The Fund, with the help of several millionaires, is also buying large amounts of land throughout Judea and Samaria in an effort to connect neighboring Jewish communities or join them with towns within the pre-1967 border.
Since its purchases began two decades ago, the Fund has bought more than 5,000 acres throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha), according to the Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot's Ynet website.
Jordanian law stipulates the death punishment for anyone selling land to Jews, and Palestinian Authority hit squads have murdered several Arabs who acted as middle-men in such deals in recent years. The sellers are usually farmers who need the money and do not necessarily know that the prospective buyers are Jewish.
G., an Arab land agent, revealed that his commission is 20% of every transaction's value. He explained, "From the standpoint [of the Arab seller], the sale is to Arabs. That is our way of protecting him. It has happened more than once that [the seller believes] that I represent Jordanian land developers. Most of the land is next to existing Jewish communities, and they need more."
Former General Security Service (Shabak) agents often are employed by the Fund, according to the report. They provide information on names of those who work and own the land.
"Many of the Arab landowners use the money to move to the United States," said one of the millionaires who contributes to the Fund. "That way we not only strengthen Jewish [presence], but also help Arabs move out," he added.
Since its purchases began two decades ago, the Fund has bought more than 5,000 acres throughout Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha), according to the Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot's Ynet website.
Jordanian law stipulates the death punishment for anyone selling land to Jews, and Palestinian Authority hit squads have murdered several Arabs who acted as middle-men in such deals in recent years. The sellers are usually farmers who need the money and do not necessarily know that the prospective buyers are Jewish.
G., an Arab land agent, revealed that his commission is 20% of every transaction's value. He explained, "From the standpoint [of the Arab seller], the sale is to Arabs. That is our way of protecting him. It has happened more than once that [the seller believes] that I represent Jordanian land developers. Most of the land is next to existing Jewish communities, and they need more."
Former General Security Service (Shabak) agents often are employed by the Fund, according to the report. They provide information on names of those who work and own the land.
"Many of the Arab landowners use the money to move to the United States," said one of the millionaires who contributes to the Fund. "That way we not only strengthen Jewish [presence], but also help Arabs move out," he added.