8.5 Draft August 15, 2026
Proposal for an Amendment to the Planning and Building Law, 5725–1965 - "Kaminitz Amendment" (Amendment No. 116), 5717–2017
Since 2017, the "Kaminitz Law" has tightened enforcement against illegal construction throughout the country. However, in many localities—including Druze and Arab towns—there have been no approved master plans for years, meaning residents effectively have no way to obtain a building permit. It turns out that the law requires a permit—and the state is unable to issue one.
✍️ Submitted by: igal gutnik
🤝 2 supporters
📖 Background
The law must apply equally to everyone - but punishment should not be imposed for a violation where the state itself did not allow building legally.
📝 Proposal text
1. In localities where there is no approved master plan — the enforcement of the Kaminitz Law will be "frozen" until the plan is approved.
2. In localities where there is an approved master plan — including the exhaustion of all appeal procedures stipulated by law — the Kaminitz Law will apply "in full and equally to all cities in Israel," without exception.
Exception: In the event of an immediate danger to life or security, the restriction does not apply — enforcement will be carried out immediately, regardless of the existence of a plan.
🔗 Source✅ For (4)
- + Reinforces the principle of equality before the law
- + Connecting responsibility to the genuine ability to fulfill it
- + Reduces tension between the state and communities
- + Incentivizing the state to expedite the approval of master plans, rather than only penalizing their absence
⚠️ Against (3)
- − may temporarily suspend enforcement in places where it is currently being carried out despite the lack of a plan
- − requires planning authorities to expedite plan approval
- − Additional administrative burden on planning authorities