The official name is the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Located in the southwestern part of Asia off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Consists of two separate territories: the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Area - 6.2 thousand km2: West Bank - 5.8 thousand km2, Gaza Strip - 360 km2. At the beginning of 2000, the PNA de facto controlled 4.4 thousand km2, which is less than 40% of the total area allocated by the UN for the Arab Palestinian state. Population - 3.4 million people. (July 2002). The official language is Arabic.
On November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council declared Jerusalem the capital of the Arab Palestinian State. Currently completely controlled by Israel.
Public holidays - Day of the beginning of the “Palestinian revolution” January 1 (1965), Day of the proclamation of the State of Palestine. November 15 (1988), Day of International Solidarity with the Palestinian People November 29. Monetary units: Israeli shekel (equal to 4.7 US dollars, 2002) and Jordanian dinar (equal to 0.7 US dollars since 1996).
Member of the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and several others. Maintains diplomatic relations with 120 countries of the world.
Sights of Palestine
Geography of Palestine
The PNA borders: in the West Bank - with Israel (administrative border - 307 km), with Jordan (97 km), in the Gaza Strip - with Egypt (11 km). It is located in a subtropical climate zone of the Mediterranean type with dry, hot summers and mild winters, with extremely scanty rainfall: from 500 mm in the mountainous northern and central regions of the West Bank to 50 mm on the Dead Sea coast. Among the few rivers, the largest is the Jordan River, flowing from Lake Tiberias (Gensaret) in the north and flowing into the Dead Sea in the south of the West Bank. It does not have any significant natural resources, with the exception of potassium salts, sodium and bromine in the Dead Sea.
Population of Palestine
Of the total population 3.4 million people. 2.2 million live in the West Bank, 1.2 million in the Gaza Strip (2002). The population has increased by an average of 3.5% per year over the past 30 years. Age structure of the population: 0-14 years - 44.1%, 15-64 years - 52.4%, 65 years and over - 3.5%. Children and adolescents under 15 years old make up 46% of the total population of the PNA. 42.6% of the population are refugees, mainly from the western regions occupied by Israel.
The demographic structure of the PNA is characterized by a high concentration and density of population around urban centers, in no small part due to the existence of refugee camps there. Thus, according to the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRRA), in the late 1980s. In the West Bank alone, there were 20 such camps with a population of 385 thousand people, including one camp in the Jerusalem municipality. The maximum degree of population density and concentration is characteristic of the Gaza Strip. Two-thirds of the area's total population lived in refugee camps.
In con. 1980s in the West Bank there were 12 cities and, according to various sources, from 377 to 403 villages; in the Gaza Strip - 3 cities and 4 villages. The largest cities: Jerusalem, in the eastern (Arab) part of which lived 136 thousand Palestinians, Ramallah, Jericho (Ariha), Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Salfit, Tubas, Tulkarm, Northern Gaza, Gaza City, Khan -Younis, Deir al-Balah, Rafah.
An important feature of the demographic structure of the PNA population is their national and religious homogeneity: the overwhelming majority (83%) of the inhabitants of these territories are Arabs, i.e. Palestinians who speak Arabic. By religious affiliation, 75% of the population professes Sunni Islam; the rest: Jews - Judaism, Christians - Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
History of Palestine
As a result of World War I, Great Britain captured the territory, which in ancient times was called Palestine, from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). She received a mandate for this territory and restored its historical name. At that time, the name “Palestine” applied to all inhabitants - Arabs, Jews and Christians. In 1946, the Transjordanian sector of Palestine was allocated by Great Britain as an independent kingdom. On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 181, which provided for the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of two independent states on its territory - Arab and Jewish. A special international regime with a special status under the control of the UN was established for Jerusalem. The resolution was supported by the USA and the USSR, but the League of Arab States made a statement on December 17, 1947 that it would not allow the implementation of this resolution, since it provided for the creation of a Jewish state.
On May 14, 1948, Great Britain announced the termination of its mandate and the withdrawal of its troops. On the night of May 14-15, the Jewish Agency announced the creation of the State of Israel in the territories allocated to it in the resolution. The USA and USSR recognized the State of Israel. Irregular Arab units from Egypt, Syria and Iraq began to move towards Palestine and occupy military bases liberated by the British, and on May 15, the regular armies of Egypt, Transjordan, Iraq, Syria and individual contingents from Saudi Arabia under the banner of the Arab League entered Palestine. The Arab-Israeli War of 1948-49 ended with the defeat of the Arab armies and the seizure by Israel of significant Palestinian territories, allocated according to a UN resolution for the creation of an Arab state, as well as the western part of Jerusalem. Transjordan occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Egypt occupied the Gaza region. The problem of Palestinian refugees arose for many decades. In 1950, the king of Transjordan annexed the West Bank and renamed the country Jordan.
