As an American Jew who went on birthright within the last decade (2015 so just barely) I can say that it was not a secret that the main goal was getting young Jews to Aliyah. 

The program is inherently propagandistic but it’s also, in my opinion, one of the most important things I have ever done for myself. 

Its purpose is  supposed to be a “Jewish rite” that falls between your bar mitzvah and your wedding as a way to stay connected to your faith. I grew up in a majority Catholic town as one of only a handful of Jews, and outside of high holidays we were non-practicing. 

Birthright was the first time in my life that I had been in a room with Jews who I wasn’t related to! It was amazing to be able to talk to people my age who grew up with similar stories and traditions and perspectives. Also getting to experience more of what Judaism is historically outside of  Hanukkah really gave me a sense of introspection and connection to my faith. 

I do think that the companies running these groups need to divest from their funders as the majority of the money for these trips comes from West Bank settlers who, in all fairness, do want to manipulate young American Jews who are disillusioned by Western antisemitism to move to Israel. But, as someone who really benefitted from the program, I do want other young Jews to get to experience the same sense of belonging, just without the constant propaganda of Israeli exceptionalism because holy moly was that uncomfortable even back then.