State of Palestine

Coordinates: 32°00′N 35°15′E / 32.000°N 35.250°E / 32.000; 35.250
Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State of Palestine
دولة فلسطين (Arabic)
Dawlat Filasṭīn
Anthem: "فدائي"
"Fida'i"[1]
"Fedayeen Warrior"
Territory claimed by Palestine (green).[2] Claimed territory annexed by Israel (light green).
Territory claimed by Palestine (green).[2]
Claimed territory annexed by Israel (light green).
StatusUN observer state under Israeli occupation
Recognized by 145 UN member states
  • Proclaimed capital
  • Administrative
    center
Official languagesArabic
Demonym(s)Palestinian
GovernmentUnitary semi-presidential republic[3]
• President
Mahmoud Abbas[b]
Mohammad Mustafa
Aziz Dweik
LegislatureNational Council
Formation
15 November 1988
29 November 2012
• Sovereignty dispute with Israel
Ongoing[c][4][5]
Area
• Total
6,020[6] km2 (2,320 sq mi) (163rd)
• Water (%)
3.5[7]
5,655 km2
365 km2[8]
Population
• 2023 estimate
5,483,450[9] (121st)
• Density
731/km2 (1,893.3/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2023 estimate
• Total
Increase $36.391 billion[10] (138th)
• Per capita
Increase $6,642[10] (140th)
GDP (nominal)2021 estimate
• Total
Increase $18.109 billion[10] (121st)
• Per capita
Increase $3,464[10] (131st)
Gini (2016)Positive decrease 33.7[11]
medium
HDI (2021)Increase 0.715[12]
high (106th)
Currency
Time zoneUTC+2 (Palestine Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+3 (Palestine Summer Time)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy
Driving sideright
Calling code+970
ISO 3166 codePS
Internet TLD.ps

Palestine (Arabic: فلسطين, romanizedFilasṭīn[d]), officially the State of Palestine (دولة فلسطين, Dawlat Filasṭīn),[e] is a partially recognized country in the southern Levant region of West Asia. It encompasses two disconnected territories — the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, collectively known as the Palestinian territories — within the larger region of Palestine. The country shares its borders with Israel to north, west and south, Jordan to the east and Egypt to the southwest. It has a combined land area of 6,020 square kilometres (2,320 sq mi) while its population exceeds five million people. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem while Ramallah serves as its administrative center and Gaza City was its largest city until massive population movements began in 2023 due to the Israeli invaison of the Gaza strip.[14][15] Arabic is the official language. The majority of Palestinians practice Islam while Christianity also has a significant presence.

The region of Palestine has played an important part in world history. The Canaanites, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines all left their mark on the land. In addition to its historical significance, Palestine holds profound religious importance for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Throughout history the region has experienced periods of coexistence and conflict between different religious and ethnic groups. Notably, during the Middle Ages, when Jewish communities faced persecution, they found refuge and protection under Muslim rule and the wider Islamic world. The Ottoman Empire, which controlled Palestine from the 16th century until its collapse at the end of World War I, provided a sanctuary for Jews fleeing persecution in Europe. The end of the Ottoman rule marked a new chapter in Palestine's history. Following World War I, the British Empire assumed control of the region under the League of Nations mandate. The British Mandate for Palestine, established in 1920, brought significant changes to the political and social landscape of the area, setting the stage for the conflicts and struggles that would follow.

The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was accompanied by a war which led to the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and created a large refugee population.[19] Subsequent Arab–Israeli wars, including the Six-Day War in 1967, resulted in the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. On 15th November 1988, Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Yasser Arafat, declared the establishment of the State. Signing of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, negotiated between Israel and the PLO, created the Palestinian Authority (PA) to exercise partial control over parts of Palestinian territories. In 2007, internal divisions between Palestinian political factions led to a takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas. Since then, the West Bank has been governed in part by the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah, while the Gaza Strip has remained under the control of Hamas. Israel has built settlements in both of the Palestinian territories since the start of the occupation. The settlements in the Gaza Strip were dismantled in Israel's unilateral disengagement in 2005, and approximately 670,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements in the West Bank. The international community considers Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.

Currently, the biggest challenges to the country include the Israeli occupation, partial blockade, restrictions on movement, expansion of Israeli settlements and settler violence, as well as an overall poor security situation. Unsolved remain the question of Palestine's borders, the legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem, and the return of Palestinian refugees. Despite these challenges, the country remains one of the most highly-educated countries in the Arab world, maintains an emerging economy, and sees frequent tourism. As of May 2024, Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 145 out of 193 member states of the United Nations. It is also a member of several international organizations, including the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It has been a non-member observer state of the United Nations since 2012.[20]

Etymology

Although the concept of the Palestine region and its geographical extent has varied throughout history, it is now considered to be composed by the modern State of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.[21] General use of the term "Palestine" or related terms to the area at the southeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea beside Syria has historically been taking place since the times of ancient Greece, with Herodotus being the first historian writing in the 5th century BC in The Histories of a "district of Syria, called Palaistine" in which Phoenicians interacted with other maritime peoples.[22][23] The term "Palestine" (in Latin, Palæstina) is thought to have been a term coined by the Ancient Greeks for the area of land occupied by the Philistines, although there are other explanations.[24]

