Since the start of the war in Gaza, Friends of the IDF (FIDF)—the U.S.-based nonprofit officially recognized by the Israeli military for fundraising on its behalf—has raised more than $285 million, more than double its usual annual revenue.
High-profile galas have featured celebrities like Mike Tyson, Barbra Streisand, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, with some events bringing in up to $60 million in a single night. But behind the success lies a deepening internal crisis.
Former hostage Noa Argamani in FIDS fundraiser
(Video: FIDF)
An 18-page internal report obtained by Ynet, based on a three-month inquiry and testimonies from senior staff, describes a culture of dysfunction, centralized control and fear. “It’s like a sewer blockage that finally exploded,” said one staffer. “Half the team wants to quit. We kept quiet for the sake of the soldiers, but it’s gone too far.”
Chairman accused of sidelining CEO and micromanaging staff
At the eye of the storm is FIDF board chairman Morey Levovitz, who took on the volunteer role two years ago. According to the report, he effectively assumed the role of CEO—without board approval—while marginalizing current CEO Steve Weil.
He has reportedly overridden staff decisions, hand-picked the management committee from a list he compiled himself and interfered so extensively in daily operations that many staff felt he had fully taken over. In meetings, he allegedly declared: “I run the show.”
A particularly contentious issue involved a partnership with Israeli travel company Ortra, which is reportedly owned by a personal acquaintance of Levovitz. The deal bypassed FIDF’s usual competitive bidding process and employees complained that the company’s services were both pricier and less professional than those previously used.
While Levovitz denied any personal connection to the firm, the investigative committee concluded that the arrangement posed a conflict of interest and recommended it be terminated. The report also found that Levovitz had been reimbursed around $53,000 for travel and hotel expenses, well beyond what FIDF’s bylaws typically allow.
Allegations of bias, misleading donors and extravagant spending
The report details additional concerns, including accusations of bias against Israeli employees and donor misrepresentation—specifically, that donors were led to believe they were solely funding apartments for lone soldiers, when in fact those projects were co-funded.
It also highlights lavish spending on official delegations, with accommodations booked at high-end hotels such as the Hilton Tel Aviv and the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem. These practices, the committee warned, were contributing to declining morale among staff and rising frustration among donors, many of whom had begun to raise questions about the use and transparency of their contributions.
A further flashpoint was the sudden dismissal of FIDF’s longtime legal counsel, attorney Steve Rubin, who had served for over four decades. Rubin said he was forced out after being excluded from the management committee, which made it impossible for him to continue offering legal oversight. The committee cautioned that board meetings were held without legal supervision during that period—posing serious risks to the organization.
Rift with San Francisco branch threatens donor relations
Tensions also escalated with FIDF’s San Francisco branch, which raises approximately $7.5 million annually. After the regional director was dismissed without explanation, local leaders said they felt ignored by the national office and announced a freeze on donations.
“It’s like we don’t matter to the national office,” said one source familiar with the details. The committee characterized the episode as a strategic failure and warned that donor communities were nearing a breaking point.
Inside the organization, many employees described a culture of silence and fear. They reported an absence of performance reviews, poor communication and uncertainty about their roles. “The current leadership is weak,” said one employee. “All decisions go through Murray.”
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Even critics acknowledged Levovitz’s longstanding dedication to Jewish and pro-Israel causes, including his support for AIPAC and the Orthodox Union. “At some point,” said one insider, “it became more than a hobby for him.”
Resignation calls, donor revolt and a looming crisis
Two days after Ynet reached out for comment, FIDF board members received an emergency email from veteran donor Zvi Alon—husband of former board member Ricki Alon—calling for Levovitz’s resignation.
“I have verified that the report has been leaked to the media,” Alon wrote. “The damage to FIDF’s image and finances will be catastrophic if this story breaks without an appropriate response.”
He urged the board to immediately accept Lebovitz’s resignation and begin reform. “Any attempt to deflect or minimize this will only deepen the crisis,” Alon wrote. “Silence or delay is not an option.”
Meanwhile, Ynet spoke with three senior staffers who accused Levovitz of treating FIDF like “his personal property.” “He hires, he fires, he protects his friends and hijacks decision-making,” one said.
Some additional financial irregularities were raised by staff but not included in the report and therefore were not published.
Both FIDF and Lebovitz declined to respond to requests for comment. Ortra CEO Lior Gelfand defended the company's work, saying it was selected for its logistical strengths and transparent pricing. He dismissed the criticism in the report as “baseless” and claimed FIDF had repeatedly praised the service.