Palestine History

Learning Objectives

• Study notes about Palestine

Historical Timeline

• Includes:
• Prehistoric to Bronze Age
• Iron Age: Kingdoms and Empires
• The Rise of Persia, Greece and Rome
• Byzantine and Islamic Colonization
• Crusade, Mamluk, and Ottoman Empire
• British Mandate and Creation of Israel
• Modern Day Conflict

Prehistoric to Bronze Age

• Prehistoric Age occurred from 10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE.
• Natufian Culture and Jericho.
• Early to Late Bronze Age occurred from 3,000 BCE to 1,200 BCE.
• Canaanites
• Egyptian Pharaohs Influence
• Philistines settled along the southern coast

Iron Age: Kingdoms and Empires

• Israelites, Philistines and Neighboring Kingdoms occurred from 1200 BCE – 722 BCE.
• Israelites settlement in Canaan
• Kingdom of Israel and Judah
• King Saul, King David and King Solomon
• Solomon's Death
• Assyrian Conquest occurred from 722 BCE – 612 BCE.
• Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III from 745-727 BCE.
• Sargon II in 722 BCE
• Sennacherib in 701 BCE attacked Judah and besieged Jerusalem
• King Hezekiah of Judah
• Babylonian Conquest occurred from 586 BCE – 539 BCE.
• Neo-Babylonian Empire
• Babylonian Captivity in 586 BCE

The Rise of Persia, Greece, and Rome

• Persian Period occurred from 539 BCE – 332 BCE.
• Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE
• Greek (Hellenistic) Period occurred from 332 BCE – 63 BCE.
• Alexander the Great in 332 BCE
• Ptolemies and Seleucids
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BCE attempted to suppress Judaism
• Hasmonean Dynasty from 140-37 BCE
• Roman Rule occurred from 63 BCE – 324 CE.
• General Pompey in 63 BCE
• Herod the Great from 37-4 BCE ruled as a Roman client king
• Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth from 4 BCE-30 CE
• Jewish Revolts from 66-73 CE and Hadrians in 132-135 CE

Byzantine and Islamic Colonization

• Byzantine Period occurred from 324-638 CE.
• Constantine the Great in 312 CE
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 CE
• Islamic Caliphates occurred from 638-1099 CE.
• Caliph Umar in 638 CE
• Dome of the Rock in 691 CE

Crusade, Mamluk, and Ottoman Empire

• Crusader Period was from 1099-1291 CE.
• First Crusade was in 1099 CE
• Saladin in 1187 CE
• Mamluk Sultanate was from 1291-1517 CE.
• Ottoman Empire was from 1517-1917 CE.
• Sultan Selim I in 1517 CE
• Zionist movement began advocating for a Jewish homeland

British Mandate and Creation of Israel

• World War I
• Balfour Declaration in 1917
• Arab Revolt from 1936-1939
• UN Partition Plan in 1947
• Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948

Modern Conflicts (1948-Present)

• Major Wars:
• 1948 Arab-Israeli War: Israel expanded its territory
• 1967 Six-Day War: Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem
• 1987-1993 First Intifada: Palestinian uprising.
• 1993-1995 Oslo Accords: Established the Palestinian Authority
• 2000-2005 Second Intifada: Renewed violence.
• Recent Conflicts:
• Gaza Wars (2008-2021): Multiple conflicts between Israel and Hamas.
• 2023-Present: Continued Israeli-Palestinian violence and peace talks.

Country Details

• Official Name: State of Palestine
• Capital: East Jerusalem (claimed), Ramallah (administrative)
• Continent: Asia
• Location: Western Asia, near the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Bordered by:
• Israel (west, north, south)
• Jordan (east)
• Egypt (southwest)
• Includes West Bank and Gaza Strip
• Total Area: 6,220 km2
• West Bank: 5,655 km2
• Gaza Strip: 365 km2
• Official Language: Arabic
• Government Type: Semi-presidential parliamentary system (Palestinian Authority)

Economic Details

• Currency: Palestine does not have its own currency
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, Palestine's GDP was approximately $17.40 billion USD.
• GDP per Capita for 2023 was about $3,372.35 USD.
• Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita: $4180 USD
• Gross National Product (GNP): $36.12 billion PPP dollars
• Gini Coefficient: 33.7

Corruption and Development

• Forms of Corruption in Palestine:
• Wasta: Using personal connections to gain access to services or opportunities, undermining meritocracy
• Patron-Clientelism: Distributing public resources based on loyalty rather than competence
• Misappropriation of Funds: Instances of embezzlement, misallocation of public funds, and stipends lead to international criticism
• Impact on Development:
• Economic Stagnation: Misuse of funds and lack of transparent economic policies deter investment and stifle economic growth.
• Institutional Weakness: Corruption erodes public institutions, leading to inadequate public services
• Humanitarian Crisis: Ongoing conflict leads to severe humanitarian conditions, especially in the Gaza Strip.
• Anti-Corruption Efforts:
• Legislative Actions: In 2010, the Palestinian Authority enacted the Anti-Corruption Law, criminalizing various forms of corruption
• Civil Society Initiatives: Organizations like AMAN raise awareness about corruption and advocate for transparency in Palestinian institutions
• Challenges and the Path Forward:
• Selective Enforcement: Anti-corruption measures have been applied selectively.
• Public Perception: Surveys indicate a substantial majority of Palestinians perceive corruption
• Structural Issues: Entrenched patron-client networks and politicization of public resources present reform challenges

