Palestine as a distinct historical and geopolitical entity came to be through a complex and lengthy process involving ancient civilizations, imperial conquests, and 20th-century political developments. The name "Palestine" originates from the Greek word "Philistia," dating back to the 12th century BCE referencing the Philistines, and the term appears in historical records from the 5th century BCE. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and ruled by numerous empires, including Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. In modern history, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, after which it became a British Mandate territory as authorized by the League of Nations. During this mandate period (1922-1948), there was significant Jewish immigration, escalating tensions between Jewish and Arab populations. The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947 to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, which Jewish leaders accepted but many Palestinian Arabs rejected. Following the British withdrawal and Israel's declaration of independence in 1948, conflict ensued. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed in 1964 with the goal of creating a Palestinian state. The modern Palestinian territories include the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and efforts toward Palestinian statehood continue amid ongoing conflicts and negotiations.
