Palestinian people

Palestinian people
Group	Palestinian people
Native name	الشعب الفلسطيني
Native name lang	ar
Population	c. 14 million
Region1	State of Palestine
Pop1	5,483,450
Region2	Jordan
Pop2	3,240,000
Region3	Israel
Pop3	2,080,000
Region4	Syria
Pop4	568,000
Region5	Chile
Pop5	500,000
Region6	Lebanon
Pop6	448,000
Region7	Saudi Arabia
Pop7	400,000
Region8	Egypt
Pop8	270,000
Region9	United States
Pop9	255,000
Region10	Honduras
Pop10	250,000
Languages	Palestinian Arabic
Religions	Majority Sunni Islam, minority Christianity
Related groups	Levantine Arabs, Jordanians, Syrians, Lebanese people

Palestinian people. They are an Arab ethnonational group primarily originating from the geographic region of Palestine. Their modern national identity coalesced during the British Mandate for Palestine and solidified after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known as the Nakba. Today, they are predominantly Muslim with a significant Christian minority, and their population is distributed between the State of Palestine, Israel, and a global diaspora.

History

The land of Palestine has been inhabited for millennia, with a history shaped by successive empires including the Canaanites, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Hellenistic kingdoms, Romans, and Byzantines. The Muslim conquest of the Levant in the 7th century began a long period of Arabization and Islamization. Following the First World War, the League of Nations granted Britain the Mandate for Palestine, during which Zionist immigration increased tensions, leading to the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. The United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947 was rejected by Arab leaders, and the subsequent 1948 Arab–Israeli War resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands in the Nakba. Further displacement occurred after the Six-Day War in 1967. Key political developments include the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization under Yasser Arafat, the First Intifada, the Oslo Accords, and the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Demographics

The total population is estimated at approximately 14 million. Within the State of Palestine, which comprises the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, there are over 5 million people, with significant populations in cities like East Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, and Gaza City. In Israel, they form the largest minority group, often referred to as Arab citizens of Israel or Israeli Arabs, with major communities in Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm, and the Negev. The Arab world hosts large populations, notably in Jordan (including many in refugee camps like Al-Baqa'a camp), Lebanon (such as in the Shatila camp), and Syria. Substantial diaspora communities exist in the Americas, particularly in Chile, Honduras, and the United States, as well as in Europe and the Persian Gulf states.

Society and culture

Culture is deeply rooted in Levantine Arab traditions. The primary language is Palestinian Arabic, a dialect of Levantine Arabic. Palestinian cuisine features staples like maqluba, musakhan, and falafel. Traditional embroidery, known as tatreez, is a renowned folk art. Literature and intellectual thought have been profoundly shaped by the national experience, with prominent figures like poet Mahmoud Darwish, author Ghassan Kanafani, and historian Walid Khalidi. Palestinian music includes traditional forms like ataba and dabke folk dance, as well as modern artists such as Marcel Khalife. Cultural institutions like the Palestinian Museum near Ramallah and the Al-Hakawati theatre work to preserve heritage.

Politics and governance

The national movement is represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization, recognized by the United Nations and the Arab League as the sole legitimate representative. The Palestinian National Authority, established by the Oslo Accords, exercises limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The political landscape is divided between the Fatah party, which dominates the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank, and the Hamas movement, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The State of Palestine is recognized by numerous countries and has non-member observer state status at the UN. Key political figures beyond Yasser Arafat have included Mahmoud Abbas, Hanan Ashrawi, and Marwan Barghouti. Major factions include the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Economy

Economic conditions vary drastically by location. In the West Bank, the economy is constrained by Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, and restrictions on movement and access, including the Israeli West Bank barrier. Key sectors include agriculture (olives, citrus), construction, and public sector employment, with some manufacturing in cities like Jenin. The Gaza Strip's economy has been crippled by the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, leading to extreme poverty and reliance on international aid through agencies like UNRWA. Within Israel, those who are citizens participate in a more advanced economy, working in sectors from high-tech in Haifa to healthcare. The diaspora contributes significantly through remittances, and notable business figures include billionaire Sabih Al-Masri.

Diaspora

The global diaspora, resulting primarily from the Nakba and the 1967 war, is one of the world's largest and most politically active. Major concentrations exist in Jordan, where many hold citizenship, and Lebanon, where they face legal restrictions. In the Americas, large communities were established in the early 20th century, with Chile hosting the largest population outside the Arab world, centered in neighborhoods like Patronato in Santiago. Significant communities also exist in the United States, particularly in areas like Chicago, Detroit, and Paterson, New Jersey. Diaspora organizations, such as the Palestine American Congress and the General Union of Palestinian Students, along with vocal public figures like professor Edward Said and activist Linda Sarsour, play crucial roles in advocacy and cultural preservation.

Category:Palestinian people Category:Ethnic groups in Asia Category:Arab people