the first legal action against the state of israel was brought in 1951 by 5 men of iqrit when muhammad nimr al-hawari acting as their lawyer was instrumental in gaining the right of return for the men of iqrit. on 31 july 1951 the israeli courts recognised the rights of the villagers to their land and their right to return to it. the court said the land was not abandoned and therefore could not be placed under the custodian of enemy property.