Pollution in Sde Dov: ILA provided vague answers and the legal entanglement is complicating

The pollution affair in Sde Dov continues to get complicated. Over the weekend, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) submitted an update to the Herzliya Magistrate's Court regarding the progress of pollution tests on private lands in the 'Gush HaGadol' area. This follows the court's decision to postpone the land distribution lottery at the request of rights holders, who sought to first get a picture of the extent of the pollution. However, the ILA reported on the progress of the testing procedures and the necessary approvals for continuing the investigation, but did not present findings or mapping of the pollution, leaving the land distribution process stuck.

Advocate Doron Kochavi, representing the land managers, says that "the ILA's notice does not provide clarity," and that as long as the tests are not completed and their results published, including the marking of problematic plots, the situation "will negatively impact real estate transactions in this area."

On behalf of the ILA, it was stated: "The investigation is progressing and has not yet been completed. The court has been updated on the exact status. In the near future, the investigation will be completed and the information will be reflected."

"Not prepared to be exposed to serious illnesses"

Simultaneously, legal proceedings are underway by plaintiffs seeking to cancel agreements following the discovery of the pollution. For example, in lawsuits filed against Gindi Israel through advocates Yoram Tuval and Agam Hayek of the Tuval-Kol & Co. firm, the plaintiffs are asking to declare the invalidity of four option agreements they signed in 2025 for the purchase of apartments in the company's Vogue project in Sde Dov, and to order the return of the full consideration (approximately 1.55 million shekels).

According to the plaintiffs, at the time of signing the option agreements, they were told nothing about the pollution, and they were unaware of it - "otherwise they would not have signed the option." Following the discovery of the findings by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in February 2026, they claim they are not prepared to live in a complex that they claim could endanger their health and are not prepared "to participate, against their will, in an experiment that endangers their safety and exposes them to serious illnesses, including cancer."

According to them, this is not about regret or lack of economic feasibility, but about a "significant change in circumstances that was not within their knowledge at the time of signing." They further argue that even if the land is cleaned, this will not necessarily prevent exposure to pollution originating from neighboring plots and public areas.

In other aspects, the plaintiffs argue that the discovery of the pollution is expected to affect the schedules and certainty surrounding the project, mortgage approval, and the future value of the apartments. The lawsuit claims that preparation by various parties will be required, and that the situation could lead to changes in construction and occupancy dates, stricter conditions for obtaining building permits, and disputes regarding the financing of tests and rehabilitation. It is further claimed that at this stage, no schedules have been set and no parties have been defined to carry out the tests or bear their costs.

From Gindi Holdings, it was stated: "The plots have not yet been handed over to our possession, and at this stage, the tests have not yet been completed and no instructions on the matter have been received. Regarding the legal proceeding, the company rejects the claims and the attempt to exert improper pressure on it through the media. The defense will be conducted in court."