Occupation for sale

It is hard to overstate the centrality of land ownership in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Perhaps the Ottomans, who created the framework for the system of land deeds are partly to blame. But the need to own land and furnish proof that it is yours has long been pivotal for both Israelis and Palestinians. Consider Tabo, a real estate initiative started by a Canadian-Palestinian businessman. It buys large tracts of land in the West Bank. Land deeds are then sold to Palestinian refugees across the world even though they can’t enter the West Bank due to the long arm of Israeli control over Palestinian life. For Tabo, land deeds are something akin to proof of life – they reaffirm Palestinian connection to the land.

Imagine then, the outcry from Israel if Tabo began placing ads on Israeli Facebook networks offering to buy the land they are occupying. The outrage would likely be similar to that of Palestinians upset about Israeli settlement ads popping up on their Facebook pages, as The National reported yesterday. But both can play the game.