KKL-JNF's new chairman: Israel must ‘give back’ to Diaspora Jewry

Eyal Ostrinsky, the new chairman of Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), announced a shift in the organization's focus to actively support Diaspora Jewish communities facing rising antisemitism, stating, "Israel is the state of the Jewish people. It is the homeland of the Jewish people, and right now we need to stand beside Jewish communities around the world and help them deal with their challenges." KKL-JNF plans to double its budget for combating antisemitism and developing Jewish leadership on university campuses to 6 million shekels ($1.8 million), and invest an additional 10-20 million shekels ($3-6 million) in Jewish organizations. The organization also aims to partner with the Jewish Agency to establish a global center for Jewish security. Simultaneously, KKL-JNF is reaffirming its historic mission of settlement, forestry, and national development within Israel, committing over one billion shekels ($331 million) to rebuild communities affected by recent conflicts, particularly in the Gaza Envelope and northern border regions. Ostrinsky, the youngest chairman in KKL-JNF's 125-year history, also addressed the organization's policy on Judea and Samaria, clarifying that support for farms beyond the Green Line will be limited to educational projects.