Land ownership in Israel – an historical perspective

The history of land ownership in Israel over the past century is a complex and multifaceted narrative, intertwined with the region's tumultuous political, social, and economic transformations. This essay will explore the significant milestones and pivotal moments that have shaped land ownership in Israel, from the late Ottoman period, through the British Mandate, the establishment of the State of Israel, and the ensuing decades of development and conflict.

Late Ottoman Empire

At the turn of the 20th century, Israel was part of the Ottoman Empire. Land ownership during this period was governed by Ottoman land laws, which categorized land into various types such as private land (mulk), state land (miri), and communal land (musha). Much of the land was held collectively by villages, while large estates (often absentee-owned) were also prevalent. The Ottoman land reforms of the mid-19th century aimed to modernize the agricultural sector and increase tax revenues by registering lands, which inadvertently facilitated land sales to foreign buyers, including Jewish pioneers.

Early Jewish Immigration

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the beginning of significant Jewish immigration to Palestine, driven by the Zionist movement. The Jewish National Fund (JNF), established in 1901, played a crucial role in purchasing land for Jewish pioneers. The JNF acquired land from Arab landowners, often absentee landlords, and established agricultural settlements (kibbutzim and moshavim). 

British Mandate (1917-1948)

Following World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine. The British Mandate period was marked by increased Jewish immigration and land acquisition, which intensified tensions between Jewish and Arab communities. The British authorities attempted to regulate land sales and manage the conflicting interests through a series of legislative measures, such as the 1922 and 1929 Land Ordinances, which aimed to protect tenant farmers and control land speculation. The 1936-1939 Arab Revolt was partly fueled by opposition to Jewish land purchases and immigration. In response, the British issued the 1939 White Paper, which severely restricted Jewish immigration and land purchases. 

Post-1948 and the Establishment of Israel

 The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 marked a significant turning point in the history of land ownership. The newly established Israeli government enacted a series of laws to manage abandoned properties, most notably the Absentees ‘Property Law of 1950’. This law transferred ownership of lands left by abandoned by Palestinian to the state. Additionally, the 1950 Development Authority (Transfer of Property) Law facilitated the transfer of lands to the state or the Jewish National Fund. By the early 1950s, the Israeli government and the JNF owned about 93% of the land in Israel. The state land was leased to individuals and institutions, often for agricultural development and housing projects. The remaining 7% are located mainly in the heart of the historic city’s of Israel like Jerusalem, Tzfat, Tel-Aviv etc, and are owned partly by residence of Israel and partly by people who immigrated and left Israel.