Palestine (disambiguation)

Palestine (disambiguation)
source
Name	Palestine (disambiguation)
Settlement type	Disambiguation

Palestine (disambiguation) Palestine commonly refers to a geographic and historic region in the Levant and to contemporary political entities; the name also denotes former administrative units, localities worldwide, organizations, cultural concepts, and works of media. This page distinguishes among the principal uses, including historic provinces under Ottoman Empire, mandates under League of Nations, modern administrations related to State of Palestine, and toponyms in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.

Geographic and historical regions

The term applies to the ancient and medieval territorial concepts such as Canaan, Philistia, Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy), Kingdom of Judah, Hasmonean dynasty, and Herodian kingdom. In classical antiquity it appears as Syria Palaestina under Roman Empire and in late antiquity linked to Byzantine Empire administration. During the early Islamic period it corresponded to districts like Jund Filastin under the Rashidun Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, and Abbasid Caliphate. The area intersects with historic regions including Levant, Greater Syria, Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and Negev Desert.

Political entities and administrations

Modern political usages include the State of Palestine, proclaimed by the Palestine Liberation Organization and recognized by many members of the United Nations General Assembly; its institutions include the Palestinian National Authority (now often called the Palestinian Authority). Historical administrations comprise the Mandate for Palestine established by the League of Nations after World War I, the British British Mandate for Palestine period, the All-Palestine Government proclaimed in Gaza under Arab League auspices, and the Ottoman-era Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem. Contemporary governance intersects with arrangements such as the Oslo Accords between Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel, negotiations involving the Quartet on the Middle East, and international bodies including the United Nations and International Criminal Court.

Places and settlements

Numerous localities bear the name across the world. In the Levant, notable cities include Jerusalem, Ramallah, Gaza City, Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, Jaffa, Haifa, Acre (Akko), and Jericho. In the United States, towns include Palestine, Texas, Palestine, Illinois, Palestine, Arkansas, Palestine, Ohio, Palestine, West Virginia, Palestine, Indiana, and New Palestine, Indiana. Canada hosts Palestine, Ontario; elsewhere there are localities such as Palestine, Brazil and historic sites like Palestine, Cornwall. Geographic features include the Jordan River, Dead Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the West Bank plateau; archaeological sites include Megiddo, Qumran, Masada, Bet She'an, and Tel Aviv-Jaffa environs.

Organizations and institutions

Organizations using the name span political movements, parties, and civic bodies: Palestine Liberation Organization, Fatah, Hamas, Palestinian People's Party, Palestinian Communist Party, Palestine National Council, and the Palestinian Legislative Council. International and aid organizations include Palestine Red Crescent Society and UN agencies like United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Academic and cultural institutions include Al-Quds University, Birzeit University, Hebron University, Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, and museums such as the Palestine Museum US and local cultural centers in Ramallah and Gaza City.

Culture, language, and people

The designation covers the Palestinians as an ethnonational group, including diaspora communities in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the European Union. Languages and dialects associated include Palestinian Arabic, Hebrew as used in contact zones, and heritage languages like Aramaic and Greek (Cappadocian Greek) in historical contexts. Cultural expressions include Palestinian cuisine staples such as maqluba and falafel shared across the Levant, literary figures like Mahmoud Darwish and Edward Said, artists such as Naji al-Ali and Sliman Mansour, and musical traditions represented by Le Trio Joubran and performers active in Ramallah and Bethlehem festivals.

Other uses and media

The name appears in titles of works and media: the 20th-century historical surveys by E. H. Palmer and Rashid Khalidi, travelogues referencing Palestine Exploration Fund expeditions, films concerning the region screened at Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, and periodicals like Filastin (newspaper). Military and diplomatic references include events such as the Battle of Jerusalem (1917), the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Six-Day War, and treaties like the Camp David Accords and Oslo Accords. The term also designates vessels and institutions in other countries, sports clubs, and community organizations bearing the Palestine name.

Category:Disambiguation pages