The Ashkelon Local Committee Tried to Collect 117 Million Shekels. It Will Pay 50,000 Shekels

The Southern District Appeals Committee canceled the Ashkelon Local Committee's demand to collect a betterment levy of 117.3 million shekels from the Israel Electric Corporation for converting the Rutenberg power station from coal to gas. It was determined that the assessment was baseless, and the committee was ordered to pay 50,000 shekels in costs.

The Ashkelon Local Planning and Building Committee attempted to collect a betterment levy of 117.3 million shekels from the Israel Electric Corporation, following the conversion of the Rutenberg power station from coal to gas. The Southern District Appeals Committee rejected the demand, ruling that the assessment lacked planning and appraisal basis. The local committee was ordered to pay the electric company 50,000 shekels in costs. The decision was based on the fact that the two plans under which the levy was imposed—National Outline Plan 37 and a 2022 work plan—do not justify collecting a betterment levy, and that no increase in the station's value or the company's profitability was proven.