It has been just about one week since the people of Israel were shocked by an attack on their soil by Hamas, a terrorist organization. Hamas — also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement — controls several Palestinian-occupied areas, including portions of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Hamas militants have said that they attacked Israel for several reasons. The main reason is that Israeli forces continue to kill Palestinians — including nearly 50 children — for no reason other than they are Palestinian.
World leaders were quick to condemn the attacks on Hamas and pledged to help the people of Israel. Many companies have also come forward, saying that they would be donating money to help fight Hamas. One of those companies is The Walt Disney Company.
On October 12, Disney issued a press release, stating that they would be donating $2 million to various Israeli humanitarian groups to help Israelis who are in need because of the war.
Following the deadly Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, The Walt Disney Company is donating $2 million to organizations that are providing humanitarian relief in the region.
“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks targeting Jews in Israel this past weekend, we must all do what we can to support the innocent people experiencing so much pain, violence, and uncertainty – particularly children,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We condemn these attacks, the hate that motivated them, and all acts of terrorism, and we will continue working to find more ways to provide support in the region, and to honor the victims, their families, and all those affected by this war.”
Disney is donating $1 million to Magen David Adom, an affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that provides emergency medical and blood banking services in Israel, and $1 million to other nonprofit organizations working in the region, particularly those with a focus on providing aid to children.
This is a cause that hits particularly close to home for Bob Iger. Iger was born into a Jewish family and raised in New York. His father even helped fight the Nazis in World War II and is a Navy Veteran.
Iger Reaches Out to Jewish Employees
After learning of the attacks by Hamas, Iger sent out an email to the company’s Jewish employees. Disney has an internal Jewish organization called “Shalom.” In the email, he expressed his sadness and anger at what had happened and said that Disney will always stand by its Jewish cast members and the company will help those affected by the attacks.
Dear Shalom BERG Members,
I’ve had the chance to speak with a number of our Jewish colleagues over the past few days about the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel, and I want to reach out to this group directly to express my shock and sadness.
Related: Bob Iger Reportedly “Overwhelmed and Exhausted”
Iger has always been very proud of his Jewish heritage. When he married his second wife, Willow Bay, they had an interfaith ceremony. His customary Jewish traditions, as well as his wife’s Roman Catholic traditions, were both honored.
Disney Often Donates
This is not the first time that Disney has donated to humanitarian causes. In fact, Disney frequently donates to charitable causes, although many of them are usually closer to home.
Related: 13 Things Disney Does With Your Money
Disney works with multiple food banks in both Southern California and Central Florida, where Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are located, respectively. Disney will also donate to multiple charities when something like a major hurricane displaces the residents of Florida.
Most recently, Disney shared that it was donating more than $1.5 million to Florida charities. The company stated that they were doing so as a way to create “positive change in Florida.”
Over the past couple years, Florida has become a battleground between progressive, liberal ideas and staunch right-wing conservative ones. Disney has adjusted its company policies to be more open and welcoming to those with different racial and gender identities. Because of that, the company is frequently accused of being “woke”. And, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, he wants Florida to be a place where “woke goes to die.”
