The poker community is raising funds for vulnerable women and children on both sides of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
The World Series of Poker, along with its owners GGPoker, has lent their support to the IDF Widows and Orphans Org (IDFWO) by running a charity poker tournament at its live WSOP Paradise event in The Bahamas. In response, PokerStars pro Barny Boatman announced on social media that he is auctioning off his first WSOP bracelet to support the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
The (IDFWO) is a non-profit organization that supports spouses and children of Israeli soldiers who have died in conflict, and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) provides humanitarian assistance as well as health and social services to Palestinians in need.
Due to the contentious nature of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, there are strong opinions on both sides as to the ethics of the charities that are being supported.
“The WSOP have every right to raise money, for what is after all a humanitarian cause, but it would be naive to suppose that this won’t be seen as taking a position on what is the most urgent moral issue of our age,” Boatman told pokerfuse. “We cannot look away from the unimaginable hell being visited on the Palestinian people, especially the children, and we all have a responsibility to speak and to act.”
Criticism was immediately leveled against the WSOP and GGPoker for putting their name behind the charity initiative, with poker pro Justin Bonomo being the most outspoken, calling the support of the IDFWO “disgusting”.
For context, the WSOP and GGPoker have been working with Robbie Strazynski of CardPlayerLifestyle — who lives in Israel, to bring this invite-only charity tournament to the WSOP Paradise. Strazynski broke the news that the charity tournament would be taking place at WSOP Paradise on social media, a day before it was due to run.
According to Strazynski, the idea of the charity tournament came from Ory Weihs and Anna Meissner of the non-for profit Shalem Fund back in the summer.
Strazynski then reached out to GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu who helped get buyin from GGPoker higher ups. Ultimately, WSOP COO Gregory Chochon and GGPoker owner Michael Kim backed the idea in October, helping to turn it into a reality.
The Shalem $10K Chart Event, saw 50% of its prize pool donated to charity.
The tournament played out of December 11 and raised $140,000 for the charity. Notable faces at the table included Strazynski, PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg, ex-PokerStars Director and now PokerOrg owner Eric Hollreiser and GGPoker Ambassador Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier.
It is the first time a high profile charity poker tournament of its kind has run to raise money for people affected by the Israeli–Palestinian war.
Additional donations to the IDFWO charity were made by BetRivers Ambassador Phil Hellmuth, GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu and poker pro Sorel Mizzi who did not play in the tournament but donated directly.
Disagreeing with the seemingly one sided support given to the IDFWO, PokerStars Ambassador and Hendon Mob alum Barny Boatman raised his head above the parapet and announced he would be raising funds for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
“Every child orphaned by war is a tragedy and I wouldn’t fault anyone, particularly those with a personal connection, for wishing to help. However the lives of every child in Gaza have been shattered or taken by the brutal mass slaughter into which the west counties to pour billions of dollars,” Boatman stated in his social media post.
Continuing on, Boatman outlined why the people of Gaza are in as much need as those supported by the IDFWO. In order to support on the ground efforts in Gaza, Boatman is auctioning off his first-ever WSOP bracelet to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to the PRCS.
At the time of writing, the highest bid Boatman has received is $7,500. How long the auction will run is currently up in the air, with more details expected soon. Poker pros such as Justin Bonomo have supported Boatman’s efforts by being vocal on social media.
To note, the PRCS is an officially recognized independent organization which was founded in 1910. The organization is guided by the Geneva Convention and is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The WSOP Paradise is currently underway in the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas and continues through to December 19, 2024.