What Is an Ikul (Lien or Attachment) on an Israeli Property?

An Ikul (עיקול) is a legal freeze placed on a property by a court order or a creditor, preventing the owner from selling or transferring it. It appears on the property's Nesach Tabu under the section listing encumbrances.

Liens can originate from a bank or creditor owed money by the owner, unpaid municipal tax (Arnona), a tax dispute, a civil lawsuit, or a divorce proceeding. A property with an active Ikul cannot legally be transferred until the lien is formally discharged.

Why it matters for a buyer: an Ikul can appear overnight, even after an offer is accepted. Your lawyer should pull a fresh Tabu extract immediately before signing and again on the day of final payment — and stop the process cold if one appears until it is confirmed removed.

Source: Israel Land Registry; Israeli civil procedure and enforcement law