"Smoke coming out of their ears": hundreds of illegal buildings in a Negev settlement - and no enforcement
A Be'er Sheva District Court judge demanded the state speed up enforcement on private land in the Negev, after hundreds of illegal buildings were built on a plot of about 600 dunams and only three legal proceedings have been filed since the August 2023 ruling.
Be'er Sheva District Court Judge Gad Gideon demanded the state accelerate enforcement on private land in the Negev and present an action plan within two weeks, after it emerged that only three legal proceedings have been filed since the August 2023 ruling. The case concerns a private Jewish-owned plot of land in al-Zarnug, spanning about 600 dunams, purchased in 1935. Hundreds of illegal buildings have been built on the land. The Regavim movement, which accompanies the landowners, filed a contempt-of-court request, arguing that enforcement is insufficient and that construction has expanded. The state claims it has carried out dozens of administrative demolition orders, while the landowners presented documentation showing that buildings reported as enforced against are still standing. The judge made clear that the absence of a regularization solution does not cancel the obligation to comply with the ruling. The next hearing was set for November 17.