Warriors of Israel rebrands as more than 90,000 wounded veterans face lifelong care

An organization supporting Israel’s wounded soldiers is changing its name as the country faces what it describes as the largest rehabilitation effort in its history. Friends of Irgun Nechei Zahal, known as Beit Halochem USA, will now operate as Warriors of Israel.

The organization is the official US branch of the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization, a nonprofit founded after Israel’s War of Independence to rehabilitate and support wounded soldiers. It said the new name reflects a continuing commitment to veterans and their families.

“Their sacrifice. Our responsibility, a commitment to stand behind Israel’s wounded warriors and their families for every step of the path ahead,” the organization said in a press release. Sam Zussman, its board chair, said thousands were beginning recovery journeys that would last a lifetime and deserved dignity, independence and purpose.

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Their sacrifice. Our responsibility, a commitment to stand behind Israel’s wounded warriors and their families for every step of the path ahead.

Warriors of Israel said more than 26,000 soldiers have been wounded since the war began on October 7, 2023. The Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization and Beit Halochem currently provide rehabilitation and community services to about 80,000 wounded soldiers. The Defense Ministry estimates that more than 90,000 wounded veterans will eventually require lifelong rehabilitation and support.

The organization said injuries include physical trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Its five centers across Israel offer physical rehabilitation, specialized mental health care, adaptive sports, education, career development, peer support and programs for spouses and children. It also describes the centers as communities where newly wounded veterans can receive guidance from people who began rehabilitation decades ago.

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The name Warriors of Israel reflects the strength and courage of those we stand by. Thousands are beginning a recovery journey that will last a lifetime. Our responsibility is equally enduring: to ensure every wounded warrior can live with dignity, independence, and purpose. That is the promise carried by our new name.