"Danger to the State's Stability - and a Real Earthquake" • This is how senior government ministries define the Water Authority's decision to waive state land ownership

• MK Ahmad Tibi // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

The state's move to restore its land to its owner, the threat of MK Tibi - and the collapse of the water authority: a case that originated in the decision at the time of the state's establishment, stirs the government's offices and raises questions about the water authority's conduct and the governing ability of the elected authority.

The story began in the 1960s, when the state expropriated land that was not inhabited around the northern village of Manda for the establishment of the national carrier. However, the land was not listed in the taboo and not appropriated as required, and over time the villagers took over for agricultural land and other uses.

Manda Village // Photo: Moshe Shay

Recently, the Water Authority decided to mess things up and filed warrants for the confiscation of the land - but these, as expected, were received in anger by residents of Kafr Manda, who were not interested in the fact that the land was designated for strategic facilities. Therefore, Councilor Moans Abdallahim decided to take action - and demanded that the Water Authority cancel the appropriation process immediately. At the same time, he enlisted MK Ahmed Tibi (the joint list) - who, for his part, began to exert pressure to transfer the territories to the residents.

"Like allowing a return"

MK Tibi appealed to Giora Shaham, head of the water authority, and threatened to tighten the authority's budget. At an election, when the finance committee convenes very little, it is a threat that has consequences - which has indeed brought about the desired result from the complainants - contrary to Israel's stated interest. Commenters in the affair explained that "Tibi threatened to push the water authority's budget if they did not come up for discussion, and Shaham ran to the Knesset and said that he did not need the land and could be transferred to the complainants."

It should be noted that this is an unprecedented decision. Land confiscation in the State of Israel has widespread security and policy implications - and the professional bodies, from the Ministry of Justice through the Treasury to the Israeli Land Authority, have expressed astonishment at their ears.

Head of the Giora Shaham Water Authority // Photo: Gideon Markovich

"The Water Authority's position undermines the basis of the land expropriation in the State of Israel since its establishment," one source stated, "is to admit a governmental mistake on territories in the State of Israel - such as to allow the return of the Palestinian refugees. This is a danger to the State of Israel, undermining the State's stability and compromising its security. A real earthquake. "

Another source says that "In the past week there has been an abnormal mess, including senior officials screaming to the heart of the sky and saying the water authority has acted contrary to its powers. If today they cancel land expropriation, tomorrow they will cancel more. Everyone jumps on the back legs and tries to prevent it. Not consumed - there are ways to release land and that is not the way. Now representatives of the Arab public in the Knesset come to the offices and say that the state does not need the land at all, because "this is what the head of the PA said," and you will repair the damage. "

The Water Authority said in response: "These are lands that were appropriated in the 1960s by Jewish and Arab landowners for the establishment of the national water carrier and are not currently used. Therefore, the Water Authority decided, together with other parties, to take a professional examination of the need for these lands. Upon its completion, the position on all land will be consolidated. "

MK Ahmad Tibi said in response: "The water authority has admitted to the committee that the land is far from the water reservoir and there is no need for the water reservoir project. There are alternatives to these sections for the project. We are aware of the incitement of unknown elements, including against the fundamental rights of Arab residents, including residents of Manda. We will continue to work to eliminate unnecessary appropriations. "