Congress letter pushes JNF as NGO

Three U.S. representatives initiated a congressional letter that would urge the United Nations to recognize the Jewish National Fund as a non-governmental organization “We are writing to express our strong support for the application by the Jewish National Fund-United States (JNF-US) for consultative status at the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),” said the letter initiated by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.); Robert Wexler (D-Fla.); and Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). It was addressed to ambassadors of nations currently serving on ECOSOC. “Granting JNF-US consultative status will enable its experts to testify and actively participate in United Nations conferences on areas of its expertise including sustainable development, water and environmental issues,” the letter said. The three lawmakers have a May 7 deadline for other Congress members to sign on. JNF’s application is expected to face resistance from Arab countries.