Eastern Jerusalem land purchased by Jews in early 20th century reverts to state ownership

(Israel Hayom via JNS) - A 16-dunam (four-acre) noncontiguous parcel of land on a green hilltop in eastern Jerusalem, which lies between the security barrier and the eastern border of the Jabel Mukaber neighborhood, could soon become the most volatile in the city.

The Israeli Justice Ministry has completed the process, conducted secretly, of transferring ownership of the land to the state, on a temporary basis.

Civil researchers hired by the ministry's Custodian of Absentee Properties Department secured proof that the land was purchased by Jews in the early twentieth century, and a court rulin...