Book cover of Palestine by Nur Masalha

Nur Masalha

Palestine Summary

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How does a history spanning over 4,000 years of resilience and multiculturalism turn into a story of displacement and colonialism? The answer lies in understanding Palestine.

1. Ancient Origins of Palestine: The Philistines and Cana’an

Palestine's historical roots stretch back at least 3,200 years to the Late Bronze Age. The Philistines, an indigenous people, inhabited the area that would later bear their name. Archaeological discoveries, such as a 2017 graveyard near Ashkelon, confirmed the indigenous roots of the Philistines. Inscribed artifacts like “Peleset” further tied them to the region, contradicting theories that they were outsiders.

Textual records, including ancient Egyptian writings, reference the Philistines as neighbors and adversaries. This reinforces the notion that these people did not migrate but were intrinsically tied to the land. The claim that Palestine corresponds to biblical Cana’an often stems from political narratives rather than historical fact. Cana’an, a name for Phoenicia and modern-day Lebanon, is distinct from what came to be called Philistia and later Palestine.

The Philistine civilization thrived during the Iron Age, leaving behind intricate artwork, pottery, and advanced shipbuilding techniques. Cities such as Ghazzah (modern Gaza) were major hubs, thriving on trade networks with Egypt, Phoenicia, and Arabia. These cities cultivated a multicultural and polytheistic society, laying the groundwork for future Palestinian civilization.

Examples

  • The discovery of the “Peleset” inscriptions in a Philistine graveyard.
  • Egyptian records detailing neighboring Philistine civilizations.
  • Artifacts from Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod showing evidence of urban trade networks.

2. Palestine Under Greek and Roman Eras

By the fifth century BC, the term “Palestine” – derived from Philistia – became the most recognized name for the region. Greek historians like Herodotus and Aristotle lauded it as a land rich in trade and cultural diversity. The Greeks and later Romans cemented Palestine’s name and identity during their rule.

During Roman rule, Palestine’s multiculturalism flourished. A plethora of religions coexisted, including Judaism, early Christianity, and polytheistic faiths. Key cities such as Gaza became thriving economic centers, exporting products like olive oil and incense, which symbolized the region’s prosperity.

Despite its historical prominence, Jerusalem’s name nearly disappeared under Roman occupation. Renamed “Aelia Capitolina,” it became less significant politically but remained important spiritually to various groups. This period highlights how Palestine adapted to external rules while maintaining its identity.

Examples

  • Herodotus’s depiction of Palestine’s wealth and polytheistic culture.
  • The Roman renaming of Jerusalem to "Aelia Capitolina."
  • Extensive trade records showing Palestinian exports of wine, olive oil, and glassware.

3. Christianity Thrives in Byzantine Palestine

Christianity’s rise in the Byzantine era brought new developments to Palestine. The region gained three administrative sections, symbolizing the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity. These regions, united by religion and politics, were centers for global pilgrimage and intellectual exchange.

Byzantine Palestine boasted evolving cities like Caesarea Maritima. Known for its vibrant mix of religions and its famed Library of Caesarea, the city became a wellspring of learning. Palestinian education reached remote villages, preparing future rulers and thinkers.

Arab Christians also found positions of influence during this period. Important Arab families migrated to Palestine and integrated into its Byzantine administration. Centuries before Islam, these developments added to the region’s longstanding diversity.

Examples

  • Caesarea Maritima’s library, home to 30,000 manuscripts rivaling Alexandria's.
  • The Christian colonization of regions named Palestina Prima, Secunda, and Salutaris.
  • Migration of Christian Arabs from Yemen in the third century.

4. The Dawn of Islamic Palestine

The Muslim conquest in 637 AD ushered in a new chapter for Palestine. Arabic gradually replaced Aramaic as the dominant language, and Islam began to gain followers while coexistence among religions persisted. The Arabic name Filastin became the standard term for the area.

The urbanization of cities like Jerusalem soared. For Muslims, Jerusalem became a critical religious hub, symbolized through monumental constructions like the Dome of the Rock. The administrative and religious tolerance of the new rulers allowed the region to prosper.

Palestinian exports flourished during this period, from olive oil to soap. These products reached markets across Europe and the Middle East, fueling a vibrant economy previously unmatched.

