Court Halts Sde Dov Land Lottery Amid PFAS Contamination Concerns

A Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has postponed the lottery for land rights at Sde Dov, a former airport site, due to concerns over PFAS contamination. The court ruled against proceeding with the lottery, which would have allocated rights among thousands of private landowners, until the extent of the soil and groundwater contamination and its impact on the value of the rights are clarified. Some landowners, represented by attorney Doron Kochavi, requested the delay, while the management of the "Gush HaGadol" (Large Block) development argued for proceeding.

The decision comes after significant PFAS contamination was discovered, necessitating further testing. The court emphasized that its ruling is temporary and could change with new data. The contamination issue has also led to a separate legal battle, with the environmental group Adam Teva V'Din opposing a Supreme Court recommendation to dismiss its petition concerning PFAS regulation. The group argues that despite some government steps, crucial regulations to limit PFAS import and use have not been enacted, and contamination sites are expanding.

Adam Teva V'Din's petition, filed in late 2022, seeks comprehensive regulation of PFAS contamination. The state has reported 35 suspected PFAS sites nationwide, with 12 confirmed cases of contamination. These include Sde Dov, Sarokin Camp in Petah Tikva, and several airfields and fuel depots. The environmental group points to the continued discovery of new contamination sites and the disqualification of 18 drinking water wells due to PFAS levels as reasons for continued judicial oversight.

The court ordered the Israel Land Authority (ILA) to provide a detailed update on the contamination investigations by October 6, 2026. The ILA has indicated that funding for investigations has been approved and testing plans are awaiting environmental ministry approval. Adam Teva V'Din is urging the Supreme Court not to dismiss its petition but to set a deadline for the government to finalize regulations, citing the ongoing public health risks and the slow pace of regulatory action.