Published: 18 January 2019
Last updated: 4 March 2024
A report by the Times of Israel on January 13 claimed that a report into KKL-JNF by the Israeli Ministry of Justice recommended contemplating the dismantling of the organisation in the wake of widespread mismanagement at the top.
“The Justice Ministry document reportedly alleges, among other things, that Daniel Atar — head of the Israeli organisation since 2015 — was involved in dozens of appointments of political cronies and other associates, as well as sponsorship deals said to run contrary to KKL rules, and mismanagement,” the paper reported.
“Both the Canadian and Australian branches are understood to be dissatisfied with the Jerusalem office, and to be in talks with KKL Israel to redefine their relationships,” the paper said.
In response to the allegations, Dan Springer, CEO of JNF Australia, told The Jewish Independent: “JNF Australia is a separate and independent entity to KKL. Each of us is legally and operationally distinct, with our own separate Board of Directors, employees, and donors.
“Our donors select and designate where their contributions go and the projects and programs to support,” he said. “Not one dollar {raised by JNF Australia is] used to fund KKL. Any current or future disputes between KKL and the Government of Israel will therefore have no impact on JNF Australia or its donors.”
The Justice Ministry report alleged KKL boss Atar used organisation appointments to hand out favours, the Times of Israel reported. “Those said to have been given spots were associates from the Labor Party, friends from his army unit, and officials from the Gilboa Regional Council in northern Israel, which he used to lead.”
Photo: Israeli kids plant trees for the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat, in Haifa, in 2017, in a KKL-JNF forest. (Yossi Zeliger/Flash90)
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Accusing leader of cronyism, ministry report urges century-old KKL be dismantled (Times of Israel)
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