The Jerusalem Post, Internet News Article,
June 30th, 2000:
JNF admits some
saplings uprooted
By Eli Muller
JERUSALEM (June 30) - Jewish National Fund officials
yesterday reluctantly admitted that an article in Ma'ariv, reporting
that saplings planted by tourists were uprooted after their departure
to allow more tourists to plant more saplings on the same site, may
have been correct.
However, the officials insisted that this was an aberration rather
than general practice.
The article, by Yaron Kanar, described saplings and dedication
signs being consigned to the garbage heap. The article was
accompanied by a photo of tourists planting saplings near
Hadassah-University Hospital, Ein Kerem, and another photo taken the
following day of the same area, conspicuously treeless.
The article quoted an unnamed JNF source who stated that groups of
tourists are taken to plant saplings in the same areas day after
day.
According to Yehiel Leket, chairman of the JNF directorate,
discussions between JNF officials and Kanar had prompted the
formation of an investigative committee, which concluded that workers
at the planting area had disobeyed orders and uprooted saplings. The
workers and their immediate supervisor were suspended pending further
investigation.
JNF officials nonetheless condemned the article for giving the
impression that this was a common practice. Leket said that the
allegations should be viewed in the proper perspective. "...This is
not [systematic], not JNF policy," he said.
Tourism Minister Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said the allegations pose a
significant threat to tourism, and announced that those responsible
ought to be dealt with harshly should the allegations be
confirmed.
Earlier this week the JNF faced another public debacle, after it
was revealed that it had been bilked out of over $16 million in its
attempt to extend its lease of lands owned by the Greek Orthodox
Church.
Yona Bezaleli, head of the Jewish Agency Workers Union, released a
letter Monday addressed to Agency chairman Sallai Meridor and other
officials, accusing JNF management of recklessness bordering on the
criminal and requesting that an assembly of Zionist leaders oust
those responsible.
