Resolution Concerning the Jewish National Fund
In 2008, OHALAH was a branch of ALEPH and adopted the following resolution:
We, the members of OHALAH, the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal:
In 2008, OHALAH was a branch of ALEPH and adopted the following resolution:
We, the members of OHALAH, the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal:
- Commend the Jewish National Fund in the United States (JNF-US) and Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (KKL) for their devotion to the Jewish people and the State of Israel and for its many projects to restore and honor the Land.
- Urge that JNF-US inform potential donors about the distinctions between giving to Blueprint Negev and giving to KKL, and about the fact that Blueprint Negev is the JNF-US name for the development projects in the Negev run by different organizations.
- Urge that JNF-US, KKL and its associate bodies throughout the world advocate for a change in Israeli law to ensure the social and political rights of the Bedouin population and the status of unrecognized villages and to recognize the moral responsibility to others dwelling amongst us demanded by our tradition, e.g., to refrain from destroying Bedouin communities to make room for new Jewish towns.
- Urge that JNF-US refrain from publicizing, promoting, or funding any project involving the demolition of any Bedouin home or community.
- Urge that JNF-US or its agents involved in Blueprint Negev provide studies demonstrating that all environmental concerns have been satisfactorily reviewed from the perspectives of sustainability and social impact by KKL’s Sustainability Committee and by other relevant review boards, and that any studies that have been previously completed or will be completed be made public.
- Urge that JNF-US direct Tnuat Or to make full disclosure of all its activities and allocations on the JNF-US and KKL web sites. We also urge that JNF-US effect the removal of all language from its promotional materials or the promotional materials of its affiliates that treats the Bedouin as a threat or speaks negatively about the Bedouin, especially from the material ofTnuat Or.