The Knesset amended the disastrous Disengagement Law on Monday night, allowing Jews to stay in Homesh (one of the communities eradicated in 2005). However, they will not be allowed to live there since that land is believed to be privately owned by PA Arabs and the law does not permit permanent construction there.
While the disengagement law stated that all land rights of Israeli residents in the evacuated areas were null and void, going forward the amended law does recognize land rights acquired by Israelis there. It also allows re-establishing the destroyed communities and includes a clause that allows Israelis to acquire land rights in northern Samaria. Now, prospective new and former resident are free to reclaim their state lands from the government and purchase those private Arab lands or ask the state to allocate to them new state lands.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented shortly after the legislation sparked international controversy that this does not mean that Jews will be allowed to reside in those evacuated communities or re-establish them. “With that, the government has no intention of establishing new communities in these areas.”
Does this sound like this is not a win for Israel?
David Israel points out “Now, here’s the real upside: the Disengagement Law stated that all land rights of the Israeli residents in the evacuated areas were null and void. The amended law recognizes forward land rights acquired by Israelis there. The amended law therefore allows the re-establishing of the destroyed settlements. It also includes a clause that allows Israelis to acquire land rights in northern Samaria. Now prospective settlers (and re-settlers) are free, in addition to reclaiming their state lands from the government, to also purchase those private Arab lands, or ask the state to allocate to them new state lands.”
It’s more than just about settlements, by Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, March 22, 2023