From ser. 1960s The initiative in confronting Israel and the struggle for the creation of a Palestinian state began to shift to the Palestinians themselves. In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was created, which united disparate groups and organizations of the fedayeen under its roof. In the same year, the National Council of Palestine (Palestinian “parliament in exile”) and the Executive Committee (“government in exile”) were formed, which since 1969 have been invariably headed by Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Al-Fatah organization, which since 1969 has become the parent organization of the PLO .
On June 5, 1967, the “Six Day War” began between the Arabs and Israel after the Egyptian leadership demanded that the UN withdraw the UN emergency force in Sinai, which served there as a buffer between the opposing forces. Israel struck first and on June 5, 1967 destroyed most of Egypt's aircraft at airfields. On June 10, the war effectively ended, resulting in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Egyptian Sinai, Syrian Golan Heights and East Jerusalem.
On November 22, 1967, the UN Security Council adopted resolution No. 242, which set out the principles of a peace settlement in the Middle East. Egypt and Jordan recognized the resolution, setting a number of preconditions for peace negotiations. Israel also recognized Resolution 242, declaring the need for direct negotiations with Arab states and a comprehensive peace agreement. Syria rejected the resolution, strongly opposing the concessions it demanded from Arab countries. The PLO also sharply criticized resolution No. 242. The solution to the problem reached a dead end.
During the 1970s, in Jordan, where the PLO had established itself, tensions began to rise between the royal government and the Palestinians. As a result of the clashes, the PLO was withdrawn from the country and its forces regrouped in neighboring Lebanon.
In October 1973, hostilities began again between Egypt and Israel in the Suez Canal and Sinai area, as well as between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. The UN Security Council adopted resolution No. 338 (1973), which reaffirmed the principles of a peaceful settlement enshrined in resolution No. 242, and called on the parties to begin peace negotiations on their basis. The UN call for a ceasefire was later confirmed in UN Security Council Resolution No. 339 (1973). In October, the peacekeeping UN Emergency Force was created. Israel and Egypt (1974), and then Israel and Syria (1975) agreed to the disengagement of their Armed Forces. The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established to monitor compliance with the agreements between Israel and Syria. The UNDOF mandate in the conflict zone between Egypt and Israel expired in July 1979 after the conclusion of a peace treaty between these countries. But UNDOF continues to operate in the Golan Heights to this day.
In 1974, the King of Jordan revoked his right to represent the Palestinian people in the international arena and recognized the same as the PLO Executive Committee.
In December 1987, a popular uprising began in the territories occupied by Israel, putting forward the end of the Israeli occupation and the creation of an independent Palestinian state as its main slogans. On November 15, 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization proclaimed the creation of the State of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and recognized the UN Security Council resolutions on resolving the Middle East conflict, incl. Israel's right to exist, put forward demands for Israel's withdrawal from all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied by it in 1967, including the Arab (eastern) part of Jerusalem, and the liquidation of all Israeli settlements established in these territories.
The United States and many other countries established diplomatic contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization. On November 18, 1988, the USSR announced recognition of the Palestinian state. In January 1990, the PLO representative office in the USSR, which had existed since 1981 and had the status of a diplomatic mission, was transformed into the Embassy of the State of Palestine.
In October 1991, an international conference on the Middle East opened in Madrid, marking the beginning of the peace process in the region. On September 13, 1993, Israeli Prime Minister I. Rabin and PLO Secretary General M. Abbas signed the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, which defined the basis for organizing interim self-government for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (Oslo 1). In 1994 and 1995, the parties signed additional agreements that determined the terms of the five-year transition period and the organization of Palestinian self-government in the Palestinian territories (Oslo 2) - the Palestinian National Authority. As a result, in 1996 elections were held for the Palestinian Legislative Council, presidential elections, and a government was formed.
On May 4, 1999, after the expiration of the five-year transition period provided for by the Declaration of Principles and additional agreements, an agreement was to be reached between Israel and the PNA to determine the final status of the Palestinian Authority and the creation of a Palestinian state. However, by this time the parties failed to reach an agreement; negotiations were interrupted due to disagreements on a number of fundamental issues: the territorial delimitation between Israel and the Palestinian state, the status of Jerusalem, the fate of Jewish settlements and the return of Palestinian refugees.
