Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., April 06, 2008 Nisan 1, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:22 (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

'Nature beats real estate' in Supreme Court ruling By Zafrir Rinat The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the decision by the Tel Aviv District Court to prohibit construction on a parcel of land in Nes Tziona that is one of the few remaining habitats of the Dark Purple Iris (Iris Atropurpurea, Irus Ha'argaman). The flower is unique to Israel. After state planning authorities did not earmark the land for construction, on the grounds that a national park was planned there, the owners of the property took their case to the district court. When the court upheld the planning council's decision, the landowners appealed to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Nes Tziona Mayor Yossi Shabo and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel called yesterday's ruling "a victory by nature over real estate." They have been fighting for several years to protect the hills that bloom with the rare irises in the spring. The Supreme Court justice said in their ruling that the planning authorities had carefully considered all aspects of the land dispute, and that they saw no reason to interfere in the planners' decisions. The justices emphasized the importance of preserving the property in its natural state. The ruling is likely to serve as a precedent for such cases in the future because of the judges' categorical rejection of the landowners' argument. The owners had said that by stopping them from building on the land, the ruling violated their ownership rights. "The appellants purchased this property as farmland. None of them bought the right to rezone the land for construction," the justices wrote in their ruling. "The decision on rezoning farmland for construction is a sensitive planning issue requiring examination and [entailing] complex professional considerations. A central and extremely important consideration is the environment and quality of life." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Lost giant Endangered sea turtle washes up on Gaza's shore and is eaten. Not worried Nearly half of Israeli Arabs say let Iran develop nukes.

Today Online Israel and U.S. to coordinate on boycott of anti-racism meet Responses: 334 Former militant leader: The Palestinian people is finished Responses: 324 Hamas: Gaza sniper aimed for Public Security Min. Dichter Responses: 144 Syria: We choose peace, but we're ready for Israeli attack Responses: 74 More Headlines 00:46 Hezbollah: IDF drill borne of 'frustration and despair' 23:23 Hamas: Olmert is gambling with Gilad Shalit's life 20:19 Peretz: I never thought Barak was fit to lead Labor Party 19:28 Min. Ayalon warns tensions with Syria 'could lead to mistakes' 21:03 Egypt hunts men suspected of plotting terror attack in Sinai 00:58 Erekat: Abbas, Olmert to meet Monday to review negotiations 10:15 Rabbi: Jews, more than anyone, helped black Americans achieve equality 00:55 Obama, Clinton, McCain to vice-chair Israel 60th anniversary panel 19:29 Min. Ben-Eliezer: Israel only holding virtual negotiations 23:28 Qassam rocket fired from Gaza Strip lands near Ashkelon 15:04 Hamas: Rocket attacks not aimed at Israeli women, children 18:29 Plane makes emergency landing in Ben-Gurion Airport Previous Editions Select Day 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar

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