Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., January 25, 2008 Shvat 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 15:19 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. (Tomer Appelbaum) Last update - 17:29 24/01/2008 AG: Bedouin buildings can be destroyed only with Justice Min. approval By Mijal Grinberg, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, demolition  Orders to destroy existing structures in the Bedouin sector will be issued only under the authorization of the Justice Ministry, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said Thursday. Mazuz made this announcement in response to a request made by Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim in August, asking to freeze the demolition orders for Bedouin villages until the Goldberg Commission publishes its findings. The Goldberg Commission, headed by former state comptroller Eliezer Goldberg, was appointed by the Housing Ministry in order to examine the dispute between the state and the Bedouin community over ownership of land. The Commission convened for the first time last week, and met again on Thursday. Following the decision to appoint the commission in August, Boim asked Mazuz to freeze the existing demolition orders. According to Goldberg, he received a letter from the Justice Ministry, in response to Boim's request, outlining new guidelines regarding the demolition. Advertisement The guidelines state that structures erected after the commission begins its investigation will be demolished, but those built before the commission began its work will only be destroyed with the express authorization of the Justice Ministry. Such authorization will be issued, according to the letter, in special cases in which demolition would serve a public need; lack of demolition would pose a health risk or endanger human life; buildings that house criminal activity centers, and other special cases. Unrecognized Villages Council chair Hassin al-Rafa'iya told Haaretz that "the judge said beautiful things today, and I welcome them. We need to pose our demands before the commission, and we will assess it (the commission) after we see what results it achieves. Maybe there will finally be a neutral commission." The unrecognized villages are not represented in the Goldberg Commission. The commission is scheduled to publish its findings in six months. "It is too early to foresee possible solutions, but I hope that at the end of the discussion we will be able to offer solutions that are both fair and easy to implement," Goldberg said. Related articles: ILA destroys Bedouin homes to make way for Jewish town More than 800 protest Bedouin house demolitions in front of Knesset The Bedouin intifada: It's not if, but when Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dear Mr. Olmert An American yeshiva student asks Olmert to heed secular Israelis on J'lem's fate. Work stoppage Olmert totally freezes new building in all West Bank settlements.   1.   fairness 15:11  |  realism 25/01/08

Today Online Egyptian guards form human shield to close Gaza border Responses: 76 One dead, four hurt in Jerusalem-area attacks Responses: 122 Editorial: The siege of Gaza has failed Responses: 35 Daniel Orenstein: Stop bribing people to move to Israel Responses: 4 Richard Silverstein: Seeking liberal Jewish bloggers Responses: 18 Rosner's Domain Ambassador vs. Ambassador: Is Obama good for Israel? McCain's letter on Gaza: Israel has the right to defend itself (WTR) Poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Domain's Guest: "all Jews are responsible for one another" Factor: Clinton and McCain, head to head More Headlines 15:18 Hamas bulldozes new hole in Gaza-Egypt border 15:10 Palestinians who raided yeshiva were recently released criminals 13:18 Israeli envoy: UN official ignoring rocket fire on Negev 13:09 IAF strikes kill four Hamas militants in southern Gaza 13:17 Blast in Christian neighborhood of Beirut kills at least five 14:42 German parliament commemorates int'l Holocaust memorial day 07:32 Barak: Israel considering letting PA handle Gaza crossings 07:44 Israeli, Palestinian leaders mull peace prospects at Davos 07:47 Hackers steal Bank Leumi client passwords 07:45 Surgeons convicted in stomach-stapling death of woman Previous Editions Select Day 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Teach & Study Program make a difference in Israel FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations SUPER-TUESDAY U.S. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY U.S. citizen in Israel vote Democrats-Abroad Global Primary online, in-person. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved