Israeli Official Proposes Purchasing Greek Islands for Jewish Refugee Haven

A member of Israel's Kahol Lavan party suggested using Jewish National Fund resources to buy Greek islands for Jewish citizens' safety during crises. The proposal faced criticism and was largely rejected at a Himnuta board meeting, with members citing the JNF's mandate against acquiring foreign land. The initiative was reportedly inspired by security threats, particularly from Iran's missile capabilities. The idea of acquiring Greek islands is not new, having been previously considered in 2012 but deemed unnecessary.

Published Mar 26, 2026

A representative of Israel's Kahol Lavan party proposed purchasing Greek islands using Jewish National Fund (JNF) resources to provide a haven for Jewish citizens in emergencies. The initiative was largely criticized and rejected at a Himnuta board meeting, with concerns over the JNF's mandate against foreign land acquisitions.

AI-curated by Theia

The proposal was influenced by security threats from long-range missiles, particularly from Iran. In 2012, a similar idea was dismissed by then-Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The JNF, established in 1901, focuses on land development for Jewish settlers in Israel.