Jewish National Fund

The Jewish National Fund (Hebrew קרן קימת לישראל, Keren Kajemeth LeIsrael literally Finanzbemühung for Israel) ( abbreviated as JNF or KKL) in Jerusalem sees itself as part of the Zionist movement, the Jewish people is to make life in Palestine. It promotes environmental projects in Israel and operates nationwide in forestry.

History

The Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 in Basel by Johann Kremenezky on behalf of and at the initiative of Theodor Herzl as a pioneer of a Jewish state. Until 1948, he operated mainly the purchase of land for Jewish settlers in the British Mandate of Palestine, based on financial assistance from the Jewish communities around the world.

Since the founding of Israel, the Jewish National Fund engaged in the cultivation of the land, including by planting (to date) 260 million trees. Since an agreement with the Israeli government in 1961, the organization is responsible for afforestation and forestry.

The focus of his activities is ten years in the management and reproduction of the scarce water resources of the country.

Association's activities in Germany

The German branch of the JNF was founded as an association in 1953 in Dusseldorf. The headquarters of the nonprofit organization is Dusseldorf, offices in Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin and Dusseldorf.

Around 16,000 donors in Germany support the Jewish National Fund regularly in its projects for greening of Israel. In events, lectures, exhibitions and planting journeys of the Jewish National Fund clarifies about the need for reforestation of Israel. For outstanding contribution to the work of the JNF once the Golden olive branch is awarded the highest distinction in the year.

The most important projects are the re-greening the Negev desert and the building of long term vital water reservoirs.

The actions and projects of the JNF to send a message of solidarity with Israel.

The Fund is connected to Germany in a special way through the forest project of the German states in Be'er Sheva. Thanks to the many donations from Germany 420,000 trees in the " forest of the German states " in Israel have already been planted.

Furthermore, the JNF initiated the forest of nations, symbolic trees will be planted as a sign of solidarity in the behalf of State and Government. In June 2013 protested the former Ambassador of South Africa to Israel, Ismail Coovadia, against the use of his name for the afforestation of the area over the destroyed Bedouin village of al - Araqib. He feel the use of his name by the JNF as a violation of his moral integrity and dignity.

Support

The JNF is funded by private donations and discounts.

Criticism

In recent years, criticism of the JNF has been variously loud, including in the politics of Keren Kajemeth LeIsrael (Financial Fund for Israel) and operated by the JNF geopolitics, in the context, inter alia, also to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Environmental protection and cooperation

There are a number of projects in the JNF and the Bedouins work closely together. The aim of this JNF projects is to improve the quality of life of the Bedouin population of the Negev. Thus, a water reservoir were in the Bedouin town of Rahat built and created the " Gerar River Park " and the accompanying promenade. To improve awareness of the environment, the JNF - KKL has the "Clean up Campaign " was launched, is in on the problem of pollution noted by man. Similarly, the JNF has created plantations which serve to counteract caused by overgrazing soil erosion and desertification and improve soil quality. This is also beneficial for the Bedouins and their flocks.