In the current situation, on April 30, 2003, representatives of the international community - the “four international mediators”: Russia, the USA, the EU and the UN - put forward a project for overcoming the crisis “Road Map”. This project envisages peaceful progress towards a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in 3 stages in accordance with the two-state principle. The ultimate goal of the plan is a final and comprehensive settlement of the conflict by 2005. Stage I: the end of terror and violence, the normalization of living conditions of Palestinians, the formation of Palestinian institutions. Stage II: creation of an independent Palestinian state within temporary boundaries and with attributes of sovereignty based on a new Constitution. Stage III: Permanent status agreement and end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
A logical continuation of the consistent efforts of the international community to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was the adoption on November 19, 2003 by the UN Security Council of Resolution No. 1515 proposed by Russia, which expressed support for the Road Map project and called on the parties to implement its provisions in cooperation with the Quartet.
Government and political system of Palestine
In terms of its political structure, the PNA is actually a political condominium of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. In the current power structure, the most important powers - foreign relations, internal and external security, public order and security in Israeli settlement areas - are retained by Israel. In addition, according to the Memorandum signed by representatives of the Palestinian and Israeli authorities in September 1999 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Israel continues to fully control the so-called. zone C (sparsely populated areas, Jewish settlements, as well as military-strategic places important for Israel in the West Bank and Gaza Strip), accounting for a total of more than 50% of the entire PNA territory. The powers of the Palestinian Authority extend to most Palestinian cities (Area A) and rural settlements in the West Bank (Area B).
The Palestinian Legislative Council consists of 88 people. The government consists of 26 people. Its functions include: regulation of economic life, ensuring security in the area of responsibility of the PNA, taxation and social security, education, healthcare, culture, tourism.
The main official in the power structure of the PNA, who determines its domestic and foreign policy, is Ya. Arafat. He combines the positions of president of the PNA and chairman of the PLO Executive Committee, uniting in his hands all three branches of government of the PNA - legislative, executive and judicial.
The formation of the judicial system on the territory of the PNA, as well as other government bodies, is in its infancy. There are secular and religious courts. The highest judicial body - the Supreme Court of the PNA - is authorized to supervise the activities of courts at lower levels. The nomination, appointment and removal of judges is the responsibility of Ya. Arafat. The activities of Sharia courts are formally led by the Mufti of Palestine, although the appointment of members of Sharia courts is under the control of the Ministry of Justice. Sharia courts deal primarily with issues of “personal status of Muslims” (marriage, divorce, inheritance law, etc.).
The PNA territory is divided into 16 administrative units. West Bank - 9 districts and 2 districts. Districts: Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Nablus, Jerusalem, Jericho (Ariha), Bethlehem, Hebron, Tubas. Areas: Salfit and Ramallah al-Bira. Gaza Strip - districts: North Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Rafah. City mayors and chairmen of local councils are appointed by the central authorities of the PNA, members of local councils are elected by the population. Local authorities are directly responsible for issues of education, culture, sanitary conditions, health care, and social security.
The functions of maintaining order and the safety of citizens are carried out by security organizations, primarily the Palestinian police. Its population, according to various estimates, is 30-45 thousand people. Along with regular police units, various types of special services function: “Service_17”, also known as the Presidential Guard (about 3 thousand soldiers), national security forces carrying out patrol service and border protection (about 6 thousand people), public service security (approx. 14 thousand people), law enforcement police (POP, 10 thousand people). In addition to maintaining law and order, the task of the POP includes resolving crisis situations and combating terrorism. Since the creation of the PNA, a counterintelligence service has also operated in the Palestinian territories, monitoring socio-political life and the state of affairs in various social movements. The entire system of law enforcement agencies and services is coordinated by the Palestinian Security Council (PSC), headed by Yasser Arafat.
The PNA has a very developed public political infrastructure. Although there are no parties in the usual sense of the word, there are various movements and socio-political organizations that represent certain sectors of Palestinian society. The largest and most influential organization is Al-Fatah - the Palestine Liberation Movement. In modern Palestinian society, this is a kind of “party of power”: its functionaries and leaders occupy a dominant position in most power structures, from the president to city mayors. Another influential organization, Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement), advocates the construction of an independent Islamic state throughout Palestine, including that part that was allocated by the UN to form the State of Israel.
An important role in the socio-political life of the PNA is played by trade unions, uniting more than 250 thousand people, women's organizations, unions of students, writers and journalists, lawyers, and artists.
Economy of Palestine
The main sectors of the PNA economy - agriculture, industry, trade and services - are focused on the “common market” with Israel. More than 60% of the agricultural products of these territories (mainly olives, tobacco, citrus fruits, vegetables and some types of raw materials) are sent for processing and consumption to Israel. Export of agricultural products in value terms - 603 million US dollars. Total import value - US$1.9 billion (2002). More than 90% of imports are consumer goods from Israel (textiles, electrical goods, vehicles, as well as some food products - flour, sugar, rice).
