After 50 Years, Officials Aim to Remove an Israeli Man from His Beach Home

For more than 50 years, Nissim Kahlon has lived an unconventional life on Israel's Mediterranean coast, captivating locals and tourists alike with his unique home. Starting with a humble beach tent in Herzliya near Tel Aviv, he gradually transformed the surrounding stone cliffs into a breathtaking cave dwelling. Piece by piece, Kahlon crafted a living space, installing stairs, windows, and adorning the stone walls with glass and colorful tiles collected from his walks around the city. Today, his awe-inspiring abode stands as a popular tourist attraction, drawing people from far and wide who come to marvel at his remarkable creation.

Despite the admiration from visitors, Israeli officials have issued an eviction notice, declaring Kahlon's cave home illegal and expressing concerns about its impact on nearby traditional houses and the cliff's stability. The Environmental Protection Ministry fears that the cave may have damaged the cliff's structure, making the homes above him unsafe. Nevertheless, Kahlon remains resolute, defending the safety of his home, equipped with modern amenities like electricity, telephone, and even a toilet. He takes pride in his eco-friendly approach, utilizing every stone cut without waste, demonstrating a sustainable lifestyle with "no waste" as his guiding philosophy.

As a 77-year-old man, Nissim Kahlon's determination to stay in the home he has passionately built for himself is unwavering. This isn't the first time the government has attempted to push him out; in 1974, he received a notice that his home would be torn down, yet nothing came of it, leaving him undisturbed for nearly five decades. The removal order is currently on hold as Kahlon appeals the decision, asserting that the city approved his presence when it connected his home to electricity. Some speculate that the Israeli government may be leveraging concerns about nearby unexploded weapons and the cliff's stability as reasons to force him out, but Kahlon's friends have rallied to support him in his fight to remain in the home he built with love and creativity. With tools in hand, Kahlon continues to work on his masterpiece, showing that he won't let bureaucracy dictate his fate; rather, he'll keep striving to make his dream home an enduring reality.