The board of the National Jewish Fund (JNF) is due to approve a new policy on Sunday that will allow the organization to officially purchase land in the West Bank for the potential expansion of Israeli settlements there, according to a draft resolution we obtained.
Why does it matter: A non-governmental organization founded in 1901 to buy land for Jews to settle in Ottoman Palestine, the JNF now owns 15% of all land in Israel. This major policy change could channel hundreds of millions of dollars to the expansion of West Bank settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
The move comes as the Biden administration begins to withdraw Trump’s policies to legitimize settlements.
- It was driven by pressure from the Israeli settlement lobby, which set a target of increasing the population of Jewish “C-zone” settlers – 60% of the West Bank, which is entirely controlled by Israel – to one million to about 400,000 today.
The story behind it: Since 1967, the JNF has refrained from direct involvement in land purchase in the West Bank, in part because of objections from US donors.
- For many years, the JNF was controlled by the center-left Labor Party, but since October it has been led by a right-wing, pro-colonist politician.
- Right-wing parties have managed to take over most leadership positions in Zionist organizations such as the JNF, which is a major source of funding and political appointments for Israeli political parties.
Details: According to the draft resolution, the JNF will operate in the West Bank to develop project settlements, education, afforestation and environmental protection.
- The resolutions emphasize that the JNF will only purchase private land owned by the Palestinians, which will be used to expand existing settlements, not to build new ones.
- JNF will not buy land in areas A and B – 40% of the West Bank, which is wholly or partly controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
- The land to be purchased must be under the jurisdiction of an existing settlement or immediately adjacent to it.
- Foreign donations will only be used to purchase land in the West Bank if the transactions are legal under the law of the donor’s country.
- The resolution includes a list of priority areas for land purchase, including the Jordan Valley and other deep areas in the West Bank.
Between the lines: Due to his political and diplomatic sensitivity, JNF leaders tried to keep this movement under radar. A paper copy of the draft resolution was delivered manually to board members, who were asked to keep it discreet, sources familiar with the matter told me.
- Not worth anything: In recent years, JNF has operated on a limited basis in the West Bank through a sister company.
- JNF said in a statement: “Over the years I have worked everywhere in Israel, including Judea and Samaria. Sunday’s meeting is meant to approve the principles of the policy based on a legal opinion we have obtained. At this stage we do not intend to establish a new development zone in Judea and Samaria. “
What’s next: Representatives of the center-left parties in the JNF council are trying to block the resolution.
- They argue that such a major political change is inadequate during an election campaign and could create tensions with the new Biden administration.