Israelis buying land - on the moon

Since the year 2000 more than 10,000 Israelis have invested in land on the moon.

By GINA SEBOK TZUK
moon 88 (photo credit: AP)
moon 88
(photo credit: AP)
One thousand Israelis purchased land on the moon in December 2006 alone. Since the year 2000 more than 10,000 Israelis have invested in land on the moon. Could this be the new real estate trend? NASA's recent declaration of building a permanent base on the moon and creating regular shuttles between the Earth and the moon influenced the trend of buyers. A company called Crazy Shop only started selling land on the moon in the year 2000 on their website. Crazyshop.co.il became an exclusive franchise of marketing land on the moon in Israel. Israelis were thrilled by the idea of investing into the moon. Spokesperson Tom Wegner said, "Some Israelis believe that buying land on the moon is an original gift and a great investment that their grandchildren might benefit from." It is important to know that this is a relatively small investment, because a half dunam of land (one dunam equals 1000 square meters) on the moon only costs NIS 250, which is less than 60 US dollars. Most investors believe that their investments will significantly multiply. According to Israeli legal analysts, there is a loophole in the law, which promises high revenues. "The Outer Space Treaty of the United Nations bans states from purchasing land in space, but allows individual citizens to purchase land. As a result, it is very possible that NASA will have to buy land from the Israeli property owners who already bought land on the moon," comments Wegner. In addition, buying land on the moon is also attracting the dreamers. These buyers wonder about visiting their properties on the moon. For example, Space Adventure is an already existing US based company, which plans to send tourists to the moon in seven to ten years. However, these trips will be very costly and will target the extremely wealthy. Interestingly, the new property owners on the moon come from all branches of society. "It is such a small investment that everyone can afford it," said Wegner. The investment is not only affordable, but also adorable. A lovely kit accompanies your investment on the moon, containing a picture of your newly purchased property marked on a moon map. Since NASA declared their plans for building a permanent base on the moon, property sales in the United States also increased. However nowhere in the world are they as high as in Israel. According to Wegner, "this trend will continue to increase in Israel; it is a snowball effect." Israelis are the dominant investors on the moon in 2007.