Chapter Two: State Ownership of Antiquities


State ownership of antiquities

2. (a) When an antiquity is discovered or found in Israel after the coming into force of this Law, it shall within boundaries fixed by the Director become the property of the State.


     (b) A person who alleges that any antiquity was discovered or found before the coming into force of this Law shall bear the onus of proof.

Notification of discovery of antiquity.
3. A person who discovers or finds an antiquity otherwise than in an excavtion under a licence pursuant to this Law shall notify the Director within fifteen days of the discovery or find.
Request for delivery.
4. The Director may in writing request a person in possession of an antiquity referred to in section 2(a) to deliver it up to him, and he may reward the deliverer if he considers that the circumstances justify his doing so.
Request for loan of antiquity.
5. The Director may in writing request any person in possession of an antiquity to give it to him for the purpose of inspection or any other purpose for a period not exceeding ninety days.
Discontinuance of work after discovery of antiquity.

6.(a) When a person carrying out any operations on land, whether his own land or the land of another, discovers an antiquity thereon, he shall notify the Director as provided in section 3 and shall discontinue the operations for fifteen days from the date of delivery of the notification unless during that period he receives permission from the Director to continue the work.


   (b) Within fifteen days from the date of delivery of notification as aforesaid, the Director may notify the owner and the occupier of the land, in writing, of the conditions for continuation of the work or may order its permanent discontinuance.

Compensation.

7.(a) A person affected by a notification of the Director under section 6 (b) shall be entitled to compensation for the damage caused to him.


    (b) A demand for compensation shall be submitted to the Director in the manner and at the time prescribed by regulations.


    (c) Where the demand of the person affected is not accepted, wholly or in part, the Court shall decide.

Waiver of rights of State.
8. The Director may waive State ownership of an antiquity in writing,and upon his doing so, the antiquity shall cease to be the property of the State.

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