In the settlement of Tel Sheva, the Authority’s inspectors acted to enforce a ruling to evict trespassers from taking over land owned by the state, which was intended to be used for public buildings and residential lots. The trespassers fenced and demarcated for their personal use an area of about 3.5 dunams (less than one acre) which prevented the marketing of the lots for both residences and public buildings. In light of this, the Israel Lands Authority filed a lawsuit to vacate the land in 2018.

In addition, in the Mulda (Saeva) area, Israel Land Authority inspectors executed three land eviction orders, during which three illegal buildings were destroyed, one of which a hair salon was operating. Two buildings were destroyed by the squatters who built them after they decided to avoid financial claims for reimbursement of evacuation costs, filed by the Authority against squatters who do not evacuate themselves.

Attorney Shira Tam, Director of the Land Protection Division at the Israel Land Authority: “The phenomenon of encroachments on state lands in the Negev is large-scale and significant and is dealt with intensively and daily, with many achievements. We will continue to work across the country to clear state lands of invaders and trespassers.”