‘Historical Rights’ to Land

Abstract

One argument commonly made by groups or their representatives laying claim to a particular territory is that the group (usually a national one) possesses an Șhistorical rightș to the piece of land in question. Recent events in Kosovo supply a perfect contemporary example. At the height of these events, London Times Serbian expert, Tim Judah, appeared on British television explaining that the relationship between the Serbs and Kosovo is analogous to the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. As a Jew would say Șnext year in Jerusalemș, says Judah, one could attribute a similar sentiment to a Serb as regards Kosovo, i.e. Șnext year in Kosovoș.¹ Indeed, the Serbs, though forming less than 10 per cent of the population of Kosovo, believe they are entitled to it by historical right, in just the same way as many Jews believe that Israel is entitled to Jerusalem.