Research of Israel's Land Tenure Policies

To accompany and support MOSAIC COMMUNITIES activities, research into Israel's current and past land tenure policies is carried out with a view of furthering the specific projects the organization aims to implement.

The current situation in a nutshell
Today in Israel almost all communities and schools are segregated, keeping Arabs and Jews from developing a common civic society. This reality originates from a number of issues such as current land policies, land ownership and construction and housing policies:

Land Policies: State confiscation of land and the simultaneous rapid expansion of government-supported, exclusive Jewish communities have been an issue throughout the history of Israel. The Government (and the Development Authority) now control some 93% of the land, obtained through purchase, inherited from the previous British administration, and confiscated from Palestinians.

Land Ownership in Israel: Except in marginal circumstances, only Jews are legally allowed to lease this land for housing.  Palestinian Arabs in Israel have therefore been isolated in just 2.5% of the total municipal jurisdiction area of the State despite the fact they represent 20% of the population.

Construction and Housing Policies: Since the Arab citizens of Israel are not subject to compulsory military service they are denied the corresponding housing credits. As a result, the level of government-subsidized mortgages for purchasing homes for Arab citizens is approximately 33% lower than for other citizens. There are also serious bureaucratic obstacles in regional planning, zoning, and in obtaining building permits in Arab localities.

The Results
As a result of these policies there is critical shortage of housing in the Palestinian Arab sector in Israel, creating a need that grows stronger from year to year. Currently Arab families can choose between two options: not to build, or build without a permit and face the risk of homes being demolished. The ramifications of this reality on the social fabric of society in Israel and on the hope of coexistence between Jews and Arabs is obvious. The difficulties with regards to developing a common civic society that would strengthen Israel's democracy are also clear.

MOSAIC COMMUNITIES is offering another way.