Israel refuses to release list of Waqf-owned properties in T.A., Jaffa

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The state is refusing to hand over the list of properties belonging to the Waqf in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, claiming that revealing such information could possibly damage Israel's foreign relations. The statement was in response to a suit filed in Tel Aviv District Court demanding the list of assets belonging to the Muslim religious trust.

"In diplomatic talks held in the past with the Palestinians, the issue of refugees and their assets was raised, among other matters. It is almost certain that revealing the requested information would seriously harm Israel's foreign relations," said the state's representatives. However, the response also said that the state would be willing to expand
on the matter, but only behind closed doors and without the plaintiffs being present.

The suit was filed in February by a Jaffa human rights organization and four Muslim community activists from Jaffa. It was filed against the state and Custodian of Absentee Property, as well as the board of trustees of the Waqf properties in Tel Aviv and Jaffa. The plaintiffs demanded a detailed list of all such properties given to the Islamic
religious endowment, as well as reports on any revenues from selling or renting those properties since 1996, as well as what the properties were used for. According to the plaintiffs, all such properties and revenues must be used by law for the benefit of the Arab population of Jaffa and Tel Aviv.

Property dedicated to the Waqf, according to Islamic religious law, must be used for the purpose intended by the giver, and is put in trust. The plaintiffs claim that after the founding of the state, many Waqf properties in Jaffa were left abandoned and were then declared "Absentee
property" by the state, and given over to the management of the custodian.

The law allows the custodian to transfer ownership of the property to a board of trustees , which must also use the revenues for the benefit of the Muslim community.

The state also said that all the Waqf properties in the custodian's hands had been sold.