Demolition Order Issued for Illegal Memorial at Netanya Cemetery
Israel's Land Enforcement Authority has issued a demolition order for an illegal 1,400-square-meter complex built by followers around the grave of murdered Rabbi Amos Guetta at a public cemetery in Netanya.
The Land Enforcement Authority issued a demolition order on Sunday for structures erected around the grave of Rabbi Amos Guetta at the Netanya cemetery, following a determination that extensive construction had been carried out without permits. The decision follows the takeover of public land by followers of the rabbi, who was murdered in July, to establish a memorial complex.
Inspectors from the authority surveyed the site and issued the order for the structures surrounding the grave. The investigation revealed that the area in question spans approximately 1,400 square meters designated for public burial plots, with portions of the construction even extending beyond the cemetery's official boundaries.
Officials clarified that the order targets only the structures built around the grave and will not affect the burial plot itself.
The Land Enforcement Authority stated:
"The authority will act decisively to remove the construction and restore the area to its original state for the benefit of the public. We will continue to operate against illegal construction in public spaces and utilize all tools at our disposal."
Land Dispute and Threats
The land dispute surrounding the rabbi's burial site began shortly after his funeral. The Chevra Kadisha burial society initially allocated 24 plots to his followers for a memorial site. However, organization officials claimed that the followers were not satisfied with this allocation and used threats and intimidation to seize an area equivalent to 900 burial plots to construct a large-scale building.
Cemetery management filed a complaint with the police. However, after taking testimonies and reviewing land plans, the police closed the criminal case, ruling that the matter was a civil dispute to be resolved in court. This decision paved the way for the intervention of the Land Enforcement Authority.
Murder in the Yeshiva
Rabbi Guetta was stabbed to death in July at the yeshiva he managed in Netanya. He was well-known for his long-standing work in rehabilitating former convicts and criminals seeking to return to faith.
According to the investigation, a young man participating in the rehabilitation program arrived at the yeshiva, asked to pray with the rabbi, initiated an argument, and stabbed him four times. The murder led to deep mourning within his community and drew widespread reactions from public figures.
