Israel Matzav

Saudis trying to 'redeem' land in the Galilee

Are there Saudi sheikhs trying to 'redeem' land in the Galilee? This report suggests that the answer is yes.

“Approximately four years ago, I was visited by a Jewish gentleman,” said Cohen. “He sat down in my office and presented himself as a wealthy real estate agent who is seeking to purchase lands. He said he would like to purchase hundreds of acres of land, no matter what they have been designated for. He wanted to purchase whatever was available.”

Cohen said that during the course of the conversation, the so-called “real estate agent” proceeded to offer a bribe. “All of a sudden he told me, ‘I can make you a rich man.’ I asked him, ‘What do you mean? I have enough money.’ He told me that he could make me a rich man and that he had more than enough money to do so. ‘Listen’, he said, ‘we’re talking about big money. You will be a rich man.’ I continued to question him and then he told me that he is a representative of Sheikh from Saudi Arabia who redeems land.”

Cohen removed the agent from his office. He added, however, that he knows of attempts by the same individual as well as others to buy lands in places such as Kfar Tavor, Yesud HaMa’ala, and other northern towns. “I heard that he was successful in Rosh Pinna and in Merhavia, but I’m not certain [if this is true],” said Cohen, and added that the offers that were received were in sums that were “twice or even three times higher than the price [of the lands]. It is a huge temptation for those who are undergoing financial difficulties.”

Cohen explained that since the lands of Yavne’el and other communities in the region are private lands, it becomes difficult to determine the identity of the financial investor behind each acquisition. He added that the heads of the local councils in the region have gotten together, and when one of them becomes aware of a similar attempt to acquire lands by a foreign factor, they share the information in order to warn one another.

According to Cohen, these Arab buyers have so far managed to purchase lands in several places, and that these lands are now registered “in the name of an Islamic organization that most likely belongs to a northern branch of the Islamic Movement.”

I've heard stories like this in Jerusalem as well. Israeli law provides no answer to this problem. Hmmm.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:04 PM