The IDF will vacate the so-called “small block” in the north Tel Aviv neighborhood of Tel Baruch in 2007, making the land available for the construction of thousands of housing units. The land is some of the most expensive in Israel. Under and agreement between the Ministry of Defense and Adv. Moshe Shoob, the ministry will pay landowners NIS 10 million for using the land since the 1970s. The Tel Aviv District Court has approved the agreement.

The attorney representing many of the landowners said, “The story began in the 1970s, when the state asked to occupy a 25-dunam (6.25-acre) lot, part of a 284-dunam (71-acre) lot, in northwest Tel Aviv owned by hundreds of private landowners. The period of the occupancy was for three years. The state placed antennas on the site, known as Radar Hill. After three years, not only was the site not vacated, but the state expanded the area occupied, without any authorization, basically taking squatters’ rights. Most of the landowners began legal measures against the state in the mid-1990s to get the land back.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 6, 2005

Last Updated: 07-11-2005