MERCAZ USA Newsletter — Fall 2007

UN Votes Against JNF-US

Despite the efforts of dozens of members of Congress and a century of environmental work that is recognized internationally, the Jewish National Fund-U.S. was denied consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

JNF's application was rejected by a vote of 8 to 7, with 3 absentations. Voting in favor of JNF were Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Voting against were Burundi, China, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea, Qatar, Russia and Sudan.

The Economic and Social Council serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations systems. Currently, 2,800 NGO's (non-governmental organizations) enjoy consultative status at the U.N.

JNF-US sought the special status in view of its expertise in water reclamation, sustainable development and forestation, three issues that are the key components of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals of 2015. JNF, whose president Ronald Lauder has just been elected to the top position in the World Jewish Congress, now will need to wait three years before re-applying.

Several present and past MERCAZ USA leaders serve in important positions on the JNF-US Executive Committee including MERCAZ President Dr. Stephen S. Wolnek, who is Vice-President of Community Affairs, Robert Levine, Vice-President of Education, and Joseph Hess, Vice-President of Government Relations. In addition, MERCAZ, as the Zionist arm of the Conservative Movement, holds seven positions on the JNF Board of Trustees as part of the 45-member Zionist representation on JNF's governing board.

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