The general trend of recent times in the economy is a reduction in employment of the population in agriculture, its “de-peasantization” and transformation into hired workers - semi-proletarians. In the 1990s, according to some estimates, up to 50% of the active population of the West Bank and Gaza were wage workers, 66% of them were employed in the service sector, 21% in industry and 13% in agriculture. In the structure of GDP, the share of agriculture in 2002 was 9%, industry - 28%, and services - 63%.
Small-scale production predominates in industry: small enterprises, workshops with the number of workers from 50 to 10 people. and less (mainly for the production of olive oil, furniture, textiles, leather goods, soap, plastic materials). Some industrial enterprises in the West Bank specialize in the production of building materials: cement, non-metallic minerals, building stone, marble. 90% of industrial production of PNA goes to local markets and only approx. 10% is exported to Israel, Jordan, Egypt.
A specific feature of the PNA economy is the massive migration of Arab workers to work in Israel, where they are used mainly for hard work in construction, agriculture, road construction, and in urban services. In the 1970-80s. the number of such workers reached 100-120 thousand annually. In 2000-03, due to the introduction by the Israeli government of the practice of closing the borders with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, this figure dropped to 30-40 thousand.
PHA is one of those countries whose economic viability is largely dependent on foreign financial assistance. In 1994-98, this assistance was provided (in million US dollars): the Arab world - 43, Europe (EU countries) - 277, USA - 65, Japan - 62, IBRD - 24.
Budget 2002 (million US dollars): revenues - 930, expenses - 1200, external debt - 108.
GDP per capita per year - $800. The Palestinians living in refugee camps are in the most difficult situation. The official amount of UNWRA expenses per person. Equal to $37 per year. From malnutrition, diseases, especially stomach diseases, and lack of doctors, child mortality reaches 32%. There is one doctor for every 10 thousand refugees. The unemployment rate exceeds 30%, and in Gaza it is 60%.
Science and culture of Palestine
The PNA has a fairly developed education system, which includes primary school education, 2nd level schools, universities, colleges, institutes and vocational schools. In the 2002/03 school year, there were 1,493 public schools (primary and preparatory levels) run by the TNA administration, 244 private schools and 269 UNWRA-run schools in refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. All these schools had 984 thousand students, compared to 663 thousand in 1995/96. According to the first census conducted by the PNA administration in 1997, a total of 90% of Palestinians were covered by the education system. A wide network of school facilities ensures a high literacy rate for the population of the Palestinian territories, estimated at more than 70%.
The training of teaching staff for schools of the 1st and 2nd levels, as well as specialists in various fields of knowledge, is carried out in higher educational institutions of the Palestinian Authority: at Bir-Zate universities (in the vicinity of Ramallah), An-Najah, in institutes and colleges in Gaza - Jenin, Nablus, East Jerusalem and other large Palestinian cities. A large number of Palestinian students receive education abroad: in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, in European countries, incl. in Russia. On April 21, 1998, an agreement was signed in Ramallah between the Ministry of General and Vocational Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Higher Education of the PNA on cooperation in the field of education for 1998-2002. In total, approx. 1.5 thousand Palestinian specialists with higher education, incl. candidates and doctors of science. Among Palestinian university graduates over the past 20 years, St. 60% are specialists in the humanitarian and social fields, 36% are engineers, specialists in agriculture and medicine.
Modern literature of Arab Palestine consists mainly of the works of a new generation of Palestinian writers and poets. The most prominent representatives of this generation: the outstanding Palestinian poet, laureate of the international literary prize “Lotus” Mahmoud Derwish (cycle of poems “Songs of my little homeland”, poem “Poems in the glare of a shot”), poets Samih al-Kasem, Muin Bsisu. Writers and poets of the older generation - Abu Salma, Tawfik Zayyad, Emil Habibi. Works of Palestinian writers have been published in Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and European countries, incl. in the Soviet Union and Russia.
