WHAT IS POLITICS? 12.3 The Great Land Theft (secret history of Israel / Palestine pt. 3)
Nov 23, 2025
The podcast explores the dramatic land thefts that transformed the peasantry into impoverished tenants. It delves into the impact of the Tanzimat reforms, shifting power dynamics, and the exploitation by urban elites. Discover the origins of Palestinian identity and early Arab nationalism amidst a backdrop of disempowerment and economic squeeze. The narrative unveils how a small class of landowners came to dominate, leading to long-term consequences for the rural population. Join in on the unraveling of these pivotal historical moments.
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Tanzimat Land And Political Overhaul
- The Tanzimat were Ottoman reforms (1839–1876) meant to modernize and raise revenue by reorganizing land and politics.
- These reforms aimed to convert communal usufruct rights into private, taxable land to serve a capitalist model.
State Replaces Rural Autonomy
- The Tanzimat shifted governance from rural sheikhs to government-appointed urban officials, creating the mukhtar role.
- This change broke rural political autonomy and disenfranchised the fellahin by the early 20th century.
Privatization Created Tradable Titles
- Ottoman land privatization required registration to create marketable, taxable land titles and enable sales to investors.
- The policy turned customary communal use into legally alienable private property for capitalist purposes.
