Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita has released a halachic ruling opposing planned reforms that will impact the Israel Lands Administration, fearing the suggested reforms will facilitate the process by which Arabs may buy areas of Eretz Yisrael.

MK Zevulun Orlev turned to Rav Metzger in opposition to a reform spearheaded by Minister (Shas) Ariel Atias, supported by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The psak, written on over 20 pages, explains the halachic problems with selling or giving areas of Eretz Yisrael to non-Jews. The Rav adds that the State of Israel is still living in a state of war, and as such, we must recognize that if given the opportunity, non-Jews will make attractive offers to purchase lands, which will place land-owning Jews in a difficult position since they will make extremely attractive offers, seeking to advance their land-acquisition agenda.

“Such a reality may result in enemies of the state stepping forward to assist in land acquisitions” the Rav explains.

Orlev adds that “it is evident that selling state land is not only abandonment of the national Zionist vision, but contrary to halacha”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)