New Turkish Bill Bans Land to “Israelis”

Turkey is preparing a bill which eases restrictions on land purchases to attract foreign investment, while prohibiting sales to "Israelis".

According to an article in Sunday's edition of the Turkish newspaper, Milliyet, a bill being formulated in Turkey would ease conditions on land purchases, especially for citizens from Persian Gulf states, "Israel's" Ynet news website reported.

The article stated that officials in Turkey have been working on the bill for some time and it is now expected to easily pass through parliament.

Currently, Turkish law limits the usage rights of foreigners who buy land in the country for 99 years in comparison with the new version, which allows indefinite use of the land.

Foreign nationals will be allowed to buy pieces of land up to 99,000 square meters in size. Citizens of Persian Gulf states could buy land with no size limit.

However if the bill passes, it would prevent "Israelis" from purchasing land in Turkey, though they would be able to continue renting apartments.

The new bill comes while many "Israelis" reportedly appealed to the Turkish embassy in "Israel" in the past years to buy land in the country to establish tourism sites.

"Israelis" are also barred from purchasing land in Jordan, while the Palestinian Authority forbids West Bankers from selling land to "Israeli" settlers.

In the recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Teyyip Erdogan, he declared that "Israel" is no longer a friend to his country, especially after the attack on the Mavi Marmara ship from the freedom fleet that was heading to the Gaza Strip to break the siege and provide Palestinians with food and medicine. 9 Turkish activists were killed during the "Israeli" raid.