Ottoman Land Code of 1858

To understand the land question, we need to go back to the Ottoman Empire.

The Ottoman Land Code of 1858 remains part of the West Bank's legal inheritance alongside subsequent British, Jordanian, and Israeli military legislation.

Under Article 78, possessing and cultivating certain categories of land for 10 years without dispute establishes legally recognized rights, even without an existing title deed.

One category was called Miri, land whose underlying title belonged to the state, but over which individuals could acquire substantial inheritable rights.