Terminology

This article uses the terms "Palestine", "State of Palestine", "occupied Palestinian territory (oPt or OPT)" interchangeably depending on context. Specifically, the term "occupied Palestinian territory" refers as a whole to the geographical area of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. In all cases, any references to land or territory refer to land claimed by the State of Palestine.[25]

History

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as nationalist sentiments grew across the region, Palestinian Arab nationalism also began to emerge.[26] Intellectuals and elites in Palestine expressed a sense of identity and called for greater autonomy and self-governance.[27] This period coincided with the rise of the Young Turks movement within the Ottoman Empire, which introduced some political reforms but also faced opposition from various groups.[28] In the early 20th century, the Zionist movement gained momentum, aiming to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.[29][30] Jewish immigration increased, and Zionist organizations purchased land from local landowners, leading to tensions between Jews and Arabs.[31] Abdul Hamid, the last sultan of the Ottoman Empire, opposed the Zionist movement's efforts in Palestine. The end of the Ottoman Empire's rule in Palestine came with the conclusion of World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, the region came under British control with the implementation of the British Mandate for Palestine in 1920.[32][33]

British Mandate of Palestine

Pontifical Biblical Institute near King David Hotel

Under British rule, the history of Palestine witnessed significant political, social, and economic transformations.[34] The British Mandate for Palestine began in 1920 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.[34] The mandate was established under the League of Nations, with the objective of facilitating the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine while protecting the rights of the Arab population.[34]

During the initial years of the mandate, tensions between Jewish and Arab communities emerged. The British faced challenges in balancing the interests and demands of both groups. In 1936, a widespread Arab revolt erupted, demanding an end to Jewish immigration and land sales to Jewish settlers. The revolt was eventually suppressed by the British, leading to increased restrictions on both Arab and Jewish activities. As Jewish immigration continued, especially in the years leading up to and following World War II, the Zionist movement gained momentum. Jewish settlements expanded, and tensions between Jewish and Arab communities escalated. The White Paper was released by the British government, which rejected Peel Commission and proposed a unified Palestine as future country for both Arabs and Jews.[34] As a response and acceptance by Arabs, revolt was ceased.[34] However, Zionists refused to accept the plan and started protesting against the White Paper.[34] Military groups such as Irgun, Stern Gang and Haganah, started preparing for terror attacks.[35] These includes King David Hotel bombing, Deir Yassin massacre and Haifa Oil Refinery massacre.[36] Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, who later became political leaders in the state of Israel, were behind these attacks.[37][38] The British struggled to maintain control and peace, and in 1947, they decided to withdraw from Palestine.

Arab–Israeli wars

In 1947, the UN adopted a partition plan for a two-state solution in the remaining territory of the mandate. The plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership but rejected by the Arab leaders, and Britain refused to implement the plan. On the eve of final British withdrawal, the Jewish Agency for Israel, headed by David Ben-Gurion, declared the establishment of the State of Israel according to the proposed UN plan. The Arab Higher Committee did not declare a state of its own and instead, together with Transjordan, Egypt, and the other members of the Arab League of the time, commenced military action resulting in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. During the war, Israel gained additional territories that were designated to be part of the Arab state under the UN plan. Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip, and Transjordan occupied and then annexed the West Bank. Egypt initially supported the creation of an All-Palestine Government but disbanded it in 1959. Transjordan never recognized it and instead decided to incorporate the West Bank with its own territory to form Jordan. The annexation was ratified in 1950 but was rejected by the international community.

Yasser Arafat emerged as a national hero and leader for Palestinians.

In 1964, when the West Bank was controlled by Jordan, the Palestine Liberation Organization was established there with the goal to confront Israel. The Palestinian National Charter of the PLO defines the boundaries of Palestine as the whole remaining territory of the mandate, including Israel. The Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel fought against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, ended with Israel occupying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, besides other territories.[39][better source needed] Following the Six-Day War, the PLO moved to Jordan, but later relocated to Lebanon in 1971.[40][better source needed]

The October 1974 Arab League summit designated the PLO as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" and reaffirmed "their right to establish an independent state of urgency."[41] In November 1974, the PLO was recognized as competent on all matters concerning the question of Palestine by the UN General Assembly granting them observer status as a "non-state entity" at the UN.[42][43] Through the Camp David Accords of 1979, Egypt signaled an end to any claim of its own over the Gaza Strip. In July 1988, Jordan ceded its claims to the West Bank—with the exception of guardianship over Haram al-Sharif—to the PLO.

After Israel captured and occupied the West Bank from Jordan and Gaza Strip from Egypt, it began to establish Israeli settlements there. Administration of the Arab population of these territories was performed by the Israeli Civil Administration of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and by local municipal councils present since before the Israeli takeover. In 1980, Israel decided to freeze elections for these councils and to establish instead Village Leagues, whose officials were under Israeli influence. Later this model became ineffective for both Israel and the Palestinians, and the Village Leagues began to break up, with the last being the Hebron League, dissolved in February 1988.[44]

State of Palestine

In November 1988, the PLO legislature, while in exile, declared the establishment of the "State of Palestine". In the month following, it was quickly recognized by many states, including Egypt and Jordan. In the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, the State of Palestine is described as being established on the "Palestinian territory", without explicitly specifying further. After the 1988 Declaration of Independence, the UN General Assembly officially acknowledged the proclamation and decided to use the designation "Palestine" instead of "Palestine Liberation Organization" in the UN.[18][45] In spite of this decision, the PLO did not participate at the UN in its capacity of the State of Palestine's government.[46]

Because of this, some of the countries that recognised the State of Palestine in their statements of recognition refer to the "1967 borders", thus recognizing as its territory only the occupied Palestinian territory, and not Israel. The UN membership application submitted by the State of Palestine also specified that it is based on the "1967 borders".[2] During the negotiations of the Oslo Accords, the PLO recognised Israel's right to exist, and Israel recognised the PLO as representative of the Palestinian people. The 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence included a PNC call for multilateral negotiations on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 242 later known as "the Historic Compromise",[47] implying acceptance of a two-state solution and no longer questioning the legitimacy of the State of Israel.[48]

Bill Clinton, Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat during Oslo Accords

In 1993, in the Oslo Accords, Israel acknowledged the PLO negotiating team as "representing the Palestinian people", in return for the PLO recognizing Israel's right to exist in peace, acceptance of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and its rejection of "violence and terrorism".[49] As a result, in 1994 the PLO established the Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) territorial administration, that exercises some governmental functions[c] in parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.[58][59] As envisioned in the Oslo Accords, Israel allowed the PLO to establish interim administrative institutions in the Palestinian territories, which came in the form of the PNA. It was given civilian control in Area B and civilian and security control in Area A, and remained without involvement in Area C.

The Church of the Nativity at the city of Bethlehem in siege under Israel Defense Forces in 2002

The Second Intifada, which lasted from 2000 to 2005, was a period of intense conflict and violence between Israelis and Palestinians.[60] Despite the diplomatic efforts, the peace process suffered a severe setback in 1999 when negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the Camp David Summit failed to reach a final status agreement.[60] Disagreements over the issues of Jerusalem, borders, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees proved insurmountable.[60] Following the failure of the Camp David Summit in 2000, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians escalated dramatically.[60] In September 2000, the Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, erupted.[60] The Second Intifada was characterized by a wave of violence, including suicide bombings, shootings, and Israeli military responses, resulting in a high number of casualties on both sides.[60]

Efforts to revive the peace process continued, including the convening of the Taba Summit in January 2001. Although progress was made, negotiations eventually broke down due to the escalating violence and political changes in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership. In 2002, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield, a major military incursion into Palestinian cities in response to the ongoing violence.[61] The operation aimed to dismantle Palestinian militant infrastructure and restore security.[62] However, it resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. Israel implemented stringent security measures, including checkpoints, curfews, and the construction of a separation barrier, to curb the attacks.[63] These measures, while intended to enhance security, also led to restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, economic hardship, and the exacerbation of humanitarian conditions.

Efforts to mediate a ceasefire and resume peace negotiations were ongoing throughout this period. International actors, including the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union, made attempts to broker a truce and revive the peace process. However, these efforts faced significant challenges, including the deep-seated distrust, the escalation of violence, and the inability to address the core issues of the conflict. During this period, international efforts to revive the peace process gained momentum. The Quartet on the Middle East, consisting of the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, proposed the Roadmap for Peace in 2003. The roadmap outlined a series of steps towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. However, the implementation of the roadmap faced significant challenges, and progress remained limited.

Post-Arafat period

In 2004, Arafat's health deteriorated, and he was confined to his headquarters in Ramallah by Israeli authorities.[64][65] In November 2004, Yasser Arafat died, marking the end of an era for the Palestinian national movement.[66][67] Following Arafat's death, Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, assumed leadership of the Palestinian Authority.[68][69] Abbas advocated for a negotiated settlement with Israel and worked towards a ceasefire agreement, leading to a relative decrease in violence. On March 22, 2004, Ahmed Yassin was assassinated in an airstrike carried out by the Israeli military.[70] The assassination of Ahmed Yassin had profound implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the dynamics of the region.[71] Hamas, under Yassin's leadership, was a powerful and influential force in Palestinian politics.[72] Yassin's assassination not only removed a key figurehead of the organization but also galvanized support for Hamas.[citation needed] The act of targeting a prominent figure like Yassin also demonstrated Israel's willingness to employ targeted killings as a tactic, which further escalated the conflict and complicated efforts for peace.

In 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, withdrawing its military forces and dismantling settlements. The move was seen as a step towards Palestinian self-governance and the potential for progress. However, the withdrawal did not lead to a significant improvement in the overall situation, as Gaza soon fell under the control of the militant group Hamas. In 2005, following the implementation of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan, the PNA gained full control of the Gaza Strip with the exception of its borders, airspace, and territorial waters.[c]

Demonstration against road block, Kafr Qaddum, March 2012

Internal divisions between the two main Palestinian political factions, Fatah and Hamas, intensified during this period.[73] In 2006, Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections, leading to a political standoff with Fatah.[74] The power struggle eventually escalated into armed clashes and resulted in a split between the West Bank, governed by Fatah and the Palestinian Authority, and the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas.[74] The division between the West Bank and Gaza complicated efforts to achieve Palestinian unity and negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel. Multiple rounds of reconciliation talks were held, but no lasting agreement was reached. The division also hindered the establishment of a unified Palestinian state and led to different governance structures and policies in the two territories.[75] Throughout this period, there were sporadic outbreaks of violence and tensions between Palestinians and Israelis. Since 2001, Incidents of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli territory and Israeli military operations in response often resulted in casualties and further strained the situation.[76] Following the inter-Palestinian conflict in 2006, Hamas took over control of the Gaza Strip (it already had majority in the PLC), and Fatah took control of the West Bank. From 2007, the Gaza Strip was governed by Hamas, and the West Bank by the Fatah party led Palestinian Authority.[77] International efforts to revive the peace process continued. The United States, under the leadership of different administrations, made various attempts to broker negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.[78] However, significant obstacles such as settlement expansion, the status of Jerusalem, borders, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees, remained unresolved.[79][80][81][82] In recent years, diplomatic initiatives have emerged, including the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, known as the Abraham Accords.[83] These agreements, while not directly addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have reshaped regional dynamics and raised questions about the future of Palestinian aspirations for statehood.[84][85] The status quo remains challenging for Palestinians, with ongoing issues of occupation, settlement expansion, restricted movement, and economic hardships.[86] Efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue, but the path towards a comprehensive peace agreement and the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state remains uncertain.

A modern day city scene across Jerusalem, with view of Temple Mount and Al Aqsa

Geography

Dead Sea bordering Palestine is the lowest point on earth
Jordan River is the site of baptism of Jesus

The areas claimed by the State of Palestine lie in the Southern Levant. The Gaza Strip borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Egypt to the south, and Israel to the north and east. The West Bank is bordered by Jordan to the east, and Israel to the north, south, and west. Thus, the two enclaves constituting the area claimed by State of Palestine have no geographical border with one another, being separated by Israel. These areas would constitute the world's 163rd largest country by land area.[6][87][88][better source needed]

Mount Gerizim around Nablus is a holy place for Samaritans

The West Bank is located on the western side of the Jordan River and is characterized by a diverse landscape. It consists of fertile valleys, such as the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan River Valley, as well as mountainous areas, including the Samarian and Judean mountain ranges.[89] East Jerusalem, a part of the West Bank, is a significant component of the Palestinian territories. It is located on a plateau in the central highlands and is surrounded by valleys. The Old City of Jerusalem, with its historical and religious sites, is centrally located within East Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip is a small coastal enclave located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

Palestine has a number of environmental issues; issues facing the Gaza Strip include desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne diseases; soil degradation; and depletion and contamination of underground water resources. In the West Bank, many of the same issues apply; although fresh water is much more plentiful, access is restricted by the ongoing dispute.[90]

The Samarian Hills and Judean Hills are mountain ranges in the West Bank, with Mount Gerizim and Mount Hebron as their highest peaks.[91] The Mount of Olives (Jabal Zaytun) is a significant hill east of Jerusalem, known for its religious sites.[92] Mount Carmel extends into the northern West Bank and is renowned for its natural beauty.[93] Three terrestrial ecoregions are found in the area: Eastern Mediterranean conifer–sclerophyllous–broadleaf forests, Arabian Desert, and Mesopotamian shrub desert.[94] Palestine features significant lakes and rivers that play a vital role in its geography and ecosystems.[95] The Jordan River flows southward, forming part of Palestine's eastern border and passing through the Sea of Galilee before reaching the Dead Sea.[96] These waterways provide essential resources for agriculture, recreation, and support various ecosystems.[95]

Climate

Temperatures in Palestine vary widely. The climate in the West Bank is mostly Mediterranean, slightly cooler at elevated areas compared with the shoreline, west to the area. In the east, the West Bank includes much of the Judean Desert including the western shoreline of the Dead Sea, characterised by dry and hot climate. Gaza has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh) with mild winters and dry hot summers.[citation needed] Spring arrives around March–April and the hottest months are July and August, with the average high being 33 °C (91 °F). The coldest month is January with temperatures usually at 7 °C (45 °F). Rain is scarce and generally falls between November and March, with annual precipitation rates approximately at 4.57 inches (116 mm).[97]

Biodiversity

Camels on Judaean Desert

Palestine does not have officially recognized national parks or protected areas. However, there are areas within the West Bank that are considered to have ecological and cultural significance and are being managed with conservation efforts. These areas are often referred to as nature reserves or protected zones. Located near Jericho in the West Bank, Wadi Qelt is a desert valley with unique flora and fauna.

The reserve is known for its rugged landscapes, natural springs, and historical sites such as the St. George Monastery.[98] Efforts have been made to protect the biodiversity and natural beauty of the area.[99] The Judaean Desert is popular for "Judaean Camels". Qalqilya Zoo in Qalqilya Governorate, is the only zoo currently active in the country. Gaza Zoo was closed due to poor conditions. Israeli government have built various national parks in the Area C, which is also considered illegal under international law.

Government and politics

Mausoleum of Yasser Arafat at the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in Ramallah

Palestine is a semi-presidential country. The country consists of the institutions that are associated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which includes President of the State of Palestine[100][b] – appointed by the Palestinian Central Council,[103] Palestinian National Council – the legislature that established the State of Palestine[3] and Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization – performs the functions of a government in exile,[101][102][104][105] maintaining an extensive foreign-relations network. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is combination of several political parties.

These should be distinguished from the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and PNA Cabinet, all of which are instead associated with the Palestinian National Authority. The State of Palestine's founding document is the Palestinian Declaration of Independence,[3] and it should be distinguished from the unrelated PLO Palestinian National Covenant and PNA Palestine Basic Law.

The Palestinian government is divided into two geographic entities — the Palestinian Authority governed by Fatah and have control over the territory of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which is under control of the militant group Hamas.[106][107] Fatah is a secular party, which was founded by Yasser Arafat and relatively enjoys good relations with the western powers. On other hand, Hamas is a militant group, based on Palestinian nationalist and Islamic ideology, inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood.[108][109] Hamas has tense relations with the United States, but receives support from Iran. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is another popular secular party, which was founded by George Habash. Mahmoud Abbas is the president of the country since 2005.[110] Mohammad Shtayyeh was the prime minister of Palestine, who resigned in 2024.[111] In 2024, Mohammad Mustafa was appointed as the new prime minister of the country, after resigning of Shtayyeh.[112] While Yahya Sinwar is leader of Hamas government in the Gaza Strip.[113] According to Freedom House, the PNA governs Palestine in an authoritarian manner, including by repressing activists and journalists critical of the government.[114]

Jerusalem including Haram ash-Sharif, is claimed as capital by Palestine, which has been under occupation by Israel.[115] Currently the temporary administration center is in Ramallah, which is 10 km from Jerusalem.[116] Muqata hosts state ministries and representative office.[117] The former building Gaza was destroyed in 2009 war.[118] In 2000, a government building was built in Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis, to house office of Yasser Arafat and Palestinian parliament.[119] Since second intifada, condition of the town made this site unsuitable to operate as a capital, either temporarily or permanently.[120] Nevertheless, the Palestinian entity have maintained their presence in the city. As few parts of the city is also under Palestinian control and many some countries have their consulates in Jerusalem.

Map of the Palestinian Governorates (official)
Map of showing Palestinian controlled areas

Law and security

The State of Palestine has a number of security forces, including a Civil Police Force, National Security Forces and Intelligence Services, with the function of maintaining security and protecting Palestinian citizens and the Palestinian State. All of these forces are part of Palestinian Security Services. The PSF is primarily responsible for maintaining internal security, law enforcement, and counterterrorism operations in areas under Palestinian Authority control.[121]

The Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA) is the standing army of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).[122] It was established during the early years of the Palestinian national movement but has largely been inactive since the Oslo Accords.[123] The PLA's role was intended to be a conventional military force but has shifted to a more symbolic and political role.[124] There are various armed factions within Palestine, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip and other smaller groups.[125] These factions have their own armed wings (Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Al Quds Brigades) and maintain paramilitary capabilities.[126] They primarily focus on resistance activities against Israeli occupation and have engaged in armed conflicts with Israel in the past.[127]

The military capabilities of Palestine are significantly limited compared to the Israeli army (IDF).[128] The Oslo Accords and subsequent agreements have placed restrictions on the size and armament of Palestinian security forces.[129][130] The PA's security forces primarily focus on internal security rather than conventional military operations.[131]

Administrative divisions

The State of Palestine is divided into sixteen administrative divisions.

Map of Israeli settlements in the West Bank

The governorates in the West Bank are grouped into three areas per the Oslo II Accord. Area A forms 18% of the West Bank by area, and is administered by the Palestinian government.[132][133] Area B forms 22% of the West Bank, and is under Palestinian civil control, and joint Israeli-Palestinian security control.[132][133] Area C, except East Jerusalem, forms 60% of the West Bank, and is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration, however, the Palestinian government provides the education and medical services to the 150,000 Palestinians in the area,[132] an arrangement agreed upon in the Oslo II accord by Israeli and Palestinian leadership. More than 99% of Area C is off limits to Palestinians, due to security concerns and is a point of ongoing negotiation.[134][135] There are about 330,000 Israelis living in settlements in Area C.[136] Although Area C is under martial law, Israelis living there are entitled to full civic rights.[137] Palestinian enclaves currently under Palestinian administration in red (Areas A and B; not including Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas rule).

East Jerusalem (comprising the small pre-1967 Jordanian eastern-sector Jerusalem municipality together with a significant area of the pre-1967 West Bank demarcated by Israel in 1967) is administered as part of the Jerusalem District of Israel but is claimed by Palestine as part of the Jerusalem Governorate. It was effectively annexed by Israel in 1967, by application of Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration under a 1948 law amended for the purpose, this purported annexation being constitutionally reaffirmed (by implication) in Basic Law: Jerusalem 1980,[132] but this annexation is not recognised by any other country.[138] In 2010 of the 456,000 people in East Jerusalem, roughly 60% were Palestinians and 40% were Israelis.[132][139] However, since the late 2000s, Israel's West Bank Security Barrier has effectively re-annexed tens of thousands of Palestinians bearing Israeli ID cards to the West Bank, leaving East Jerusalem within the barrier with a small Israeli majority (60%).[citation needed] Under Oslo Accords, Jerusalem was proposed to be included in future negotiations and according to Israel, Oslo Accords prohibits the Palestinian Authority to operates in Jerusalem. However, certain parts of Jerusalem, those neighborhoods which are located outside the historic Old City but are part of East Jerusalem, were allotted to the Palestinian Authority.[140]

A map showing governorates of Palestine
Name Area (km2)[141] Population Density (per km2) Muhafazah (district capital)
Jenin 583 311,231 533.8 Jenin
Tubas 402 64,719 161.0 Tubas
Tulkarm 246 182,053 740.0 Tulkarm
Nablus 605 380,961 629.7 Nablus
Qalqiliya 166 110,800 667.5 Qalqilya
Salfit 204 70,727 346.7 Salfit
Ramallah & Al-Bireh 855 348,110 407.1 Ramallah
Jericho & Al Aghwar 593 52,154 87.9 Jericho
Jerusalem 345 419,108a 1214.8[i] Jerusalem (see Status of Jerusalem)
Bethlehem 659 216,114 927.9 Bethlehem
Hebron 997 706,508 708.6 Hebron
North Gaza 61 362,772 5947.1 Jabalya[citation needed]
Gaza 74 625,824 8457.1 Gaza City
Deir Al-Balah 58 264,455 4559.6 Deir al-Balah
Khan Yunis 108 341,393 3161.0 Khan Yunis
Rafah 64 225,538 3524.0 Rafah
  1. ^ Data from Jerusalem includes occupied East Jerusalem with its Israeli population

Foreign relations

Belgian Consulate to Palestine in Jerusalem

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) represents the State of Palestine and maintains embassies in countries that recognize it. The PLO also participates in international organizations as a member, associate, or observer. In some cases, due to conflicting sources, it is difficult to determine if the participation is on behalf of the State of Palestine, the PLO as a non-state entity, or the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). A majority of Arab and Muslim countries, including Algeria, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen have supported the country, due to religious and cultural relations. Egypt and Jordan, apart from supporting, have also signed peace treaties with Israel. Egypt and Qatar acts as a mediator between Hamas controlled Gaza and Israel.[142][143] Countries like India and Republic of Ireland have strongly showed support of an independent Palestine, coexisting with Israel.[144][145]

President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, inaugurating ICT center at Al-Quds University, Jerusalem in 2015

In 1988, the State of Palestine's declaration of independence was acknowledged by the General Assembly with Resolution 43/177.[146] In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 67/19, granting Palestine "non-member observer state" status, effectively recognizing it as a sovereign state.[147][148][149] Sweden took a significant step in 2013 by upgrading the status of the Palestinian representative office to a full embassy. They became the first EU member state outside the former communist bloc to officially recognize the state of Palestine.[150][151][152]

The UK House of Commons voted in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state in 2014, as a contribution towards achieving a negotiated two-state solution.[153] However, the UK government maintained its policy of reserving the right to recognize Palestine bilaterally at a more opportune time for peace efforts.[154] Similarly, in 2014, the French parliament passed a resolution urging their government to recognize Palestine as a state, with the intention of facilitating a definitive resolution to the conflict.[155] A United Nations Security Council resolution proposed in 2014, calling for the end of Israeli occupation and statehood by 2017, did not pass due to opposition and abstentions.[156][157][158][159]

In January 2015, the International Criminal Court affirmed Palestine's "State" status after its UN observer recognition,[160] a move condemned by Israeli leaders as a form of “diplomatic terrorism.” [161]The Vatican shifted recognition to the State of Palestine in May 2015, following the 2012 UN vote.[162] This change aligned with the Holy See's evolving position.[163] In December 2015, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources in the occupied territories. It called on Israel to cease exploitation and damage while granting Palestinians the right to seek restitution.[164] Currently, 139 UN member states (72%) recognize the State of Palestine. Though some do not recognize it, they acknowledge the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people. The PLO's executive committee acts as the government, empowered by the PNC.[165] Palestine is a member of the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, the G77, the International Olympic Committee and the Union for the Mediterranean.

