Historic Land Decision Made
Attorney General allows land to be purchased by Jews and Arabs alike
TEL AVIV - Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided Wednesday all land managed by Israel Lands Administration, including land owned by the Jewish National Fund, can be sold without discrimination to Jews and non-Jews alike.
Adalah, an organization for Arab minority rights, appealed to the High Court of Justice several months ago claiming state discrimination after Israel Lands Administration restricted non-Jews from partaking in a tender for land in the northern town of Carmiel.
The petition cited the Administration's decision as racist and contrary to the fundamental principle of equality.
The Administration submitted a response to the High Court in November saying "land owned by the Administration is for the development of Jewish settlements o
nly, as all JNF money comes from Jewish donors."
Adalah said this decision contradicts the High Court's ruling in the Kadan case, whereby an Arab couple had requested permission to move to the settlement of Katzir, defined as "for Jews only."
The High Court had ruled the state and other affiliated agencies would be prohibited from discriminating against non-Jews, including all matters regarding land allocation.
JNF told Yedioth Ahronoth they have met with Justice officials to seek a solution to the decision, to either receive alternative land in exchange for land given to non-Jews, or to separate the JNF from the Administration.
"As long as the future of Israel's security is not secured, it's only fitting our land would be solely for Jewish settlers," a spokesman said.