In recent years, fine arts, especially painting and graphics, have occupied a prominent place in the culture of Arab Palestine. The most famous Palestinian artists: Ismail Shammout (paintings “The Good Land”, “Women from Palestine”), Tamam al-Akhal, Tawfik Abdulal, Abded Muty Abu Zeida, Samir Salama (paintings “Palestinian Refugee Camp”, “Peace and War”, "People's Resistance"). The works of the artist Ibrahim Ghanem, who is rightly called the “artist of the Palestinian village,” are widely popular among the Palestinian population. In his paintings, he shows the usual daily work of fellah peasants, their traditional customs and rituals, colorful costumes and dances, and landscapes of Palestinian villages filled with sunlight. The painter subtly conveys this deep feeling of his native land and the customs of its people in the compositions “Dancing in the Village Square”, “Harvest”, “Rural Landscape”. The life and work of peasants and townspeople are equally sincerely and soulfully shown in the paintings of artists Jumarani al-Husseini (“Olive Harvest Season”), Leila al-Shawwa (“Village Women”), Ibrahim Hazim (“Girls”).
Filmmakers make a significant contribution to the development of the national culture of Palestine. Among the works of young Palestinian filmmakers are “Chronicle of a Disappearance” and “Divine Intervention” (dir. Ilya Seleyman, 2002), “Invasion” (dir. Nizar Hasan), “Chronicle of a Siege” (dir. Samir Abdullah, working in France), documentary Muhammad Bakri's film "Jenin" (2002), "Rana's Wedding" (dir. Hani Abu Assad, Palestine - Netherlands, 2002) and a number of other films.
Contemporary national fine art in Palestine is characterized by the desire of artists of the new generation for a close connection with the masses, to unite the creative forces of masters of the older generation who are in exile (in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt) with young artists who have recently come to art and live in the Palestinian territories autonomy. These new trends towards uniting all the creative forces of writers and masters of fine art in the territory of the autonomy and the Palestinian diaspora contribute to the preservation of the national community and unity of the Palestinian people in the face of the difficult trials and upheavals that have befallen them.
Palestine began thousands of years ago. Having such a long history, having survived dozens of wars, it is obvious that the borders of the state changed regularly. The territory where Palestine was located increased or decreased depending on the influence of neighboring states, the invasion of invaders, and the decisions of world political leaders.
What does the name of the state mean?
The ancient state originated in the coastal zone of the Mediterranean Sea. These lands were inhabited by the Philistines starting in the 12th century BC. The name of this people gave the name to Palestine. In Hebrew, this word sounded like “pelishtim”, translated it means “invaders”.
Throughout its history, Palestine was independent for a relatively short period of time. With the arrival of successive invaders, the name of the lands also changed. The territory where Palestine was located was called Canaan, Palestine Syria, the Kingdom of Israel, Judea.
Geographical location of Ancient Palestine
Palestine is located in the southwestern part of Asia. Since ancient times, the state has been bordered on the eastern side by the Arabian Desert. The western border was washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Dan is considered the northernmost settlement of the territory where Palestine was located in ancient times. The southernmost point is Bathsheba. The northern border of the state began from the Leontes River, above the city of Tire. Then it went straight until it crossed the Jordan River. To the south it extended to the Dead Sea. The territory where Palestine was located in ancient times covered 240 kilometers from north to south. The total area of the country was 25 thousand square kilometers.
The ancient state was usually divided into several regions. The western part is the Coastal Plain. It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The central part from north to south is occupied by Galilee, Samaria and Judea. They are limited to the east by the Jordan Valley. South of Judea is the Negev Desert. The eastern region is called Transjordan or Transjordan Highlands.
On the modern world map, the territory where Ancient Palestine was located today includes Israel, the Gaza Strip, South Lebanon, North-West Jordan and the Palestinian National Authority.
Holy Crescent
This was the name given to the region of the Middle East, which has fertile soil and climatic conditions that are most comfortable for life. This geographic area is also characterized by increased levels of precipitation. It is believed that this is where agriculture and cattle breeding originated in ancient times. Archaeological research has shown that this was a densely populated region, and was the cradle of modern civilization.
In the modern world, this territory is occupied by Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Iraq, North-West Jordan, south-east Turkey and south-west Iran. The southwestern part of the “crescent” was the territory where Palestine was located.
Galilee
This area was the northern part of Ancient Palestine. It was located between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan Valley. The landscape of Galilee is mountainous, which gives the area its name. In Hebrew, the word for "wave" is pronounced "gal."
The history of Galilee begins in the third millennium BC. These lands were inhabited by many pagan tribes. At different periods of time, Galilee was part of different states. Until 722 BC it was the territory of the Kingdom of Israel, then it became part of the Assyrian state. In 539 BC it was conquered by the Persians, in 333 BC - by the Greeks under the leadership of Alexander the Great. Beginning in 63 BC, Galilee became part of the Roman Empire.
This part of Palestine attracted invaders with its fertile plains. Galilee has an important place in biblical stories. It was the birthplace of most of the apostles. Nazareth was also located there, where Jesus Christ was born and lived for 30 years; in the cities of Cana and Nain he showed miracles to the world.
