42 Jerusalem Homeowners Sue Senior Judge Over Refusal to Approve Urban Renewal Deal

Forty-two apartment owners in Jerusalem have filed a lawsuit against Sarah Breiner, the President of the Regional Labor Court in Jerusalem, at the Jerusalem District Court. The plaintiffs demand enforcement of a demolition and reconstruction agreement (pinui binui) for their Beit HaKerem neighborhood complex or alternatively seek 3 million shekels in compensation. They claim the total economic damage from the stalled deal exceeds 35 million shekels but limited their claim to reduce court fees.

The project involves demolishing 41 old apartments in two buildings lacking protected spaces and essential infrastructure, replacing them with a new tower of 124 apartments. The plaintiffs, representing about 85% of the complex residents, signed the agreement with the developer, but Judge Breiner allegedly refuses to sign it herself. The plaintiffs request a declaratory judgment stating the judge’s refusal is unreasonable.

According to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, the agreement would grant owners new apartments larger by 25 square meters without additional payment, with the new apartments valued significantly higher than the old ones. They also highlight safety risks from living in the dilapidated buildings amid recent missile attacks and earthquakes, emphasizing the urgency of the project.

The lawsuit details attempts from July 2025 to April 2026 to resolve the issue without court intervention, but the judge’s refusal persists. The plaintiffs argue her objections, including demands for a sukkah balcony and appeal rights on appraisals, are unfounded and delay the project. They also dispute her claim about parallel agreements, stating both are identical covering all apartments.

The plaintiffs ask the court to authorize the deal’s execution and appoint their legal representative to sign on the judge’s behalf. They also plan to request the Supreme Court to transfer the case to another jurisdiction to avoid any appearance of bias, given the judge’s official position. The Labor Courts spokesperson, Ruth Shamir, said responses will be provided through the legal process.