Israelis. Palestinians. The violence is atrocious, from whatever angle you look at it. The human tragedy is heartbreaking. Yet far too many people are shouting, nay, screaming from their absolute positions, with ironclad assurance that anything the group with which they sympathize does is excusable, if not laudable, and the other side is to be totally and absolutely condemned. Many of us are not impressed by any of the screamers, but are horrified at the violence being done, and want to help. How do we help? Whom do we help? How do we know that whatever help we give will go to help those suffering, and not inadvertently contribute to political ends we are likely not to agree with?

At this stage, we want to aid the victims. Two groups which exist only to aid the victims are the Palestine Red Crescent Society, and the Magen David Adom (Red Star of David). Both groups are under the umbrella of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Neither group is attached to a government or a political movement or an armed group. Both organizations have coordinated with each other in the past through the ICRC.

For those who want to help the victims of the violence, we suggest giving to one of these two organizations, or to both. For more information, see this explanation of the two organizations by the British Red Cross:

https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/world/palestine-red-crescent-and-magen-david-adom-explained

Palestine Red Crescent Society

https://www.palestinercs.org/en

Americans for Magen David Adom

Magen David Adom