Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) does not possess either a formal pro- or anti-Israel political position. Controversy has, however, surrounded individual Girl Scout groups concerning fundraising activities that are linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A fairly large group of backlash fell on a Girl Scout troop in St. Louis, Missouri, in late 2023 and early 2024 after they decided to sell bracelets to raise money to aid Palestinian children in Gaza.
The leadership of the troops, which, by chance, was mostly of Palestinian and Middle Eastern descent, was prompted to action by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, caused by the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the effect it had on the children. They gave donations to the Palestinian Children Relief Fund, an organization based in the US that provides humanitarian and medical assistance.
Historical context of Girl Scouts and Israel
Being the indicator of the diversity of the national population, this federation is characterized by numerous Scout organizations organized in terms of religious affiliation.
Israeli Scouts take part in programs that encourage non-violent coexistence, co-operation, and interfaith discussions among the Druze, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian groups. The international Scout mission of unity, leadership, and service to the community is congruent with the programmes of the Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation that promote communication between individuals and establish cross-cultural bridges.
Jewish girls and leaders have been part of the Jewish heritage aspect of the Girl Scouts in the United States ever since the organization was established. Girl Scouts have also assisted in keeping Jewish culture alive through wearing special badges, selling cookies that are kosher certified, and community services that celebrate Jewish culture. The Jews were the early leaders of troops.
These cultural links between Israel and the United States have resulted in the establishment of ties between the Jewish communities in the two nations, with sponsorship of Scouts and youth programs in Israel. By and large, rather than overt political support, the history behind the Girl Scouts in reference to Israel is marked by emphasis on youth empowerment, leadership, inclusiveness, and multicultural literacy. Scouting movements in both countries give high priority to community building, communication, and humanitarian principles- even in the complex social and political environment of Israel and the Middle East.
Fundraising controversies related to Israel and Gaza
Girl Scouts of the USA faced major scandals in the years to come regarding the fundraising activities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically the use of troops whose aim was to raise funds to help people in Gaza.
One of the most famous examples was when a Girl Scout troop in St. Louis, Missouri, chose not to sell cookies, as usual, but instead chose to perform a community service that would raise funds to support Gaza children affected by the conflict. To raise funds for the Palestine Children Relief Fund, a US-based nonprofit organization that provides medical and humanitarian services, the leader of the troop and several participants, many of Middle Eastern and Palestinian descent, arranged to sell handmade bracelets.
But the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri issued warnings to the troop and applied the organization’s policy, which demands council ratification and neutral fundraising. It was recommended that the troop strike every allusion to Girl Scouts out of communications about the fundraiser and cease selling bracelets. This group alleged that the troop had violated regulations of non-Girl Scout fundraising events and would sue in case the policy breach continued. The parents and troop members were unhappy and felt that their humanitarian efforts had been unfairly politicized. The group ultimately decided to disband, stating that the Girl Scouts had not fulfilled its mission of empowering girls to make the world a better place.
Although the national Girl Scouts of the USA admitted that a temporary exception was allowed between October 2023 and January 2024 to permit charitable fundraising connected to the Israel-Gaza conflict, they noted that their policies normally limit fundraising to Girl Scout-approved causes.
Girl Scouts’ national policies on fundraising and political activities
All fundraising events that are organized by Girl Scout councils and troops should be aligned with the goals and values of the organization. One of the council-sponsored programs that troops are encouraged to use to raise money is the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which teaches girls how to be entrepreneurs. Typically, any sort of fundraising outside of these approved programs requires the advance approval of the local Girl Scout council.
Girl Scouting and its programs must be the sole beneficiaries of fundraising efforts. Individual troops or members do not own the funds raised; instead, the Girl Scout council does. However, as long as they do not formally identify as Girl Scouts in those situations, individual members are free to individually support outside causes.
The national laws of GSUSA clearly state that it does not take part in political campaigns or support of political candidates or any form of partisan political action in an official Girl Scout capacity. Organizations or individuals that act under the Girl Scout name are not allowed to do rallies, give out petitions, write letters, and other activities that can be construed to be political advocacy. Though GSUSA generally avoids involvement in controversial political affairs, it does allow fundraising in humanitarian situations under highly regulated conditions, especially in the case of natural disasters or other extreme situations, so long as the proper council approval is obtained.
Local governments are in charge of monitoring troop adherence to the rules governing political activity and fundraising. To uphold organizational standards, they offer direction, issue the required approvals, and enforce compliance. If troops break the rules, they could be warned or subject to disciplinary action, which could include losing council support.
Perspectives from troops and community members
Deep emotional and cultural stakes were highlighted by the range of strong reactions from troops, leaders, parents, and members of the larger community that followed the fundraising scandal surrounding Girl Scout Troop 149 in St. Louis.
First-generation Palestinian Muslim American troop commander Nawal Abuhamdeh was candid in explaining why the troop decided to sell cookies instead of raising money to feed starving kids in Gaza. The diverse ethnicity of the kids, Pakistani, Indian, Somali, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian, had been immensely affected by humanitarian suffering, she told me, and they wanted to do something big. The problem was reported to have left many of the girls sobbing during their sessions as they felt powerless to do anything about it.
Other Girl Scout leaders and community members expressed a great deal of sorrow and support for Troop 149’s disbandment. California troop leader Tasneem Manjra blasted the national Girl Scouts organization for being overbearing and unsupportive, saying their approach was “way too heavy-handed” and raising questions about the organization’s dedication to inclusive principles. A petition signed by more than 100 troop commanders called for an apology to Troop 149, a public declaration on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and guarantees that troops would not be punished for future fundraising of this kind. Manjra also cautioned that boycotts of cookie sales could result from inaction.
Public and community reactions
The leadership of the Girl Scouts was attacked by the supporters of group 149, the St. Louis group at the centre of the dispute, for unfairly silencing a humanitarian effort. Troop leader and first-generation Palestinian Muslim American Nawal Abuhamdeh believed that she and her group were singled out and denigrated because they would be fundraising to help children in Gaza who were suffering in the fighting.
Once the troop left the official Girl Scout organization, lawfully, many members of the community lauded them for their activism and sensitivity, and many people were happy to aid in swelling the size of their fundraising. Over 100 troop leaders around the country had signed a petition requesting the national Girl Scouts to apologize, make a statement of public awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and promise that other groups would not be penalized because they had held similar campaigns to raise funds. Unless the Girl Scouts acted on their grievances, they were going to boycott their cookies.
In a nutshell, Girl Scouts are not overtly pro or anti-Israel, but challenges in managing politically sensitive areas have been exposed through the actions of individual Girl Scout troops in seeking to raise funds through humanitarian efforts of the Israeli-Palestinian war. Rather than siding with any geopolitical conflict, GSUSA attempts to remain impartial to the interests of every child and community and focuses on their welfare.
