Who Are the Palestinians?
A Rich History and Cultural Identity
There are many myths spread by pro-Israeli narratives about the Palestinians and their origins. Some claim Palestinians are simply “Arabs” who migrated to the region recently, that they have no historic connection to the land, or that the area was empty before Zionist settlers arrived. These ideas have been repeatedly debunked, even by Israeli scholars, including the “New Israeli Historians” like Ilan Pappé and Benny Morris.
The truth is that Palestinians are the indigenous people of Palestine, with roots going back thousands of years. They are not outsiders or new arrivals—they are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the land.
The Indigenous People of Palestine
Palestinians trace their lineage to the ancient Canaanites and other Semitic peoples who first settled the area. Over the centuries, the land became home to a rich blend of cultures and religions. Before Islam, most of the population were Jews and Christians. When Islam spread to the region in the 7th century, many locals converted, but they remained deeply connected to the land’s traditions.
This means that today’s Palestinians—whether Muslim, Christian, or part of the small Jewish Palestinian community—share a direct link to the land’s ancient history. They are not just “Arabs” but the inheritors of a unique cultural and historical legacy.
Another myth claims that Palestine was empty or barren before Zionist settlers arrived in the late 19th century. In reality, Palestine was home to a thriving society of farmers, traders, and craftspeople. Cities like Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Nablus had been centres of culture and commerce for centuries. The land was not empty—it was inhabited by Palestinians who had cultivated it for generations.
Palestinian Jews and Shared Culture
Before the creation of Israel in 1948, there were Jewish Palestinians who had lived in the land for centuries alongside Muslims and Christians. These communities shared a local identity tied to the land, distinct from the European Zionist movement that sought to establish a new state. Palestinian Jews were part of the cultural and social fabric of the region, just like their neighbours.
Palestinian identity is deeply rooted in the land’s history and traditions. Their culture is a mix of ancient Semitic heritage and local creativity. Music, storytelling, embroidery, and cuisine all reflect this unique blend. Traditional dishes like maqluba and musakhan are part of a culinary tradition that ties Palestinians to their agricultural roots. Folk dances like dabke and tatreez embroidery patterns tell stories of the land and its people.
The displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba in 1948, when hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes, was a turning point. According to New Israeli Historians, this was not just a by-product of war but a deliberate effort to clear the land for the new state of Israel. Despite these hardships, Palestinians have preserved their identity and connection to their homeland.
Conclusion
The myths about Palestinians being “foreigners” or “recent arrivals” are deliberate attempts to erase their deep-rooted history and justify their dispossession. Contrary to such claims, Palestinians are the indigenous people of Palestine, with their heritage stretching back thousands of years. Archaeological findings, historical records, and cultural traditions all attest to their enduring presence in the region.
Their contributions to agriculture, architecture, trade, and spirituality shaped the land’s character over centuries. Whether Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, Palestinians represent the continuity of a richly diverse civilisation that modern political narratives cannot rewrite or erase. Their ancestral ties to the land reflect not only their history but also their rightful place in its present and future.
Special thanks to Avenfair for the reminder to pen this one down.
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