The Palestinians are an Arab ethnonational group native to the Levantine region historically known as Palestine, which includes the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Israel. They share a common cultural and ethnic identity, speak Palestinian Arabic, and are mostly Sunni Muslim with a Christian minority. Palestinians have a long history in this region, tracing their origins to ancient Levantine peoples like the Canaanites, and have developed a distinct national identity particularly in response to historical events in the 20th century, including the establishment of the State of Israel and subsequent conflicts. Today, there are around 7 to 14.5 million Palestinians worldwide, many living in the Palestinian territories, Israel, and in diaspora communities in neighboring countries and beyond.
Historical and Cultural Background
The area known as Palestine has been inhabited by various peoples over millennia, including ancient Semitic groups such as the Canaanites and Philistines. The name Palestine itself is derived from "Philistia," an ancient state of the Philistines. Over time, the population was influenced by multiple conquerors and cultures, including Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Ottomans. The Arab Muslim conquest in the 7th century significantly shaped the population through Arabization and Islamization, which became dominant though Christians also remained. Palestinians today share genetic and cultural ties with other Levantine Arab populations.
Modern National Identity
The modern Palestinian identity formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly in reaction to Jewish immigration and the Zionist movement, and partly influenced by European nationalist ideas. Before 1948, the term "Palestinian" included all people living in the region, including Jews, but since the establishment of Israel, it predominantly refers to Arabs who identify with the Palestinian nationalist cause and heritage. Palestinians have faced displacement and political conflict, especially following wars in 1948 and 1967, leading to a widespread diaspora.
Population and Distribution
Approximately 14.5 million Palestinians exist globally as of recent estimates, with significant populations in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as communities in other countries like the United States. Within Israel, Palestinian Arabs make up about one-fifth of the population. Despite political challenges, many Palestinian Israelis identify strongly as Palestinians.
In summary, Palestinians are a distinct Arab people with deep historical roots in the Levant, sharing a common language, culture, and history, with a national identity shaped significantly by 20th-century geopolitical developments and ongoing conflict.