Samaria
Below Galilee in central Palestine was Samaria. It was here that a city was built about 3 thousand years ago, which became the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. This city, called Samaria, was considered one of the richest and most protected fortresses in Palestine.
This area is located on the west bank of the Jordan River. There are practically no plains in Samaria; the landscape of this territory is mainly composed of mountains and hills. It is noteworthy that the descendants of the ancient inhabitants of these places still live here. They call themselves Samaritans.
Judea
This area has other names: Eretz Yehuda, Land of Judah, Palestinian Syria. Together with Samaria it forms the West Bank of Jordan. The climate of Judea is quite harsh. The Old Testament mentions that it occupied the lands between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It included: part of the Negev Desert, the Judean Desert, the Judean Mountains, and the Judean Lowland.
During the time of the Kingdom of Israel, it included Jerusalem, Jericho, Shimon, Dan, Benjamin.
The region received its name from the name of the Jewish tribe, called Judean. When the Jewish kingdom collapsed in the 10th century BC, a territorial split also occurred. Two new states were formed: the Kingdom of Judah and the Kingdom of Israel. Later, these lands were independent only for short periods of time between attacks by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Romans.
History of Palestine
The end of ancient times and the beginning of our era was marked by the dawn and wars of conquest of the Roman state. Palestine, where large cities were located, culture, agriculture and cattle breeding were significantly developed, became a desirable territory for the empire. The Jewish population was persecuted from Judea, and the majority fled to Galilee.
In the seventh century, Palestine was conquered by the Arabs. The period of Egyptian rule in Palestine is significant. It was then that the Tatar-Mongol attack was successfully repelled, which undoubtedly saved the great shrines of both the Muslim and Christian worlds from destruction. The Egyptians also liberated these lands from the Crusaders.
Since the beginning of the 16th century, Palestine was part of the powerful Ottoman Empire. Christians and Jews were not killed or taken into slavery. However, they suffered significant oppression in religious and civil law. Therefore, the attempts of the Jews to gain freedom did not stop, although they did not bring success.
Jewish Palestine
At the end of the Ottoman Empire, a new political movement, Zionism, became increasingly widespread among Jews. One of the goals of this direction was the return of Jews to the lands where Palestine was located. It is not clear in which country the majority of the Jews were located at that time. Persecuted for centuries, the Jewish people found refuge in the countries of the Middle East and Europe. It is known that in 1936 the World Jewish Congress was formed, which included representatives of communities living in the Diaspora from 32 countries.
In 1922, the world community, concerned about surges of anti-Semitism, handed Britain a Mandate for Palestine to ensure control of Jewish migration. This caused a very negative response among the Arab population.
After World War II, when the population of Palestine was 33% Jewish, the UN decided to divide the territory into two parts.
Arab-Israeli conflict
Significant changes in territorial division began to occur in the second half of the 20th century. The Arabs opposed the creation of the Israeli state, and the Jews, in turn, wanted to conquer as much land as possible. The result was a division into Israel, the Palestinian National Authority, Transjordan and the Gaza Strip.
Where are Palestine and Israel currently located? The borders of these two states are not defined. They are still the subject of conflict between the Jewish and Arab populations of the Palestinian land.
Scientists claim that Palestine is a very ancient state. Archaeological finds that were discovered near the mountains of Kafar and Ramlya indicate that back in 7500. (BC) the state was fully socially developed and organized. Palestine is considered one of the most interesting and ancient civilizations. Scientists especially highlight the city of Jericho; it is still considered the most ancient city on earth.
History of Ancient Palestine
4-3 millennium (BC). The first settlers appear - the Canaanites. Palestine is the land of the Canaanites until 1200 BC.
In 1200, Cretan tribes settled in Palestine.
10th century BC - unification of Palestine with the kingdom of David and Solomon. Soon they split into Israel and Judah.
4th century BC, Alexander the Great conquers Palestine. Palestine later came under the influence of the Roman Empire, until 395.
634 Arabs come to the lands of Palestine and, after successful military operations, conquer Palestine and include it in the Arab Caliphate. Later, the Arab Caliphate fell and the government passed into the hands of Muslim states. In 1516, Palestine began to be considered part of the country until 1918. In 1923, Great Britain received the rights to rule Palestine and in the 19th century, the British authorities began active settlement, but conflicts began to flare up between the settlers and the indigenous inhabitants. Already in 1947, they decided to divide Palestine into an Arab and Jewish state and Jerusalem.
