Jerusalem Municipality Sues Husseini Family for NIS 4.9 Million in Property Taxes on Orient House

The Jerusalem Municipality has filed a lawsuit against the Husseini family, demanding payment of 4.9 million shekels in outstanding property taxes for the Orient House building. The property, located in the Bab al-Zahra neighborhood of East Jerusalem, has been closed by government order since 2001. Despite being vacant, the law requires payment of municipal taxes on empty properties.

The Husseini family, a prominent Palestinian family in Jerusalem for around 150 years, owns the building through the Husseini Waqf, a family trust. The Orient House was historically significant as the headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Jerusalem during the 1980s and 1990s. It was established in the late 19th century by Ismail Husseini and served various roles including a hotel and a guesthouse for high-profile visitors. The government ordered its closure in August 2001 amid the Second Intifada, and it has remained empty since.

The municipality previously sued the Waqf in 2019 for 2.8 million shekels in earlier tax debts, which the parties agreed to settle in 2024. However, due to non-payment, the municipality has opened enforcement proceedings and now demands payment for the years 2020 to 2025, including interest and linkage differentials. The current lawsuit was filed at the Jerusalem District Court through attorney Lior Shapira, and no defense has yet been submitted by the defendants.

The Orient House case highlights ongoing disputes over municipal tax obligations on Palestinian-owned properties in East Jerusalem, especially those closed by government decree. The Husseini family includes notable figures such as Abd al-Qader Husseini, a commander during Israel's War of Independence, and Faisal Husseini, a senior Palestinian Authority leader.