Legal status

There are a wide variety of views regarding the status of the State of Palestine, both among the states of the international community and among legal scholars.[166] The existence of a state of Palestine, although controversial,[167] is a reality in the opinions of the states that have established bilateral diplomatic relations.[168]

Raising the flag at the UN

In August 2015, Palestine's representatives at the UN presented a draft resolution that would allow the non-member observer states Palestine and the Holy See to raise their flags at the United Nations headquarters. Initially, the Palestinians presented their initiative as a joint effort with the Holy See, which the Holy See denied.[169]

In a letter to the Secretary General and the President of the General Assembly, Israel's Ambassador at the UN Ron Prosor called the step "another cynical misuse of the UN ... in order to score political points".[170]

After the vote, which was passed by 119 votes to 8 with 45 countries abstaining,[171][172][173] the US Ambassador Samantha Power said that "raising the Palestinian flag will not bring Israelis and Palestinians any closer together".[174] US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner called it a "counterproductive" attempt to pursue statehood claims outside of a negotiated settlement.[175]

At the ceremony itself, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the occasion was a "day of pride for the Palestinian people around the world, a day of hope",[176] and declared "Now is the time to restore confidence by both Israelis and Palestinians for a peaceful settlement and, at last, the realization of two states for two peoples."[171]

International recognition

  State of Palestine
  Countries that have recognised the State of Palestine
  Countries that have not recognised the State of Palestine

The State of Palestine has been recognized by 145 of the 193 UN members and since 2012 has had a status of a non-member observer state in the United Nations.[177][178][179]

On 29 November 2012, in a 138–9 vote (with 41 abstentions and 5 absences),[180] the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 67/19, upgrading Palestine from an "observer entity" to a "non-member observer state" within the United Nations System, which was described as recognition of the PLO's sovereignty.[178][179][181][101][149] Palestine's new status is equivalent to that of the Holy See.[182] The UN has permitted Palestine to title its representative office to the UN as "The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations",[183] and Palestine has instructed its diplomats to officially represent "The State of Palestine"—no longer the Palestinian National Authority.[149] On 17 December 2012, UN Chief of Protocol Yeocheol Yoon declared that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents",[184] thus recognising the title 'State of Palestine' as the state's official name for all UN purposes; on 21 December 2012, a UN memorandum discussed appropriate terminology to be used following GA 67/19. It was noted therein that there was no legal impediment to using the designation Palestine to refer to the geographical area of the Palestinian territory. At the same time, it was explained that there was also no bar to the continued use of the term "Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem" or such other terminology as might customarily be used by the Assembly.[185] As of 28 May 2024, 145 (75.1%) of the 193 member states of the United Nations have recognised the State of Palestine.[101][186] Many of the countries that do not recognise the State of Palestine nevertheless recognise the PLO as the "representative of the Palestinian people". The PLO's Executive Committee is empowered by the Palestinian National Council to perform the functions of government of the State of Palestine.[102]

On 2 April 2024, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, requested that the Security Council consider a renewed application for membership, supported by the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the 120-member Nonaligned Movement. As of April, seven of the council's 15 members recognize the state of Palestine but the US has indicated that it opposes the request and in addition, US law stipulates that US funding for the UN would be cut off in the event of full recognition without an Israeli-Palestinian agreement.[187] On 18 April, the US vetoed a widely supported UN resolution that would have admitted Palestine as a full UN member.[188][189][190]

Economy

Construction of Rawabi Industrial area and some of the neighborhoods
Ammar Tower in Al-Bireh

Palestine is classified as a middle income and developing country by the IMF. In 2023, GDP of the country was $40 billion and per-capita around $4,500. Due to its disputed status, the economic condition have been affected.[191][192][193] The CO2 Emission (metric tons per capita) was 0.6 in 2010. According to a survey of 2011, Palestine's poverty rate was 25.8%. According to a new World Bank report, Palestinian economic growth is expected to soften in 2023. Economy of Palestine relies heavily on international aids, remittances by overseas Palestinians and local industries.[194]

Since 1970s, Palestinians were employed in Israel.[195] During this period, the Palestinian economy was significantly greater than the majority of Arab states.[195] The period between 1993 and 2000, known as "Oslo Years", brought a great prosperity to the country.[195] In 1998, the Palestinian Authority built Gaza International Airport.[196] Signed in 1994, the Paris Protocols however have prohibited the country from having its own currency.[195] The 2000–2005 uprisings severely affected the economy and destroyed the national infrastructure.[195] After victory of Hamas, sanctions were imposed , which was lifted up later.[195] Since 2007, Israel have blockaded the Gaza Strip. In 2008, Salam Fayyad became the prime minister and instituted reforms, which improved the economy.[195] Since 2010, Palestine experienced a moderate economic boom.[197] The Gaza Strip was also recovering slightly until it was crashed in the 2023 war.

Palestinian economy relies heavily on donations and international aid from various sources, including UNRWA, Qatar, Turkey, the European Union, and non-governmental organizations.[198][199] Contribution to the economy also comes from remittances sent by the Palestinian diaspora.[200][201] Gazans experience additional difficulties as they are subjected to a siege, with Israel controlling the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza. Nonetheless, there are limited business opportunities available in Gaza. Contrastingly, the West Bank provides Palestinians with more diverse opportunities.[202] Some individuals own businesses in tourism-driven areas such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem, as tourism serves as a significant source of income.[203][204] Others engage in various types of enterprises in cities like Ramallah and Hebron, ranging from trading to construction and IT services.[205][206] Furthermore, approximately 100,000 Palestinians find employment in Israeli companies as low-cost labor, earning significantly less than the average Israeli worker.

