In 2025, 742 Britons immigrated to Israel, marking the highest figure since the 1980s. These individuals could not have made the move without assistance provided by charitable organizations and other structures registered in the UK.
Mechanisms for supporting migrants
These organizations advertise their services through gap-year programmes for participants between studies and work, subsidized trips under the 'birthright' program, and migration assistance. According to Middle East Eye, such programmes allow participants to visit occupied Palestinian territory, undergo training in the Israeli army, or reside in an illegal settlement.
The role of United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) and Keren Hayesod
The most well-known organization connecting Britons with Israel is the United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA). In 2024, it reported income of £12.8 million ($17 million USD) and manages significant capital. Its stated goal is to 'inspire young Jews' to establish 'relationships with Israel' by supporting organisations that run tours and gap-year programmes.
UJIA's origins date back over a century when it was founded as Keren Hayesod—a global fundraising organisation for the Zionist project and subsequently for Israel, which continues to exist and maintains close ties with the Israeli government. In 2010, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an official cooperation agreement with Keren Hayesod. Today, UJIA is a separate entity but remains affiliated with Keren Hayesod. The extent of their joint work remains unclear, as neither organisation has responded to MEE's requests.
Similar to UJIA, Keren Hayesod is a registered British charity. It currently has no British online presence. Internationally, it assists with Aliyah, which describes Jewish immigration to Israel under its birthright citizenship (according to Israeli law, every Jew has an unlimited right to immigrate to Israel and become a citizen).
In collaboration with the Israeli government, Keren Hayesod has helped over three million Jews migrate to Israel since its founding in 1920. In contrast, UJIA does not publicly offer Aliyah assistance but rather 'plants the seeds' of migration, for example, by advertising subsidized tours of Israel.
Trips to occupied territories
Although promoting migration to Israel is legal, MEE found that some programmes promoted by UJIA on its website include excursions to illegally occupied territories. An example is the gap-year Israel Classic Track programme, organised by the Israeli organisation Aardvark and advertised on the UJIA website. This programme lasts from five to ten months and includes weekly trips, among which Ein Mabua Natural Spring and the Judean Desert, both located in occupied West Bank.
Other gap-year programmes from Aardvark, such as Tech Track and Culinary Track, also include excursions. According to Aardvark's website, participants visit Hebron, a Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank where Israeli settlers live illegally under the protection of the Israeli army. They also visit Jericho, an ancient fortress in the West Bank, and take night trips to the Golan Heights, which is occupied Syrian territory.
Similarly, UJIA promotes a gap-year programme run by the Israeli organisation Bina, which also includes 'Israel-wide' excursions and takes participants to Hebron and the Golan Heights.
Residing at an Israeli army base
Aardvark also connects participants with the Israeli army through a voluntary course called Marva. This army simulation programme is conducted by the Israeli military service and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Participants can sign up for it as part of the Israel Classic Track programme promoted by UJIA. The promotional text states: 'If you have ever wondered... How would you feel wearing the IDF uniform? What do Israelis go through when they serve? Can I do it? Then Marva might be for you.'
According to the Israeli army, the goal of Marva is to give participants a 'taste of military life'. 'By serving alongside other young Jews from different parts of the world, you will learn more about the inner workings of the IDF than you could imagine and experience it personally.'
Zionist education and settlements
UJIA also supports gap-year programmes run by Bnei Akiva, the world's largest religious-Zionist youth movement. According to documents submitted to the charity commission, it was awarded grants worth £194,000 ($260,000 USD) in 2023 and £214,000 ($287,000 USD) in 2022. The youth organisation operates in over 40 countries and has 20 local branches (Svivot) in the UK, as well as offices in London and Manchester.
It organises weekly events, tours, camps, and gap-year programmes in Israel, aiming to 'inspire and empower young Jews with a sense of commitment to the Jewish people, the Land of Israel, and the Torah'. Although no charity is registered under the name Bnei Akiva UK, there is a charity called 'Friends of Bnei Akiva (Bachad)'. In 2025, it registered income of £141,735 ($189,000 USD) and expenses of £390,347 ($522,000 USD), with financial reserves of approximately £1.86 million ($2.5 million USD).
Bnei Akiva UK encourages donations to Friends of Bnei Akiva on its website and claims that this charity cooperates closely with it 'in a spirit of friendship and cooperation'. The charity's latest annual report confirms close ties, indicating that its main charitable activities include providing Bnei Akiva grants, organising events, and maintaining youth centres in London and Manchester. Friends of Bnei Akiva has no independent online presence; its registered address is identical to the Bnei Akiva UK office in London.
