Call Me Back - Episode Summary: "What Went Wrong with Humanitarian Aid?" with Yotam Pulitzer

Released on August 4, 2025 by Ark Media

1. Introduction

In this episode of "Call Me Back," host Dan Senor engages in a profound discussion with Yotam Pulitzer, the Global CEO of ISRA Aid, Israel’s largest humanitarian organization. The conversation delves into the complexities and challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones, with a particular focus on the ongoing crisis in Gaza following the events of October 7th.

2. Guest Introduction: Yotam Pulitzer and ISRA Aid

Yotam Pulitzer introduces himself and outlines the mission of ISRA Aid. Highlighting his extensive experience in international humanitarian missions, Yotam emphasizes the organization's commitment to long-term recovery and supporting vulnerable communities across twelve countries.

"The goal of Israel was to bring these expertise to the world's most vulnerable communities." (08:47)

3. Background and Personal Story of Yotam Pulitzer

Yotam shares his personal journey from growing up in the Galilee to leading relief missions in disaster-stricken areas like Fukushima, Greece during the Syrian civil war, and Kabul during the Taliban takeover. These experiences shaped his understanding of the importance of both immediate aid and long-term community rebuilding.

"Through this terrible tragedy in Syria, we have an opportunity, again, not just to save lives, but also to build bridges and change people's perspective." (12:30)

4. Humanitarian Aid Efforts Prior to October 7th

Before the events of October 7th, ISRA Aid focused on external disaster relief, leveraging Israel's technological and logistical expertise to assist in regions facing crises. Yotam explains that their operations were primarily aimed at providing swift, on-the-ground assistance while fostering collaborative relationships with diverse communities.

5. October 7th Attack and Rapid Shift to Domestic Humanitarian Focus

The catastrophic attack on October 7th forced ISRA Aid to pivot its operations inward. Yotam recounts the immediate response, highlighting the organization's mobilization to support survivors and refugees within Israel. This marked a significant shift from international to domestic humanitarian efforts.

"We raised about $20 million just for supporting survivors of October 7th." (14:47)

6. Operational Challenges of Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Yotam provides a comprehensive overview of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, detailing the logistical hurdles and security concerns inherent in delivering aid amidst active conflict. He emphasizes the unique challenges posed by Gaza's dense population and the presence of multiple armed groups.

"Gaza is like nowhere else where you have the civilian population and the active fighting in the same condensed area." (38:22)

7. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and its Initiatives

The discussion shifts to the formation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in April 2024, aimed at facilitating aid delivery directly to civilians while attempting to bypass Hamas-controlled areas. Yotam critiques the GHF's approach, noting its initial operational failures and limited geographic coverage.

"The idea was to deliver aid directly to the people, not with big convoys, but directly food packages per person." (32:23)

8. Issues and Failures with GHF

Yotam details the shortcomings of the GHF, including inadequate coverage of northern Gaza, persistence of aid looting for commercial gain, and the inability to fully separate humanitarian efforts from militant influences. He underscores the resulting inefficiencies and the suffering endured by civilians.

"The system doesn't work as it should be." (34:18)

9. Proposed Solutions and Current Operational Strategies

In response to the failures of previous aid mechanisms, Yotam outlines ISRA Aid’s strategic approach to improving aid distribution in Gaza. This includes establishing a parallel mechanism to the GHF, enhancing coordination among international and local NGOs, and implementing community-based distribution methods to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable.

"We need aid from multiple locations and multiple sources and multiple methodologies because that's the only thing that could work." (35:13)

10. Balancing Security and Humanitarian Needs

A critical theme in the conversation is the delicate balance between ensuring aid does not bolster militant groups like Hamas and meeting the urgent needs of Gaza’s civilian population. Yotam discusses the rigorous vetting processes and collaboration with Israeli authorities to mitigate risks while maintaining humanitarian integrity.

"We are only working with partners that have the full approval to operate by the IDF." (40:22)

11. Conclusion and Final Insights

Yotam concludes by stressing the importance of maintaining humanitarian focus amidst dehumanization on all sides of the conflict. He calls for sustained, long-term support and collaboration to address the multifaceted crisis in Gaza.

"We really need to focus on the most vulnerable and we can do so much more and we're in this for the long term." (41:30)

Notable Quotes

• Yotam Pulitzer: "The goal of Israel was to bring these expertise to the world's most vulnerable communities." (08:47)

• Yotam Pulitzer: "We need aid from multiple locations and multiple sources and multiple methodologies because that's the only thing that could work." (35:13)

• Yotam Pulitzer: "We are only working with partners that have the full approval to operate by the IDF." (40:22)

• Yotam Pulitzer: "We really need to focus on the most vulnerable and we can do so much more and we're in this for the long term." (41:30)

This episode offers a nuanced exploration of the challenges in humanitarian aid delivery within conflict zones, highlighting the imperative of strategic coordination and the complexities of operating in environments where security and humanitarian needs intersect. Yotam Pulitzer's insights shed light on both the operational hurdles and the moral imperatives driving organizations like ISRA Aid in their mission to support the vulnerable amidst ongoing turmoil.