In a country mired in conflict over some of the most contested land on Earth, it's no wonder Israelis sometimes long for escape.
In the past month, that search has led a significant number to look skyward, seeking an unlikely refuge from earthly woes in outer space.
According to figures released this month, Israelis are buying up lunar land faster than anyone else on the planet. One thousand Israelis have bought land in the past month alone.
There is no air or water. The daytime high soars to 100 and the nighttime low dips to -173.
But neither that -- nor the fact that nothing exists in law to give them title -- has deterred 12,000 Israelis from purchasing more than 4,000 square kilometres of lunar surface, or roughly 10 per cent of the moon. "Many of my customers talk about the moon as a place where their kids and grandchildren could live in the future. They see the moon as a peaceful place. A place away from the conflict here," said Tom Wegner, who sells moon plots from his Internet-based company Crazyshop.
"It's become a frenzy over here," he said.
The going rate for a 500-square-metre plot of lunar land amounts to $70 (Canadian), roughly the price of a tank of gas.
The buyer receives a framed land certificate, honorary moon citizenship and mining rights to whatever minerals might eventually be found below the surface.
More than 40,500 square kilometres of moon have been bought worldwide since 1980, when U.S. entrepreneur Dennis Hope claimed the right to sell off pieces, exploiting a loophole in the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty.
"It's a little like the Wild West," said David Zusiman, a satellite engineer believed to be the first Israeli to lay claim to a piece of moon with his purchase of two square kilometres in 1997.
Sales in Israel recently spiked after astrophysicist Stephen Hawking visited the country, delivering a public lecture where he argued humans would have to colonize space to survive.
Another boost came last month, when NASA declared it would establish an international space station on the moon by 2020, paving the way for a permanent colony a few years later.
In other countries, lunar landowners describe their purchase as a lark, or a long-term investment. Some liken it to the harmless purchase of a lottery ticket.
In Israel, some see it differently.
"They don't have the troubles or worries we have in Israel. They don't need this dream like we do," said Tsiki Nasftaly, a 29-year-old computer programmer and proud proprietor of one square kilometre of lunar land that sits on the bright side, perched on the edge of a crater.
"I am looking at it as a business investment, but the ultimate dream is to go and live there, without the baggage of the past. I'd like to open the first Israeli restaurant," he said.
Crazyshop's owners say their clients range from cabinet ministers to construction workers. At least one Israeli corporation is giving out moon deeds in lieu of employee bonuses.
A group of wealthy Russian Jews is also rumoured to have bought a large chunk of lunar land, and plans to create a celestial settlement if the moon is ever colonized.
Ronnie Froman, a former settler, bought a piece of land after his family was evacuated from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005.
He likens his ambition to settle the moon to that of Zionists who fought for the creation of Israel.
"I see a definite parallel. I hope my descendants will one day live there, and perhaps to recreate the life we lost in Gaza," he said, pausing for a moment.
"Some people think I am crazy, but I guess a lot of other Israelis are just as crazy. On the moon, I'll be in good company."
Special to The Globe and Mail
THE CLAIM
The 1967 United Nations Outer
Space Treaty forbids any country
to claim ownership of any celestial body, including the moon. The treaty, however, does not mention individuals. Citing this loophole, California entrepreneur Dennis Hope registered his ownership of the moon -- and all other planets -- with the UN, the United States and the former Soviet Union in 1980. Mr. Hope, who calls himself the celestial executive
officer and president of the galactic government and "the head cheese"
of the Lunar Embassy, says no one has ever challenged his claim.
He licenses the right to sell plots
to Lunar Embassy "ambassadors"
in other countries, such as Israel.
THE LEGAL OPINION
UN and U.S. lawyers say claims
to the moon are worthless because no government has recognized anyone's celestial property rights.
THE GUARANTEE
The Lunar Embassy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but admits there are no guarantees to the land.