Examples

  • The building of the Dome of the Rock in 691 AD.
  • Arabization facilitated by the linguistic closeness of Arabic and Aramaic.
  • Evidence of Palestinian olive oil and glass reaching Mediterranean markets.

5. Resistance to European Crusaders

The European Crusaders disrupted Palestine between the 12th and 13th centuries. However, the region’s Muslim rulers, led by Salah al-Din, eventually forced out the invaders. Victory allowed Jews and Muslims to return to cities like Jerusalem.

The Ayyubid rulers took steps to prevent future invasions. They removed defensive city walls, creating a unique urban expansion scenario. Inland centers such as Jerusalem rose in prominence, backed by innovations like running water systems.

The Mamluk dynasty’s stability fostered a construction renaissance. New bathhouses, mosques, and marketplaces gave cities like Jerusalem their iconic white stone architecture, much of which survives today.

Examples

  • Salah al-Din’s victory at the Battle of Hittin in 1187.
  • The construction of Hammam al-Ayn bathhouse, still existing in Jerusalem today.
  • Strategies like tearing down city walls to block Crusader siege tactics.

6. A Self-Governed Palestinian State in the 18th Century

Dhaher al-Umar al-Zaydani built the first autonomous Palestinian state by rallying peasants against Ottoman rule. His leadership reinvigorated Palestine economically and politically during its break from Ottoman neglect.

The cotton trade exploded during al-Zaydani’s rule, bringing unprecedented wealth to cities like Haifa. This industry connected Palestine with burgeoning European markets. Urban modernization projects and fair taxes transformed the region’s infrastructure into one of the most advanced locally controlled areas.

Despite historical erasures, this self-sufficient Palestinian state thrives as a forgotten chapter, pre-dating British colonial influences by a full century.

Examples

  • Dhaher al-Zaydani's military victories establishing sovereignty.
  • The rapid rise of Haifa as an urban center under al-Zaydani’s governance.
  • International cotton trade with England and France.

7. Early Palestinian National Identity

By the 19th century, Palestinian nationalism emerged as a response to colonial intentions. Newspapers like “Falastin” represented the feelings of pride and resistance growing from the heart of the local population.

As Palestine became seen as a stopover for European powers, British evangelicals and their Zionist allies laid groundwork for influence. The region’s indigenous Arab population began expressing unity against external forces.

This first wave of national identity was built on shared cultural and linguistic traits, uniting Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Arabs against colonialism.

Examples

  • Circulation of the nationalist newspaper “Falastin.”
  • British mapping expeditions signaling colonial ambitions in 1871.
  • Rising literacy rates fueling discussions in Palestinian civil society.

8. Zionism and the Myth of the “Land Without a People”

Zionism arose from European settler-colonial ideals, aiming to replace Palestinians with European Jews. The philosophy hinged on dismissing Palestinians as insignificant or nonexistent.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917, supported by British Christian Zionists, promised Palestine for Jewish settlement, ignoring its indigenous population entirely. This shift led to escalations in Palestinian resistance and heightened fractures between communities.

The Nakba in 1948 marked the violent reality of Zionism’s goals. Palestinian cities like Jaffa were depopulated, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

Examples

  • The Balfour Declaration drafted under Zionist lobbying.
  • Displacement of cities like Jaffa following Israel’s foundation.
  • British favoritism toward Zionist goals during the Mandate era.

9. Erasure and Preservation of Palestinian Heritage

After the Nakba, Israel undertook deliberate efforts to erase Palestinian heritage. This ranged from renaming cities and towns to the creation of Modern Hebrew, which adapted Arabic words while erasing their Palestinian origins.

Yet, Palestinians fought against historical erasure by preserving their culture through novels, archives, and films. Their national identity endures, rooted in centuries of historical continuity.

Palestinian resilience ensures that their contributions to the civilization of the region remain recognized, even in exile or under threat.

Examples

  • The Government Names Committee’s efforts to rename Palestinian locales.
  • Modern Hebrew originating from a mix of Arabic, Yiddish, and other European languages.
  • Cultural preservation through literature and activist media.

Takeaways

  1. Study the deeper history behind political conflicts to understand their complexity and human impact. Use multiple sources and perspectives.
  2. Challenge historical myths or narratives that are used to justify displacement or colonization – question and research their origins.
  3. Cultivate a habit of supporting indigenous peoples' rights and cultural preservation in the face of dispossession.

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