A rare opportunity for reserve soldiers: thousands of plots of land with special benefits
The Israel Land Authority (ILA) has launched a unique initiative, offering thousands of plots for building single-family homes under preferential conditions for Israel’s reserve soldiers.
This is a particularly significant opportunity, given the gradual decline in available land across the country—especially in central areas, where land is both scarce and expensive.
The list of proposed communities is highly diverse and includes sought-after locations in the center such as Tzofit, Mishmar Ayalon, Ganot, and Kfar HaRa’ah.
In these communities, the benefits may provide a major advantage for reserve soldiers despite criticism from local residents who were not granted this preference.
Who is eligible for the benefits?
Reserve soldiers who meet one of the following criteria will be eligible to participate in the tenders:
Served 45 days or more during the Iron Swords War.
Have performed active reserve duty for six consecutive years, or at least 80 cumulative days of service since the year 2000.
The benefit can be exercised up to six years after completing active reserve duty, with additional priority given to those who do not own a home.
What discounts do reserve soldiers receive?
The Israel Land Authority divides the benefits by region:
In National Priority Area A:
- A reserve soldier who does not own a home will pay only **16% of the plot’s value.
- A reserve soldier who already owns a home will pay only 21% of the plot’s value.
In National Priority Area B:
- A reserve soldier who does not own a home will pay only 36% of the plot’s value.
- A reserve soldier who already owns a home will pay 41% of the plot’s value.
The discount is subject to a price ceiling:
In National Priority Area A, the discount applies up to 900,000 NIS.
In Area B, it applies up to 500,000 NIS.
Any amount beyond the ceiling requires full payment at 91% of its value.
Additional discounts regardless of home ownership:
Reserve soldiers are also entitled to extra discounts on the land itself:
- In National Priority Area A – a 35% discount.
- In National Priority Area B – a 20% discount.
- In non-priority areas – a 15% discount.
ChatGPT said:
The discount is capped at up to 100,000 NIS per person.
Couples in which both partners are reserve soldiers are entitled to a double discount of up to 200,000 NIS.
Conditions for selling the plot after winning:
Winners are required to begin construction within four years and complete the skeleton and roof.
The property may be sold only five years after the date of winning.
Anyone wishing to sell earlier must return the full benefits received.
Is the benefit worthwhile?
For example, in a tender held in Meitar–Karmit, a 355 m² plot was sold for 450,000 NIS, while similar plots in the same area are sold on the open market for double that price or more.
Investing in single-family home land—especially with such significant discounts—represents a particularly attractive economic opportunity.
ChatGPT said:
You can also register simultaneously for the Ministry of Housing lotteries (“Price at a Discount”), but it’s important to remember that only one win can be exercised.
