1. Franklin Graham

Franklin Graham is a prominent American pastor and humanitarian who leads both Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Through Samaritan’s Purse, Graham oversees extensive humanitarian efforts, including disaster relief and development projects worldwide, with a focus on providing aid and support to communities in need.

Graham is a vocal advocate for Israel's rights and security, frequently expressing his support through public statements and initiatives that emphasize Christian solidarity with the Jewish state. Additionally, Samaritan’s Purse provides humanitarian aid to Israel, reflecting his commitment to supporting the country both spiritually and practically. Following the Hamas attack on Israel in early October, Samaritan's Purse immediately deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team. In November 2023, Graham visited communities along the Gaza border to witness the devastation firsthand and offer additional humanitarian aid to displaced families and those who had lost loved ones.

Currently, they are providing 42 armored ambulances—including 28 that will be armor-plated and bulletproof—and are building ambulance response stations near the Gaza and Lebanese borders in areas that are constantly at risk. Samaritan’s Purse has also supplied 1,000 Advanced Trauma Life Support kits for doctors and healthcare workers in Israel. Since the Hamas attack, they have sent three airlifts to Israel with critical relief supplies and have deployed doctors and nurses to support the medical system in northern Israel. They are also undertaking six construction projects, including two ambulance centers—one in Avshalom on the Gaza border and the other in Shlomi on the Lebanese border—two trauma resilience centers, an equine therapy center, and an OBGYN clinic for Bedouins in the south.

Photo credit: BGEA