Wakf Demands 8% of Israeli Land

[redcake]

Here we go....

Wakf Demands 8% of Israeli Land
12:10 Aug 22, '05 / 17 Av 5765
(IsraelNN.com) The Islamic Wakf is planning on suing for 8% of the land of the State of Israel, which it claims belonged to the Wakf before the establishment of the state. In order to prepare for the suit, Wakf employees have been burrowing through Turkish archives, working with a former Israeli ambassador to Turkey, looking for proofs of those claims.

According to the Wakf, the land was transferred by the State of Israel in its first days to various concerns and people. The exact location of these lands was not known. However, according to the Wakf, when the exact locations will be clarified, the State must return the land to the Wakf.

[MGB8]

There is a theory called adverse possession. When land is claimed/resided in by a group, openly and notoriously, and under claim of right, the earlier title holder has a limited period in which to take legal action. While this may not be the case in Israel, and the state cannot take adverse possession (but there are other theories) the principle stands. Its a little late. They had 50 years to take such Court actions.

[redcake]

I do believe that there is International Law concerning property rights, and ownership, which pretty much boils down to possesion is 9/10th of the law...

but the problem is Israel is agreeing to award land to people who weren't the previous owners, while stating they are "returning" it. That precedence is a problem.

Debka reported that Jordan aren't happy they've been cut out of the West Bank negotiations, or the idea that Palestinians will control the Jordan River. They have a point. Legally, Jordan was soveriegn on the land.

Regarding the Wakf... I was under the impression that Israel handed over control of a small section in Jerusalem as a token of religious tolerance. Were the Wakf in control while Jordan had Jerusalem?!