IsraAID teams respond to Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018. Photo: IsraAID.

Israel is often portrayed in the media as a nation defined by conflict and controversy — but this narrative overlooks an equally important reality: a country deeply committed to humanitarian aid and medical care, including for Palestinians.

Contrary to widespread accusations of apartheid or genocide, Israel and numerous Jewish organizations worldwide are actively engaged in saving lives and promoting coexistence, providing critical support regardless of faith or nationality.

Many are unaware of the scale of Israel’s medical outreach.

Organizations like Road to Recovery ensure that Palestinian children reach Israeli hospitals safely and promptly, while Project Rozana invests in medical training and improved healthcare access for Palestinian communities.

Save a Child’s Heart offers life-saving cardiac care to children from Gaza and beyond, and the Peres Center for Peace brings Palestinian children to Israel for essential surgeries at no cost. Beyond medical treatment, groups such as IsraAID deliver humanitarian aid in crises worldwide, including support for Palestinian communities.

Israel’s humanitarian efforts extend far beyond charity work. Dozens of NGOs, private donors, and companies coordinate with the Israeli government’s COGAT to facilitate cross-border aid. Since the easing of the Gaza blockade in May 2025, approximately 4,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza, averaging 70 deliveries per day, with extraordinary spikes reaching 915 trucks in a single day. This steady flow of assistance underscores Israel’s consistent commitment to providing humanitarian relief despite ongoing conflict.

Israel’s approach to conflict also reflects a profound concern for civilian safety. Warnings, leaflets, and phone calls alert residents to evacuate combat zones, while hospitals treat patients from Gaza, Syria, and Iran alike. Essential aid — food, medicine, and medical care — is delivered year after year, highlighting a stark contrast with the tactics of Hamas, which endangers civilians and uses human shields.

The reality of Israel’s careful, life-saving measures stands in sharp contrast to the narratives often presented in international media.

Misinformation about Israel is widespread, but the facts tell a different story. Accusations of genocide or apartheid ignore the countless instances of compassion, medical care, and humanitarian support that Israelis provide daily. From heart surgeries for children in Gaza to volunteers navigating checkpoints and aid trucks delivering essential supplies, Israel’s actions consistently demonstrate moral responsibility and a commitment to human life.

Ultimately, Israel’s story is one of empathy and action. Compassion transcends borders, religion, and politics, and Israel’s humanitarian initiatives prove that helping others is a core part of its national identity.

For anyone willing to look beyond the headlines, the evidence is clear: Israel is saving lives and fostering hope across the region.

Sabine Sterk is CEO of Time To Stand Up For Israel