Last Thursday, a gala dinner took place in Los Angeles to raise money for the IDF. The star-studded event raised $31 million in a single night!

More than 1,200 supporters of the Israeli military attended the sold-out ‘Friends of the Israel Defense Forces’ charity event at The Beverly Hilton hotel.

Israeli-American media mogul, Haim Saban, the largest private donator to the IDF and the chairman of the gala said, “we are here to show the amazing support of Hollywood elite and the Jewish community of the US for Israel and IDF soldiers.”

“Recent weeks have proven that the IDF and security forces are firm in defending the state of Israel from all threats, and we are here to give them thanks and support them in all they are required to do,” he said.

The dinner ushered in various A-listers, including Mark Wahlberg, Liev Schreiber, Antonio Banderas, Jason Segel, Jason Alexander and Israeli-born KISS front man Gene Simmons. Guests also included retired astronaut Mark Kelly and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford (who survived being shot in the head during an assassination attempt in 2011). The event even featured a musical performance by the Beach Boys.

“For the past nine years I have watched this gala grow into the preeminent charity event it is today, and I am truly humbled by the funds raised yesterday, which are a testament to the importance of the FIDF organization and its mission. The overwhelming support from the Los Angeles community continues to amaze me,” Haim Saban said.

The program for the event placed special focus on the IDF’s Lone Soldiers, who have left their countries of origin to serve as their families continue to reside outside of Israel.

Bereaved mothers of fallen IDF soldiers addressed the crowd, as did a US veteran who gave a presentation on the benefits of Israeli medical technology used in America.

We are pleased that so many turned out in support of Israel’s Defense Forces, especially at this time. God bless these precious people.