Palestine]
Land held by private persons may be of three kinds:—
Miri, the property of the State. The crown domains, though retaining their old name, were declared State property on the re-establishment of the constitution in 1908.
Mulk, private freehold.
Vakuf, land vested in religious or charitable institutions.
Of these mulk is of comparatively small extent, private property being found chiefly in the areas of towns and villages, where individual freeholds are limited to half a donum (1/9 acre) in addition to the site built upon. Practically the whole of the cultivated area consists of either miri or vakuf. Miri is held by individuals, but the State ownership involves certain restrictions upon its disposal, which, however, were lightened in 1913. It may now be freely sold, leased, or mortgaged, except to foreign companies, but cannot be disposed of by will, lapsing in case of failure of legal heirs to the State, to which it also reverts if left uncultivated for three successive years. Until 1913 the tenant, was not even permitted free agricultural use of his land, permission being necessary for planting trees or vines, as well as for the erection of buildings; but these disabilities are now substantially removed. Of vakuf land, which is under the supervision of a special Ministry, there are different varieties, depending partly on the terms of the original dedication. Both mulk and, with the consent of the State, miri can be converted into vakuf, and the previous owner or tenant may retain the usufruct with its free disposal, or both ownership and usufruct may become vested in the institution concerned. In the latter case the land is usually let for periods not exceeding three years. Apart from these legal distinctions, agriculture has been greatly affected by certain other fundamental facts, to which brief reference must be made.
