Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2017
Loans to senior JNF-USA officers
The New York attorney general's office ordered JNF-USA to rescind two loans totaling more than $500,000 made to its chief executive and chief financial officer, citing restrictions on charitable insider loans.
2011
Challenge to U.S. tax-exempt status
JNF-USA's tax status was challenged because of alleged inconsistency between its fundraising role and land policies criticized as discriminatory toward non-Jews.
1996
JNF-USA donation-management controversy
JNF-USA was accused of poor financial management, including claims that only a limited portion of U.S. donations reached Israel and that funds were routed through Latin American offices. The controversy led to the resignation of North American managers.
Criticism concerning Palestinian and Bedouin land rights
Human-rights groups and Palestinian and Bedouin advocates have criticized JNF over land acquisition, forestation on or near former Palestinian village sites, displacement concerns, leasing policies, and development affecting Bedouin communities.
Environmental criticism of forestry practices
Environmental critics have questioned the extensive planting of non-native pine trees, the use of herbicides, wildfire risks, and the level of public oversight of forestry decisions.
Funding of military and settlement-related infrastructure
Documents associated with JNF Canada's fundraising described support for Israeli military facilities and a hilltop settler outpost that Israeli authorities considered illegal, prompting criticism of overseas donor use.