
Gofundme Israel campaigns have been making waves in recent years, but not all of them are created equal. Some have been shut down due to suspicious activity.
The Israeli government has been cracking down on gofundme campaigns that it deems to be in violation of its laws. In 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Justice reported that it had shut down 15 gofundme campaigns for violating the country's laws.
Many gofundme campaigns in Israel are created to raise money for charitable causes, but some have been used for more nefarious purposes.
Israel Folau's Page Shut Down
Israel Folau's GoFundMe page was removed from the site.
The page was shut down after GoFundMe deemed it violated its terms of service.
More than one million dollars were donated to other campaigns in Australia in the days since Folau's campaign launched.
GoFundMe will issue full refunds to all donors who contributed to Folau's campaign.
The decision to shut down the page was made after a routine period of evaluation.
Here's an interesting read: What Is a Gofundme Page
Folau's campaign had courted controversy since its activation, with former Wallabies team-mate Drew Mitchell one of the most vocal critics.
Israel Folau took to Instagram to thank his contributors when the fund had reached AUS$500,000 over the weekend.
The page was shut down by GoFundMe, citing that they “do not tolerate the promotion of discrimination or exclusion."
Recent Activity
Gofundme Israel has seen a surge in donations for various causes, with over $1 million raised for a family affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Many campaigns have been created to support the people of Israel, with some raising tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of weeks.
The platform has also been used to raise awareness about the situation, with many campaigns sharing personal stories and updates with their donors.
One campaign, in particular, has gained significant attention, raising over $250,000 for a family who lost their home in a rocket attack.
Recent Donations

Recent Donations have been pouring in for Urgent Relief For Israeli Families Under Attack. One notable trend is the frequency of anonymous donations.
The largest donation so far is $1504, which is a significant contribution to the cause. This amount is almost double the next largest donation of $517.
Anonymous donors have been consistently supporting the cause, with a total of 9 donations in recent months. These donations range from $57 to $201, with a few donations of $68 and $79 also made.
Here's a breakdown of the donations:
It's worth noting that some donors have chosen to make recurring donations, with one donor committing to $517 per month and another to $201 per year.
ReleaseTheFunds
ReleaseTheFunds, a movement that gained momentum in recent times, is all about getting people to take control of their finances.
In the past year, there has been a significant increase in people seeking assistance with debt relief, with 75% of respondents citing financial difficulties as the primary reason.
Many individuals have reported feeling overwhelmed by their financial situations, with some even considering bankruptcy.
Controversy and Criticism
Gofundme Israel has faced controversy and criticism, with some donors expressing concerns about the platform's handling of funds.
Some critics argue that Gofundme's fees can be as high as 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, which can eat into the amount of money that reaches the intended recipient.
The platform has also been criticized for its lack of transparency in how it uses the funds it collects, with some campaigns not clearly specifying how the money will be used.
In one notable case, a campaign was created for an Israeli family who lost their home in a fire, but it was later revealed that the family had not actually lost their home in a fire.
Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Raise Money with Gofundme
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use GoFundMe outside the USA?
Yes, you can use GoFundMe outside the USA, with options available in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. GoFundMe offers two fundraiser types in these countries: personal or nonprofit.
Sources
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-24/israel-folau-gofundme-campaign-deleted/11240354
- https://www.planetrugby.com/israel-folaus-gofundme-page-shut-down
- https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/fundraise-in-response-to-the-hamas-attacks-and-impacted-civilians-in-gaza-and-israel
- https://www.gofundme.com/charity/america-israel-democracy-coalition
- https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2024/03/08/gofundme-israel-gaza/
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