Locke's Homesteading Theory Used to Argue Israel's Historical Land Rights

In a recent opinion piece, the writer invokes John Locke’s homesteading doctrine—ownership belongs to the first laborer on unclaimed land—to bolster Israel’s claim over disputed areas. Citing a Jewish presence of roughly 3,500 years versus Arab settlement of at most three centuries, the author argues that the original Jewish homesteaders retain title unless they abandon the land. Archaeological findings are highlighted, showing Jewish layers beneath later Arab material, reinforcing the notion of continuous ownership.

Critics who note Locke’s focus on individuals are addressed, with the author pointing out that legal entities such as tribes, corporations, and nations can hold property collectively. The column ultimately labels current Arab occupants as trespassers and suggests that Israel’s claim to Gaza, the Golan Heights, and broader territories is justified under this framework.