Introduction

The question of whether there were Palestinian people before the creation of Israel touches on a deeply complex and contentious issue. This article delves into the historical and political aspects, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the timeline and context surrounding this debate.

Historical Context

The history of the region now known as Israel and Palestine is far from straightforward. For a significant period, from the failure of the Crusades to the early 20th century, Western powers showed little interest in the area. It was fully integrated into the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the land for centuries, until World War I.

With the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the future of the region became a topic of international discussion. The British Empire took control, leading to a period where the area was known as Mandatory Palestine under British administration from 1920 to 1948. The British mandate aimed to facilitate the creation of a Jewish homeland within the territory.

During this time, the term 'Palestine' was indeed in common usage, even dating back to Roman times. However, it denoted a general administrative area rather than a country with defined sovereignty.

Land Ownership and Sovereignty

Understanding the types of land ownership is crucial to grasping the situation. Governments typically own public land, while private land is owned by individuals. From 1920 to 1948, the public land in what is now known as Palestine belonged to the Ottoman Empire as part of its Syrian province. After World War I, it came under British control, being managed as a mandate to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish homeland.

Israel succeeded the British sovereignty in 1948, although for 19 years, Gaza was illegally occupied by Egypt, and Judea/Samaria and eastern Jerusalem were illegally occupied by Jordan. The concept of 'Palestine' as a nation never fully materialized although the name 'Palestine' remained in use for the territorial mandate.

The Term 'Palestinians'

The question of whether 'Palestinians' as a distinct people exists is a contentious one. Many argue that the term 'Palestinian' is a modern construct rather than a historical reality. According to historical records, there were Arab inhabitants in the region who identified as Arabs, but they did not refer to themselves as 'Palestinians' until recently.

Striking evidence of this can be found in Zuheir Mohsen's statement. In a 1977 interview, Mohsen, a former member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) utive Committee, noted that there was no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. He suggested that the notion of a 'Palestinian people' was created for political reasons, primarily to support the PLO's claim to the entire territory of the former British mandate, excluding Israel.

Robert Spencer's book, The Palestinian Delusion, offers a detailed analysis of this topic, presenting the argument that the idea of 'Palestinians' as a distinct people is a relatively recent development.

Conclusion

The existence of a distinct 'Palestinian' identity as we understand it today is a subject of historical and political discourse. While the term 'Palestine' and 'Palestinians' have existed in modern times, their significance and meaning have evolved significantly, shaping the current geopolitical landscape.

For a deeper understanding of the historical and political context, readers are encouraged to explore Robert Spencer's work and other scholarly sources on the subject.

Further reading:

Spencer, R. (2009). The Palestinian Delusion. Salem Press.