Updated

Updated · The Intercept · Sep 17

Kraft Charity Gave $319,000 to Israeli Military Groups as He Pledged $2 Million in Regional Aid

Updated

Updated · The Intercept · Sep 17

Kraft Charity Gave $319,000 to Israeli Military Groups as He Pledged $2 Million in Regional Aid

Q: Where will Robert Kraft's mysterious two million dollar pledge actually end up?

It is not publicly known where Robert Kraft’s $2 million pledge will go. Kraft said he would commit the money, matching a separate $2 million pledge from Ed Sheeran, “to aid in the region” and fight the humanitarian crisis. But in every public version of his statement, he did not name any recipient charities, relief agencies, or funds. Multiple reports noted that representatives for Kraft and Sheeran had not provided further detail when asked. That leaves a clear contrast with Macklemore, who specified six Palestinian-focused recipients for his $1 million: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Anera, and the UNRWA USA National Committee. Kraft has not said whether his money will go to any of those same groups, to broader regional humanitarian aid, or to initiatives aimed at Israeli-Palestinian coexistence, which he also referenced. What is known is that Kraft framed the donation broadly, saying he has long supported programs that create opportunities for Palestinians and bring Palestinians and Israelis together. That suggests the money could be directed either to humanitarian relief in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, or to bridge-building and development projects involving both communities. But until Kraft or his foundation identifies recipients, the destination of the pledge remains unspecified.

3 articles · Updated · The Intercept · Sep 17

$319,000 in Kraft Family Foundation donations since 2006 went to Friends of the IDF and two other groups aiding Israeli soldiers, undercutting Robert Kraft’s new claim that he has long supported Palestinians.
The scrutiny followed Kraft’s social-media pledge of $2 million for unspecified regional aid, issued days after he pushed Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore over the rapper’s pro-Palestinian remarks.
$196,000 of those foundation grants went to Friends of the IDF, with some earmarked to “promote education for young Jewish soldiers”; The Intercept said the charity also gave $123,000 to Brothers for Life and Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans.
Kraft’s broader pro-Israel spending included $3 million since 2022 to AIPAC’s super PAC through the Kraft Group and earlier donations to advocacy organizations such as CAMERA, MEMRI and the Investigative Project on Terrorism.
The findings sharpen the contrast between Kraft’s public framing of his philanthropy as Palestinian support and a documented record centered on Israeli military and political advocacy.