Israel and Palestine: the history of the conflict
The establishment of Israel dates back to 1948, when Israel began to be considered a separate state. The Arab government did not recognize the division of the land and declared military action. During the war, the territory was divided between Israel, Transjordan and Egypt. In June 1967, during the Arab-Israeli war, East Jerusalem and Gaza were occupied by Israel, and in 1980 East Jerusalem was officially named Israel. After which Palestinian groups began active military operations towards Israel.
There were many cases of terror against civilians. During multiple terrorist attacks and clashes with the Jordanian authorities, Palestinian terrorist organizations were completely expelled from the country. The headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organization was moved to , where it provoked a civil war.
The territories located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River are still the subject of heated disputes between Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews. Palestine appeared on the world map only in 1994. It occupies the Gaza Strip, parts of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Damascus and the Golan Heights, however, Palestine is generally considered to be a separate geographical territory, although not officially fully recognized as a state.
Given the location of Palestine, it is easy to guess that local attractions are traditional routes for millions of tourists from all over the world.
The Heart of Palestine – Jerusalem
Jerusalem became the heart of Palestine. It is quite difficult to understand how this city has stood the test of time for thousands of years. It is a holy city for Islam, Christianity and Judaism, while it is one of the oldest cities in the world in which life has not been interrupted for a moment. As evidenced by archaeological excavations, the history of the city began more than 5,000 years ago. Jerusalem also became home to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses the tomb of Christ.
The Old City of Jerusalem is one of the best preserved medieval Islamic cities in the world. It is divided into four main quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish. The old city became the cradle of many different cultures, reflected in the architecture and planning of the city and its sacred buildings, streets, markets and residential areas. Today, Jerusalem's living traditions continue.
In 1982, Jerusalem was included in the list of World Heritage Cities under threat from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Bethlehem - Homeland of the Son of God
Bethlehem is considered to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This city is of great importance not only for Christians, as the birthplace of the Messiah, but also for Muslims, although the latter see in it only one of the prophets. Anyone who visited Bethlehem during the Christmas holidays will never forget their impressions! The main street these days is Zvezda Street - one of the oldest streets in the city - it connects the Northern part of the Old Town with its Southern part. On the street are the historical Abu Jafar al-Mansura and the Bethlehem Folklore Museum, as well as the Greek Catholic Church, from which a religious procession begins - a parade dedicated to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
In 2012, the Church of the Nativity and the pilgrimage route in Bethlehem were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ramallah - temporary capital of Palestine
Ramallah landmark - Yasser Arafat memorial
The Arabs living in Palestine are confident that sooner or later the Eternal City of Jerusalem will become the capital of their country. In the meantime, it is the capital of neighboring Israel, with fast-growing and cosmopolitan Ramallah temporarily designated as the main city.
It has a pleasant and cool climate, which is why Ramallah has long been popular as a summer resort. In the twelfth century, the French Crusaders built a fortress here, and the remains of the Crusader tower, known as V-Tira, can still be seen in the old part of the city.
Modern Ramallah has a vibrant center, museums, art galleries, theaters, parks, hotels and restaurants, providing a bustling nightlife. There are good transport links and a wide range of varied tourist services. Tourists are welcome here, welcoming them kindly and hospitably.
Before leaving their capital, it is worth paying a visit to Arafat's grave. His resting place is also considered temporary by devout Muslims and awaits relocation to Jerusalem.
Winter Resort, Jericho
The location in a valley between the mountains and the temperate climate of Jericho have made this city popular for winter holidays. A local attraction is the “Citrus Gardens” - groves consisting of date and banana palms, as well as lemon, orange and tangerine trees. They grow all over the city like oases.
Among the attractions, the Monastery of Temptation (Deir Carantal), built in the 6th century on a steep cliff, deserves special attention. It is located on the site of the cave where, as legend says, Jesus Christ lived for 40 days after baptism, refusing food and drink and being subjected to the temptations of Satan.
The road to the monastery is extremely difficult, however, every year an increasing number of pilgrims climb here. Recently, a cable car was built to the foot of the monastery, one and a half kilometers long and a height difference of 200 meters. The windows of the trailers offer amazing views of Jericho, the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea.
Just a couple of kilometers north of Jericho is the Umayyad palace of Caliph Hisham. It is an excellent example of Islamic art and architecture from the eighth century.
Nablus - an example of traditional Palestinian architecture
By visiting Nablus you can understand what the traditional architecture of Palestine is. Seven city blocks centered around a bustling central market tell the city's unique story with mosques, Turkish baths and traditional soap factories.
