missions division that is everywhere and also helps on the conflict line in the north, also to the evacuee communities, the families of the abductees, hotels in Eilat and the Dead Sea, hospitals and where not – in order to provide an emergency response in places where the government should have already entered and is having difficulties," Shmuli explains on the municipal podcast "My City" from Israel Hayom. "We see that in recent weeks, almost the entire effort of holding the home front and supporting emergency operations is on civil society, with the complete backing of philanthropy."
According to him, the federation has decided to mobilize with all its might to stand with Israel. "We have a big hole in our hearts, and American Jewry understands that this is a war for home. That Israel is fighting for its life here – for its right to exist in the region in peace and security. And so you see perhaps unprecedented expressions of solidarity – which is also expressed in financial support."
IDF forces on the northern border, photo: AP
But it's clear that you're doing work here that shouldn't be yours – you're doing the government's job.
"You're right, but if hospitals end up taking in hundreds of casualties, and there are many people who need physical and mental medical rehabilitation, you have to wrap the families of the abductees, give emergency assistance to the local authorities at the border in the south and north – then it's true that this is not the classic role of philanthropy, and that's why we're stepping out of our comfort zones. It has been difficult for the government in recent weeks to enter in terms of the inclusion of responses and the provision of emergency assistance. I have an inherent interest in working in cooperation with the entire government ministry, with the National Emergency Authority and with the Revival Administration. I think there are good people there – we have to work together."
But where is the difficulty – what actually doesn't work.
"There are three things that need to be done. First, we need to appoint a civilian entity that integrates the entire incident from the civil point of view. The failure that began on the security side – the failure has spread in recent weeks to the civilian side as far back as the home front is concerned. I am aware that there are great efforts on the part of the government – but in some places the aid is not coming. The second thing is to take a much more generous hand. It is impossible to think here now in terms of fiscal responsibility and maintaining the budget framework. But you have to understand that this is a mega formative event in the history of the state – and this is how it should be treated on the economic level as well. I believe in the state's ability to get out of the event financially, but we have to provide the solutions now."
Soroka Hospital (illustrative), photo: Danny Maron
And the third thing?
The third – and perhaps the main – thing is to trust the mayors. There are sometimes strange attitudes in the government that say that if I give unpainted money to the mayor, he will build me platforms for Independence Day now. This is not the event we are in. Mayors know their residents and their needs. Even during the coronavirus as welfare minister – I said leave bureaucracy and forms and give the money to the mayors. They will be required to report what they did with the money. And those who made incorrect use will definitely get in the head. But 99 percent of mayors know what needs to be done. The ability to manage this whole thing from an office in Jerusalem doesn't exist."
The full interview on the "My City" podcast from Israel Hayom. Listen to the episode - and other interesting episodes
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