baháʼís have from time to time negotiated with the government of israel over such matters as the acquisition of properties that currently compose the baháʼí world centre buildings. for example, a cablegram sent by shoghi effendi on november 12, 1952 announced the "acquisition of vitally-needed property" of the mansion of bahjí and the area around it from "the development authority of the state of israel...the exchange of said property, including land and houses, was made possible by the precipitate flight of the former arab owners."