Terrorism, missile attacks, hostages, war... In such a complex time, how does one company offer hope to an embattled nation? El Al’s answer was an international project for growth and support. In December 2023, the company launched a campaign to encourage the Israeli economy while raising money for those who needed it most. The company called on supporters of Israel and Diaspora Jews to purchase flight vouchers for future travel with 10 per cent of the proceeds to be given to support Israeli soldiers and urgent relief for attack victims. The campaign was initially launched in the United States, and after gaining strong support, expanded to Britain and France.
As a result of the campaign, El Al has been able to donate $500,000 to assist the victims of the October 7 attacks and help wounded soldiers and their families. The funds represent 10 per cent of the $5 million in total sales of the programme.
With the help of those who participated, El Al has contributed to Friends of the Israel Defence Forces (FIDF), an organisation founded in the United States in 1981 that provides for the welfare of IDF soldiers, veterans and their families, as well as to the Shoresh Fund (formerly known as Kumzitz), which provides immediate assistance to civilians affected by the October 7 terrorist attacks, including support for residents of northern and southern Israel who have since been evacuated from their homes.
Vouchers are valid for flights booked up to the end of 2025 for trips until November 30, 2026. Customers who made a minimum purchase received elevated status benefits in the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club as well as special postcards, which were printed at Kibbutz Be’eri, one of attacked communities near the Gaza border.
“We are witness to the generosity and moving solidarity coming from the international communities in general and the Jewish communities in particular, who continue to send equipment and supplies to Israel on EL AL planes,” says El Al CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganencia, emphasising the importance of this campaign.
“We express our gratitude and call on the community to continue to support the Israeli economy and to ‘fly the flag’ as you plan future visits to Israel."
The voucher project is only a small part of a wide range of activities El Al has been carrying out since October 7. Others include:
• Accompanying the hostage families: El Al has had the privilege to accompany the families of the hostages on their international trips to raise awareness and promote the release of the abductees.
• El Al named its newest aircraft after the southern Israel region adjacent to Gaza to celebrate this brave community: "Otef Israel".
• The "teddy bears" project: El Al flight attendant Hadar Harik, 29, thought about how to raise a message of hope for the return of the hostages and came up with the idea — a teddy bear for every hostage. "As far as we're concerned, everyone there is alive, and the thought of the teddy bear waiting for them at home gives them vitality and hope."
• El Al has flown children and families from the Otef communities on respite trips abroad, including a trip for 350 people to watch Israel’s national soccer play in Budapest.
• "Seats Reserved for Hostages” flight: On January 10, 2024, pictures of the abductees were attached to the seats of an El Al flight from New York — a move that received great worldwide exposure. In addition, the airline chose to operate El Al's flagship flight to New York LY001 called LY100 to mark the 100 days that had passed since October 7, and to commemorate the 100 days the hostages have spent in captivity.
In the meantime, the company is looking forward to quiet days, when all the abductees will return to their homes and tourists will be able to redeem the vouchers.
More about Friends of the IDF
Established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors, FIDF is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation that operates 26 regional offices in the United States with headquarters in New York City. It is the single organisation authorized to collect charitable donations on behalf of the soldiers of the IDF across the United States, as designated by Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, IDF Chief of the General Staff in March 2017, and by Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, IDF Chief of the General Staff in February 2019 and April 2021.
More about Shoresh Fund
Shoresh Fund (Previously Kumzitz. Registration ID: 580716470) provides immediate assistance to the casualties of the horrific attack on civilians by Hamas. The Fund assists family members of victims, families of the hostages and families and individuals dislocated from their homes–specifically with the towns Kisufim, Niroz, Kfar Aza, Mishmar Hanegev, Be'eri & Sderot. More information at shoreshfund.org
We are working with community leaders and individuals in the impacted region to deploy significant resources for help without middlemen quickly. We are committed to expediting fund allocation to impacted families as soon as donations are made.
