The Jewish National Fund (JNF) board will approve a new policy on Sunday that will allow the organization to officially buy land in the West Bank for the potential expansion of Israeli settlements there, according to a draft resolution I obtained.
Why it matters: JNF, a non-governmental organization founded in 1901 to purchase land so that Jews can settle in Ottoman Palestine, today owns 15% of all the land in Israel. This major policy change could spill hundreds of millions of dollars into expanding settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law.
The move comes as the Biden administration begins to roll back Trump’s policies to legitimize settlements.
- It has been driven by pressure from the Israeli settlement lobby, which has set itself the goal of growing the population of Jewish settlers in “Area C” – the 60% of the West Bank completely controlled by Israel – to one million, from about 400,000. today.
The backstory: Since 1967, JNF has refrained from direct involvement in buying land in the West Bank, partly because of objections from US donors.
- JNF was controlled by the center-left Labor Party for years, but has been led by a right-wing, pro-settler politician since October.
- Right-wing parties have managed to take over most of the leadership positions in Zionist organizations such as the JNF, which are a major source of funding and political appointments for Israel’s political parties.
Details: According to the draft resolution, JNF will operate in the West Bank to develop settlements through projects, education, forestry and environmental protection.
- The resolutions emphasized that the JNF will only buy private land from Palestinians that will be used to expand existing settlements, not build new ones.
- JNF will not buy land in areas A and B – the 40% of the West Bank that is wholly or partially controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
- The land to be purchased must be within the jurisdiction of an existing settlement or directly adjacent to it.
- Foreign donations will only be used to purchase land in the West Bank if the transactions are legal under the law in the donor’s country.
- The resolution lists priority areas for land purchase, including the Jordan Valley and other areas deep in the West Bank.
Between the lines: Due to its political and diplomatic sensitivity, JNF leaders tried to keep this movement under the radar. A paper version of the draft resolution was handed to board members, who were asked to keep it discreet, sources familiar with the matter say.
- Worth nothing: In recent years, JNF operated through a sister company on a limited basis in the West Bank.
- JNF said in a statement: “Over the years we have worked all over Israel, including Judea and Samaria. The Sunday meeting is designed to approve policy principles based on legal advice we have obtained. At this stage, we do not intend to establish a new development area in Judea and Samaria. “
What’s next: Representatives of the center-left parties on the JNF board are trying to block the resolution.
- They argue that such a major policy change is inappropriate during an election campaign and could create tensions with the new Biden government.