The fund helps the PLO and Abbas enlist the support of the Palestinian refugees in neighboring countries. For example, the National Trust is funded medical care for Palestinian refugees in the refugee camps in Lebanon to the tune of millions of dollars a year. It also offers scholarships to Palestinian students abroad.
The PNF, which among other things is responsible for financing the activities of Palestinian embassies around the world, has become the petty cash of Palestinian diplomats and their families. For example, a document posted on social networks, signed by the Palestinian ambassador to Ankara Nabil Maarouf, he is asking the fund to cover the costs of his son’s nose job, the sum of $4,770.
Another report says the Palestinian ambassador in Vienna decided to promote his personal chauffeur to be in charge of embassy funds. The cost of this appointment, approved by the National Trust, comes to about $24 thousand. The reason for the surprising promotion: the previous finance man refused to approve the new ambassador’s irregular personal expenses.