Disturbing absence of compensation provisions in settlement freeze

Weekly Commentary
Dr.Aaron Lerner
IMRA
03 December 09

It could have been different.

It should have been different.

The announcement of the construction freeze in Judea and Samaria could have already established both the mechanism and formula for compensating Israelis expected to suffer a financial loss as a result of the freeze.

And this with steps taken so that sufficient funds were already earmarked from the budget to cover the projected compensations.

But that's not what happened.

Israeli property owners, possessing all the necessary permits to build their homes, will now face the costs of having the completion of their homes delayed by ten months.

And the building contractors and others associated with the construction activity that has been frozen will also face various costs through no fault of their own.

One might debate if the Government of Israel has the right to impose a building freeze on private Israeli housing construction in Judea and Samaria, but the unspoken assertion that such a move might be taken without the provision of appropriate compensation is something that deserves condemnation regardless of one's position on the freeze itself.

That's why I, as an Israeli, am embarrassed, disappointed - and yes - concerned - that my government had no qualms seriously impacting the property rights of Israeli citizens without making provisions, in advance, to compensate those harmed by its decision.
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