JNF controversy: Haim Menachem, who serves on the JNF's board of directors on behalf of the Likud, was elected today (Sunday) to head the MAPAC committee – the Land Development Administration (the JNF's strongest committee) with the votes of left-wing representatives – contrary to the agreement between the right-wing factions that wanted to appoint Yehoshua Sherman. The latter was supposed to be appointed on behalf of Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich, but in a last-minute snap, Menachem put himself up for election with the support of the left and the reform streams.
Behind the scenes, the JNF claims that Haim Menachem, a Likud representative affiliated with Miki Zohar, acted independently against the coalition in the organization after he demanded that the finance minister act on behalf of a dormitory association he heads in the north and was refused.
According to an agreement between the Likud and Smotrich, the Settlement Division was supposed to remain in the hands of the Likud, while Joshua Sherman was supposed to be appointed head of the JNF Division. Netanyahu and Smotrich (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
As stated, according to an agreement between the Likud and Smotrich, the Settlement Division was supposed to remain in the hands of the Likud, while Joshua Sherman was supposed to be appointed head of the JNF Division. Cohen, who owns a chain of daycare centers, sent threatening messages to Smotrich's people who would solve his tax problem at the daycare network or that he would blow up the agreement and prevent Sherman's appointment – which happened today.
JNF officials told Israel Hayom: "We will not surrender to blackmail by threats. Underworld methods are not in our school. If Menachem complies with his refusal to comply with the agreements that were established, the matter will be transferred to a legal examination and will even be examined if there is a criminal aspect to his conduct."
Haim Menachem said in response to the allegations against him: "My election today expressed the desire of the members of the JNF board of directors, for the benefit of the company and its activities, and I believe that I will be a loyal emissary for the JNF's goals. The attempts in recent days to intimidate me in a criminal style, or the baseless and evil claim regarding other issues that have nothing to do with the work of the JNF, are false and will not affect me and my path and contribution to the JNF. It is very unfortunate that people who appear to be values behave in such a vile manner."
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