Palestine's First Inhabitants

Early Inhabitants of Palestine

• The earliest known inhabitants of Palestine are the Natufians, who lived in the 14th century BC.
• They left behind artifacts, but their origins and identity remain unknown.
• The city of Ariha, considered the oldest city in the world, was established in the 8th century BC.

Canaanites and Other Arab Tribes

• The first confirmed settlers of Palestine were the Canaanites, Amorites, and other Arab tribes, who migrated from the Arabian Peninsula.
• These tribes divided into different groups, with the Canaanites settling in the plains, the Jebusites in the Jerusalem area, and the Phoenicians and Amorites in the mountains.
• The region was known as the "Land of Canaan" in historical records and among archaeologists.

Origin of the Name "Palestine"

• The name "Palestine" has deep historical roots, derived from the word "Philistim," which referred to the original Palestinian people.
• This group was mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts and the Old Testament, where they were known as the Philistines or Pelisti.
• The name "Palestine" was used to refer to the region as a whole, encompassing the historical lands of the Palestinian people.

First Users of the Name "Palestine"

• The name "Palestine" was first used by a group of people who came from the Mediterranean, including the island of Crete, after they were affected by a famine.
• They attacked the coasts of Syria and Egypt, but were defeated by Ramses III in the famous Battle of Lachish.
• They were later allowed to settle in southern Palestine, where they were known as the Philistines, and their land was called "Philistia."

Rulers of Palestine Before the Occupation

• Before the Israeli occupation, Palestine was under British administration, pursuant to the British Mandate for Palestine, which began after World War I and lasted until 1948.
• Prior to the British Mandate, Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire for many centuries.

History of Jews in Palestine

• The prophet Abraham lived in Palestine.
• Abraham migrated from Babylon to the Levant and then to Egypt, eventually settling in Hebron, Palestine, with his wife Sarah.
• Abraham had a son, Ishmael, with his wife Hagar, and later had a son, Isaac, with Sarah.
• The prophet Jacob, who was also known as Israel, was a descendant of Abraham and Isaac.
• The story of Joseph, son of Jacob, shows that the Israelites migrated to Palestine, but did not stay for long and eventually left for Egypt.
• Historians, both Arab and Western, agree on this account.

Moses and the Israelites' Migration to Palestine

• The Israelites lived comfortably in Egypt during the time of Joseph, but later became slaves and were mistreated.
• Moses was sent by God to rescue the Israelites from Egypt and lead them back to Palestine.
• During their journey, they witnessed nine great miracles, and eventually crossed the Red Sea, where Pharaoh's army was drowned.
• In the Sinai Desert, they encountered a group of people who worshiped idols, and the Israelites asked Moses to create idols for them, which led to a crisis in their faith.