Population Growth

• The current population of the State of Palestine is 5,563,992 as of Monday, March 24, 2025.
• Ranks number 121 over 234 in the list of countries by population as of 2025.
• The death rate in Palestine was 3.46 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024.
• The birth rate in Palestine was 26.747 live births per 1,000 inhabitants in 2024.
• Projected to have 26.308 for 2025.
• Main language - Palestinian Arabic.
• Main religions - Islam, Judaism, Christianity.
• Ethnicity - majority is Palestinian Arab.
• Life expectancy - 74-75 years old.

Unemployment Issues

• The unemployment rate is 49.9%.
• Unemployment Issues Before the War:
• The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict created a volatile environment.
• Limited Economic Development: The Palestinian economy struggled to diversify.
• Fragile Economy: The Palestinian economy was highly dependent on external aid.
• High Population Growth put pressure on the limited job market.
• Limited Education and Skills.
• Gender Inequality.
• Unemployment Issues After the War:
• Destruction of Infrastructure.
• Loss of Jobs and Livelihoods.
• Economic Hardship.
• Reduced Access to Israeli Labor Market.
• Increased Poverty.

International Migration

• Migration to Palestine by people from other countries, ethnicities, or races is a relatively complex phenomenon due to the region's history, political situation, and ongoing conflict
• Jewish Migration to Palestine, Migration History:
• Zionist Immigration (Aliyah): Part of the Zionist movement, starting in the late 1800s and continuing through the British Mandate period (1917-1948).
• Post-World War II Migration: Jews sought refuge, leading to tensions between Jewish immigrants and the Arab population.
• Post-1948 Immigration: Many Jews from the Middle East and North Africa migrated to Israel, including Palestine.
• Arab Migration to Palestine, Migration History:
• During the 1948 Nakba, many Arabs from neighboring regions entered Palestine, especially during periods of conflict.
• Other Migrant Groups:
• Christian Migrants: Christians from Arab countries have historically migrated.
• Foreign Workers and Expats: From countries like Egypt, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Bangladesh, working in construction, domestic labor, and hospitality.
• Western and International Presence:
• Diplomats, NGOs, and International Organizations: Many expats, diplomats, and workers for international organizations, have moved to Palestine for work purposes.
• Volunteers and Activists: advocacy for Palestinian rights, humanitarian efforts, or peace-building.
• The decline in the net migration rate:
• Political Instability and Security Concerns:
• Israeli Occupation and Control: Restriction of movement into Palestinian territories.
• Conflict and Violence creates an environment of insecurity.
• Economic Challenges:
• High Unemployment Rates: Palestine faces high unemployment rates.
• Limited Economic Growth.
• Movement Restrictions and Israeli Border Control:
• Restricted Access to Gaza and the West Bank: Requiring travel permits.
• Inability to Attract Skilled Labor, long-term security deter skilled migrants.
• Humanitarian and Refugee Crisis:
• Displacement of Palestinians.
• Internal Displacement.
• Lack of Sovereignty and Political Control:
• Fragmented Authority: Palestine does not have full sovereignty over its territories.
• Uncertainty about Political Future contributes to a lack of confidence among potential migrants.
• Gaza Blockade restricts access to the region for both foreign nationals and potential migrants.
• Limited Immigration Policies.
• Social and Psychological Factors due to to prolonged conflict and instability.

Education and Development

• Education plays an important role in shaping societies and driving economic development.
• Structure of the Palestinian Educational System:
• Primary Education is a Preparatory Stage, a Lower Basic Level.
• It encompasses grade 1 to 4 and is mandatory for children aged 6 to 10.
• Focuses on foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and basic sciences.
• Middle Education is an Empowerment Stage, an Upper Basic Level.
• Covers grade 5 to 10.
• Builds upon primary education, introducing more specialized subjects and critical thinking skills.
• Secondary Education consists of two main tracks:
• The Academic Track prepares students for tertiary education in sciences, humanities, or commerce.
• Technical/Vocational Track provides practical skills in agriculture, commerce, and industrial arts.
• At the end of this stage, students take the NATIONAL SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION (TAWJIHI), which is a prerequisite for entering tertiary education.
• Tertiary Education: A variety of post-secondary institutions, including colleges which offer 2-year diplomas and universities providing 4-year undergraduate degrees and beyond.
• The oldest tertiary institution is AL-AZHAR University, established in GAZA in 1994, offering diverse faculties serving over 10,000 students.
• Development and Reforms:
• The Palestinian government has been working steadily to improve education-related infrastructure, teacher training, standardization of curricula, and the development of a comprehensive education system.
• The following three Ministries are responsible:
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Higher Education
• Ministry of Labour
• Challenges Facing the Educational System:
• Political Instability
• Economic Constraints
• Access to Education
• Quality of Education
• Education and Economic Development:
• Education serves as a catalyst for economic development in Palestine.
• Enhancing Human Capital
• Promoting Innovation
• Reducing Unemployment