Israel Lands Authority Delays Private Land Allocation at Sde Dov Over Pollution Concerns

The Israel Lands Authority (ILA) submitted an update to the Herzliya Magistrate's Court regarding soil contamination tests in the Sde Dov district. This follows the court's decision to postpone the land allocation lottery among approximately 1,700 landowners in the large block until the ILA completes its environmental assessments and reports its findings. The lottery, initially scheduled for late June, was deferred to August 11 at the request of land managers who argued that without clarity on the extent of pollution, remediation methods, and cost responsibilities, it is impossible to fairly assess land values and rights distribution.

Judge Yaakov Shaked described the delay as minor compared to the risk of discovering significant pollution disparities between sites, which could affect cleanup costs, timelines, and property valuations. However, the ILA's recent court update did not provide a comprehensive pollution map or detailed findings for specific plots. Instead, it outlined progress in testing procedures and necessary approvals, noting that environmental protection guidelines were updated following the Water Authority's request.

The update also revealed that the Steering Committee for Contaminated Land Treatment approved increased funding to continue contractor investigations, and the ILA submitted testing plans for approval by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. These plans remain unapproved and are expected to take about another month to clear, meaning the land allocation lottery cannot proceed until the contamination scope and its implications are fully understood.

The land rights in the large block are divided among three areas: two in the Sde Dov district (the southern Eshkol complex and northern Complex 2) and the northwest city district plan 3700, totaling roughly 2,721 housing unit equivalents. The process to dissolve joint ownership among these landowners began in 1975, with significant progress made last September when the court approved the rights table and initially allocated rights. Landowners must choose which area to exercise their rights in, with the final lottery intended to assign remaining rights in preferred or alternative areas.

Until the environmental assessments are complete and approved, the allocation process remains on hold, leaving landowners awaiting clarity on contamination risks and remediation responsibilities.