Arutz Sheva was at the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) National NY Gala Dinner on Wednesday at the New York Hilton Midtown that raised more than $32 million to support well-being and educational programs for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

Iron Dome operations officer 1st Lt. Don Leshem said "You can see all the people gathered here for Israel, for the Israeli Defense Forces...It's amazing; I'm speechless."

IDF Medical Corps Lt. (res.) Aviv Agami called the gathering "awesome". "It's so amazing to be here today, and that people come from around the world to support us."

Home Command officer Major Eyal Rechnitz said "being here surrounded by all our friends here in the United States of America, who support us in everyday life and everyday missions, even if it's the lone soldiers who have to be provided a better feeling and maybe academic studies and the Impact Program to help them achieve degrees in Israel; it's something really amazing."

Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the United States Major General Michael Edelstein described the importance and uniqueness of FIDF: "The significance of this event is basically that there is a community who decided to stand side-by-side with the IDF. This is something that's very important and their contribution isn't only for the soldiers of the IDF, but for the Israeli society in general. I think this speaks for itself: Today when soldiers go to the world, part of what they're thinking of is about the people who support them, who stand for them, and appreciate what they are doing for them day and night."