Residents Continue Paying Property Tax on Ruined Homes After Iranian Missile Strike in Tel Aviv

More than a year after an Iranian missile struck buildings on Pinsker Street in Tel Aviv during Operation Shield and Sword in June 2025, two heavily damaged structures remain unrepaired amid ongoing struggles for displaced residents. Although the missile attack caused only minor injuries, many residents were evacuated and now face prolonged delays in reconstruction, with some still living in rented apartments while continuing to pay property tax on their uninhabitable homes.

One tenant explained that he was initially promised rental assistance until repairs were completed, but recently the aid was abruptly stopped despite the building remaining unsafe. He described the area as resembling a war zone and said he avoids passing through the street due to the traumatic memories. A building owner added that bureaucratic obstacles, especially from the tax authority, delayed cleanup and restoration efforts, which they initially funded themselves. She estimates it will take another year and a half before residents can return.

The damaged buildings are historically significant, dating back to the late 1920s and early 1930s, featuring international and eclectic architectural styles. The site also housed the iconic Cafe Noga, a cultural hotspot since 1941 frequented by bohemians and soldiers, which played a key role in Tel Aviv's social life.

The Tel Aviv municipality acknowledged the severe damage and noted that some parts of the buildings, including sections of Cafe Noga, can be restored. They are processing building permits and preservation incentives, contingent on residents' agreement. Regarding property tax, the municipality stated that although it understands residents' hardships, tax exemptions are regulated by law. The properties have exhausted their full exemption period, and currently pay a reduced rate, with no authority for further waivers beyond legal provisions.