Former Israel Land Authority Head Warns of Lawsuits Over Sde Dov Contamination

Yanki Kuint, former director general of the Israel Land Authority (ILA), stated that the state is responsible for addressing contamination at the former Sde Dov airport site in Tel Aviv, which resulted from the airport's operations. He advised developers to meticulously document all delays in development and marketing due to the contamination and then file lawsuits against the state.

Speaking at the Globes and Bank Leumi Israel Real Estate Conference, Kuint emphasized that the Ministry of Finance should lead the cleanup efforts. He defended the ILA's actions, stating they had fulfilled their obligations and received clearance for the land, with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and planning institutions being involved.

Conversely, attorney Galit Rozovsky, a partner at Avraham Neeman & Co., downplayed the severity of the contamination, describing it as a localized issue that the polluter would pay to clean. She urged the state to complete necessary tests but argued against exaggerating the problem, noting it affects individual plots rather than the entire complex. Rozovsky stressed the importance of proceeding with land lotteries for property owners awaiting the development of the "ancestral land."

Kuint also addressed the slowdown in housing sales at Sde Dov, attributing it to the varied nature of the plots, some affected by contamination and others not. He suggested that price reductions are necessary to boost sales and predicted a market upturn after the upcoming elections if a sense of renewal emerges.

Rozovsky highlighted the significant housing potential of the Sde Dov area, with tens of thousands of units planned, calling it a "dream" development. She also reiterated the urgency of the land lottery process, which has been delayed by the contamination discovery, stating it is crucial for property owners to finalize deals with developers.

Kuint further described the Sde Dov project as a "strategic event" that created a domino effect, potentially drawing residents away from other Tel Aviv neighborhoods and surrounding cities due to its appeal and falling prices.

Finally, Kuint expressed concern over the lack of a permanent director general at the ILA since his departure in late 2025, citing a severe decline in public service due to unaddressed issues like low salaries and a negative discourse surrounding civil servants, which deters qualified individuals from taking on key roles.