Settlement residency
Although Bnei Akiva presents itself as a harmless youth organisation online, its activities take place in illegally occupied territories. Photos published on one of its international Instagram accounts show participants on a tour in Wadi Qelt in occupied West Bank, where they are 'exploring the beauty of Israel'. However, Bnei Akiva is not limited to trips to occupied territories—it also places participants of gap-year programmes in an illegal settlement.
A video posted on the international Instagram account shows participants of the Mechina Olamit programme touring their accommodation in Migdal Oz. Bnei Akiva states that the house is a 'home' for its participants 'during their gap-year programme'. Migdal Oz is an illegal settlement located in the West Bank. Until recently, both Bnei Akiva's websites in the UK and internationally confirmed that Mechina Olamit participants lived in this settlement. But after MEE contacted the organisation, this information was changed on the international site, which now states that participants live in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the website's FAQ section still indicates that 'Mechina Olamit is based in Migdal Oz', where 'international participants live side-by-side with their Israeli peers'. MEE could not clarify if the location has changed. Migdal Oz is also, according to Google Maps, not the only Bnei Akiva presence in occupied territories; it is also located in the illegal settlements of Giv'at Ze'ev, Ofra, Hasmona'im, Gilo, and Sha'arei Tikva.
Preparation for military service
Although Bnei Akiva claims that Mechina Olamit students are not encouraged to join the army, it 'provides' preparation for those who wish to enlist 'as much as possible'. Thus, the programme offers classes and activities covering a 'wide range of topics related to military service'. Participants also attend physical training sessions three times a week. One Mechina Olamit graduate from the UK stated in a Bnei Akiva International post from February: 'We did many different physical exercises, such as running, crawling, and stretcher walking, and learned more about the IDF. One of my favourite moments this year was the last day of the IDF... This preliminary military programme is truly inspiring in every possible aspect.'
Bnei Akiva UK also runs the Kadima gap-year programme, regularly posting photos of Marva participants in its global Instagram accounts. In Israeli military uniform, they are indistinguishable from soldiers. In some pictures, they pose with weapons. According to Bnei Akiva, this 'experience' provided by the army includes 'hiking across the country in uniform, living in field conditions, desert navigation, and attending seminars and lectures.'
Permanent residence in Israel
In addition to gap-year programmes, Bnei Akiva also encourages foreigners to stay in Israel permanently. The International Centre for Palestinian Justice notes: 'Wearing weapons, wearing uniforms, and staying at a military base resembles preliminary military training, not cultural exchange.'
The organisation's stated mission is to 'instill love for Israel through Zionist education', and the 'highest expression' of its ideology is Aliyah. To 'encourage' migration, the youth organisation collaborates with the Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. Since its founding in 1929, Bnei Akiva claims to have helped over 100,000 foreigners immigrate.
It remains unclear whether funds collected in the UK are directed towards activities related to the Israeli army or settlements. MEE's questions remain unanswered. It is also unclear whether UJIA finances projects linking Britons with the Israeli army or with occupied territories. It does not publicly advertise the Bnei Akiva Mechina Olamit programme based in a settlement. In its latest annual report, the charity states that its expenses in Israel are 'limited to projects within its internationally recognized borders.'
Legal implications
The activities of Bnei Akiva and UJIA raise serious legal questions, as reported by MEE citing the International Centre for Palestinian Justice (ICJP). In July 2024, the International Court ruled that the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel is illegal and must cease.
ICJP stated: 'The UK government cannot simply ignore this legal position; it is an authoritative statement of international law on this matter. The UK is obliged to ensure that it does not recognize or facilitate an illegal situation, including the activities of organisations operating under its jurisdiction. You cannot promote settlements or transport participants there because the settlements themselves are illegal.'
According to ICJP, by sending people on trips to occupied territories and housing them in Migdal Oz, Bnei Akiva, contrary to international law, 'treats Israeli settlements as an integral part of the territory of Israel'. The same applies to UJIA. According to ICJP, charities have a legal obligation to ensure they do not contribute to illegal activities abroad, including funding and advertising programmes or organisations that violate international law.
The Marva programme raises separate legal questions. ICJP informed MEE: 'These programmes appear to be more than just educational or observational. Wearing weapons, wearing uniforms, and staying at a military base resembles preliminary military training, not cultural exchange.'