It is in the souvenir shops of Nablus that you should buy olive soap and jewelry. Here you should not miss the opportunity to try itknafeh - a traditional Palestinian dessert made from cheese, semolina flour and rose syrup.
Sebastia - the ancient capital
About ten kilometers from Nablus is Sebastia, one of the main attractions of Palestine. According to archaeologists, already in the Iron Age the capital of Palestine was located here. The city did not lose its significance even during the reign of the Greeks and Romans.
The tradition of cultural continuity left the tomb of John the Baptist to descendants. Also located here is the Cathedral of John the Baptist, a Roman mausoleum, the Temple of Nabi Yahia and the Kayed Palace.
Hebron - a city that has preserved its face
After Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, Hebron is called the fourth holy city of Muslims around the world. This city is known as the burial place of the prophets Abraham (Ibrahim), Isaac and Jacob, as well as their wives.
The central shrine of the city is El Haaram, a fortress built over the Machpelah cave. Both Arabs and Jews pray there.
Gaza Strip
Gaza is one of the most ancient cities in the world. It is mentioned several times even in the Old Testament and by Greek historians. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Egypt, the city retains its territorial significance to this day.
Gaza is famous all over the world for its handmade carpets, citrus fruits are also grown here, and in addition, the city is famous for its fresh seafood, which can be enjoyed in the endless restaurants along the beach. Tourists can enjoy the pleasant Mediterranean breeze in numerous public parks.
National cuisine
Having visited Palestine, it is impossible to stay away from ethnic cuisine. Local delicacies include meat, poultry, flour, milk, cheese, vegetables and sweets.
- Falafel is a deep-fried pie filled with chickpeas or beans.
- Shawarma is a local fast food made from chopped pieces of lamb, goat, turkey, chicken, beef or a mixture thereof. It is usually served in pita bread.
- Musakhan-Tabun – bread topped with pieces of boiled sweet onion, saffron and allspice. Served with fried chicken.
- Macluba – casserole of rice, baked eggplant, cauliflower, carrots and chicken or lamb.
- Knafeh is a dessert baked from pieces of sweet noodles with honey and sweetened cheese, the top layer is poured with boiled sugar and sprinkled with chopped pistachios.
In addition to food, many exquisite restaurants provide the opportunity to get acquainted with national dances and songs.
Palestine Heritage Centers also offer a hands-on approach to learning about Palestinian culture. Here, in a warm atmosphere, you can sit in real Bedouin tents, wear authentic Bedouin clothes, drink aromatic tea or Arabic coffee and enjoy the Dabka dance.
The State of Palestine (Arabic دولة فلسطين, English State of Palestine) is currently in the process of creation. The formation of a Palestinian state is envisaged in the West Bank (or part of it, including the territory of East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. There are different proposals for the creation of a Palestinian state depending on the view of Palestinian statehood, as well as different definitions of Palestine as a territory.
The declaration of the State of Palestine took place on November 15, 1988 in Algeria at a session of the Palestinian National Council (the highest deliberative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization) - 253 votes in favor, 46 against and 10 people abstained from voting.
However, since 1994, when, in accordance with the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of September 13, 1993, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was created, the PLO leadership has maintained a kind of moratorium on declaring Palestinian independence without a final agreement with Israel, and officially calls itself the Palestinian National Authority. At the same time, the diplomatic missions of the PLO operate under the guise of the embassies of the State of Palestine.
In fact, to this day the State of Palestine has not been created and does not have real sovereignty. State structures are only partially formed (for example, there is no army, although there is a large police force and at the same time all kinds of paramilitary organizations are active). Much of the West Bank is controlled by the Israeli army, and East Jerusalem is annexed by Israel. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are two enclaves separated by Israeli territory, the first is controlled by supporters of Hamas, recognized in a number of countries as a terrorist organization, and the second by Fatah. Organizations are in a state of armed conflict among themselves. Each enclave has its own government.
Borders
According to Resolution 181 of the UN General Assembly of November 29, 1947, on the division of the British Mandate Territory of Palestine, two independent states were to be created on its territory - Jewish (State of Israel) and Arab, as well as Greater Jerusalem - a territory controlled by the UN. Each state was to consist of three territories bordering each other only at corners. The Arabs refused to accept the UN plan and did not recognize the fact of the self-proclamation of the Jewish state. On May 15, 1948, the armies of six Arab countries: Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Transjordan, Iraq and Egypt invaded the territory allocated by the UN for the future Jewish state from the north, east and south. As a result of the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, about half of the territories allocated for the Arab state, as well as West Jerusalem, came under the control of the state of Israel. The remaining Arab territories, as well as East Jerusalem, came under control