Ameinu strongly condemns the decision taken by the Executive Board of the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemet L’Israel (JNF-KKL) to approve a proposal allowing the organization to purchase land in the West Bank to expand Jewish settlements. Kenneth Bob, President of Ameinu, stated that, “The vote by the Executive Board is a troubling sign that the JFF-KKL is actively working against a two-state solution. Further settlement expansion can do irreparable damage to the prospect of peace between Israel and Palestine and is counter to the interests of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Ameinu calls on the full board of the JNF/KKL to reject this damaging, provocative, and needless policy. Ameinu, as a progressive Zionist organization, recognizes the JNF-KKL’s long history in the development of the State of Israel and believes that work should continue in the Negev, Galil and periphery of Israel. It should not function as an organ of the government of Israel to create harmful facts on the ground. This move will only hamper any attempts that the new Biden administration may undertake to revitalize the moribund negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians for a mutually beneficial agreement. As Ned Price, the US State Department spokesman said last week when responding to questions about the proposed JNF-KKL plan, “We believe it is critical to refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions and that undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution.”
Ameinu will work with colleagues in Israel and in the Diaspora to continue the effort to defeat this dangerous proposal.
