Blair patron of charity that shows Gaza and West Bank as part of Israel
A UK charity linked to former Prime Minister Tony Blair features a map on its website that shows the occupied Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza Strip as territories belonging to Israel.
The UK chapter of Israel's Jewish National Fund (JNF), which names Blair as an honorary supporter, has faced significant backlash in the past for its actions, including a £1 million donation to what is described as "Israel's largest militia."
The British organization, recognized as a charity, is now facing the possibility of becoming involved in a new controversy due to a map displayed on its official website.
At 3 PM on Friday, the website, as seen by Middle East Eye, shows a fundraising campaign for the activities of JNF UK in the Negev, a desert area in the southern part of Israel.
The site states that while the center of Israel is thriving and densely populated, the outskirts have plenty of room for millions of new houses, yet they lack adequate infrastructure.
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It emphasizes that JNF UK is dedicated to revitalizing its outskirts and improving the quality of life across the entire area by attracting fresh investment.
Beside this text is a map that hasn't been discussed before. It shows not just Israel, but also the areas it occupies. This encompasses the occupied Palestinian territories, such as the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, as well as the Golan Heights, which is located in the southwestern part of Syria.
The map seems to show these regions as included within the state of Israel. It doesn't differentiate them from the sections on the map that are confirmed to be part of Israel.
This goes against the legal standing of these areas as recognized by international law. It also conflicts with the British government's stance, which acknowledges that the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the Golan Heights are occupied by Israel.
The map is important because JNF UK has financially supported unauthorized Israeli settlements in territory that is occupied by Palestinians.
Middle East Eye reached out to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) to inquire if the institute or Tony Blair would like to provide a comment. However, they had not received a reply by the time the article was published.
MEE also inquired if Blair plans to step down from his position as honorary patron of JNF UK.
In addition to Blair, other notable honorary patrons are Britain's Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
'Violation Of British Government Policy'
Several other British prime ministers have held the title of honorary patrons for the charity, such as Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Cameron stepped down from this position shortly after taking office in Downing Street in 2011, allegedly due to political pressures.
Mira Naseer, a legal officer with the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), explained to MEE: "These actions to claim Israeli control over occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories directly violate the policy of the British government, not to mention the consistent statements from the International Court of Justice and the United Nations Security Council."
JNF Canada is being investigated for allegedly using donated funds to support projects for the Israeli military, according to a report.
The map might go against international law, but it is just the most recent issue in a long line of disputes that have surrounded the charity, which is the UK branch of the Israeli organization Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, established over a hundred years ago.
Established in 1901 to acquire land in what was then Ottoman Palestine, the organization has a long history of contributing to the displacement of Palestinians and the degradation of the natural environment in the occupied Palestinian Territories.
As a registered charity, its branch in the UK benefits from tax deductions on contributions.
Although UK law forbids charities from participating in political activities, JNF UK has backed Israeli settlements, which are considered unlawful by international standards.
The financial records reveal that from 2015 to 2018, more than £1 million was paid to HaShomer HaChadash (HH), a group that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz characterized as transitioning from a "marginal right-wing group" to "the largest militia in Israel."
Haaretz has indicated that HH was instrumental in protecting unauthorized settler outposts in the occupied West Bank, which included conducting patrols in the area.
Charity Commission Ends Investigation Plans
In 2022, the Charity Commission, which oversees charitable organizations in Britain, launched an investigation into JNF UK. This was prompted by remarks made by its chair, Samuel Hayek, who stated that "there is no word for 'peace' in Islam."
However, the review was wrapped up in July 2023, stating that "guidance and regulatory advice concerning how to use social media and the behavior of trustees was provided to the trustees, and we are pleased to see that they have taken action on it."
The regulatory body has assured MEE that it is not conducting any investigations into the charity at this time.
It's not shocking that JNF UK openly shows its contempt for international law.
- Mira Naseer, Legal Officer at ICJP
In August, the ICJP sent a letter to Richard Hermer KC, the UK attorney general, requesting that he cancel the organization's charitable status.
Mira Naseer, the legal officer at the ICJP, explained to MEE: "The actions of JNF UK—such as its long-term financial support for unlawful Israeli settlements, involvement in the forced removal of Palestinians, and backing of aggressive settler groups—represent breaches of international law and contradict its stated charitable aims."
The British government has been fully informed about the actions of JNF UK. In August, ICJP contacted the attorney general regarding the illegal activities of JNF UK, but the government has chosen not to respond.
It's not surprising that JNF UK openly shows its disregard for international law on its website.
This follows an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued in July, in which it concluded that Israel's prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories is "illegal." The court also stated that Israel's "almost total separation" of individuals in the occupied West Bank violates international laws related to "racial segregation" and "apartheid."
The court determined that states should not provide any form of support for Israel's unlawful occupation.
Earlier this month, the Canadian division of JNF was unsuccessful in its attempt to prevent the country’s tax authority from taking away its charitable status. This decision came after a lengthy audit that uncovered the organization's use of donations to support infrastructure for the Israeli military, which is considered a foreign military force. Such activities are against Canada’s Tax Code.
As of 2007, the Jewish National Fund (JNF) owned approximately 13 percent of what is now Israel, including areas that are currently considered Palestinian territories.
JNF also stated that more than 70 percent of the Israeli population resides on land that it owns. Its policies prohibit the sale or rental of land to non-Jews, which goes against international law.