Agriculture

After Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, Palestinian agriculture suffered significant setbacks.[207] The sector's contribution to the GDP declined, and the agricultural labor force decreased.[207] The cultivated areas in the West Bank continuously declined since 1967.[207] Palestinian farmers face obstacles in marketing and distributing their products, and Israeli restrictions on water usage have severely affected Palestinian agriculture.[207] Over 85% of Palestinian water from the West Bank aquifers is used by Israel, and Palestinians are denied access to water resources from the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers.[207]

In Gaza, the coastal aquifer is suffering from saltwater intrusion.[207] Israeli restrictions have limited irrigation of Palestinian land, with only 6% of West Bank land cultivated by Palestinians being irrigated, while Israeli settlers irrigate around 70% of their land.[207] The Gulf War in 1991 had severe repercussions on Palestinian agriculture, as the majority of exports were previously sent to Arab Gulf countries.[207] Palestinian exports to the Gulf States declined by 14% as a result of the war, causing a significant economic impact.[207]

Water supply and sanitation

Water supply and sanitation in the Palestinian territories are characterized by severe water shortage and are highly influenced by the Israeli occupation. The water resources of Palestine are partially controlled by Israel due in part from historical and geographical complexities with Israel granting partial autonomy in 2017.[208] The division of groundwater is subject to provisions in the Oslo II Accord, agreed upon by both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.[citation needed] Israel provides the Palestinain territories water from its own water supply and desalinated water supplies, in 2012 supplying 52 MCM.[209][210]

Generally, the water quality is considerably worse in the Gaza Strip when compared to the West Bank. About a third to half of the delivered water in the Palestinian territories is lost in the distribution network. The lasting blockade of the Gaza Strip and the Gaza War have caused severe damage to the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.[211][212] Concerning wastewater, the existing treatment plants do not have the capacity to treat all of the produced wastewater, causing severe water pollution.[213] The development of the sector highly depends on external financing.[214]

Manufacturing

Manufacturing and exports in Palestine includes sectors such as textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, furniture, plastic products, stone, and electronics.[215] Some notable products are garments, olive oil, dairy products, furniture, ceramics, and construction materials.[216] Before the second intifada, Palestine had a strong industrial base in Jerusalem and Gaza. Barriers erected in the West Bank have made movement of goods difficult; the blockade of the Gaza Strip has severely affected the territory's economic conditions. As of 2023, according to the Ministry of Economy, the manufacturing sector expected to grow by 2.5% and create 79,000 jobs over the following six years.[217] Palestine mainly exports articles of stone (limestone, marble – 13.3%), furniture (11.7%), plastics (10.2%) and iron and steel (9.1%). Most of these products are exported to Jordan, the United States, Israel and Egypt.

Hebron is industrially most advanced city in the region and serves as an export hub for Palestinian products. More than 40% of the national economy produced there.[218] The most advanced printing press in the Middle East is in Hebron.[218] Many quarries are in the surrounding region.[219] Silicon reserves are found in the Gaza territory. Jerusalem stone, extracted in the West Bank, has been used for constructing many structures in Jerusalem. Hebron is widely known for its glass production. Nablus is noted for its Nablus soap. Some of the companies operating in the Palestinian territories include Siniora Foods, Sinokrot Industries, Schneider Electric, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.[220]

Israeli–Palestinian economic peace efforts have resulted in several initiatives, such as the Valley of Peace initiative and Breaking the Impasse, which promote industrial projects between Israel, Palestine and other Arab countries, with the goal of promoting peace and ending conflict.[221] These include joint industrial parks opened in Palestine. The Palestinian Authority has built industrial cities in Gaza, Bethlehem, Jericho, Jenin and Hebron. Some are in joint cooperation with European countries.[222]

Energy

A solar plant in Jericho

Palestine does not produces its own oil or gas. But as per UN reports, "sizeable reserves of oil and gas" lies in the Palestinian territories. Due to its state of conflict, most of the energy and fuels in Palestine are imported from Israel and other all neighboring countries such as Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

In 2012, electricity available in West Bank and Gaza was 5,370 GW-hour (3,700 in the West Bank and 1,670 in Gaza), while the annual per capita consumption of electricity (after deducting transmission loss) was 950 kWh. The Gaza Power Plant is the only power plant in the Gaza Strip. It is owned by Gaza Power Generating Company (GPGC), a subsidiary of the Palestine Electric Company (PEC). Jerusalem District Electricity Company, a subsidiary of PEC, provides electricity to Palestinan residents of Jerusalem.

Government officials have increasingly focused on solar energy to reduce dependency on Israel for energy. Palestine Investment Fund have launched "Noor Palestine", a project which aims to provide power in Palestine.[223] Qudra Energy, a joint venture between Bank of Palestine and NAPCO have established solar power plants across Jammala, Nablus, Birzeit and Ramallah.[224] In 2019, under Noor Palestine campaign, first solar power plant and solar park was inaugurated in Jenin. Two more solar parks have been planned for Jericho and Tubas.[225] A new solar power plant is under construction at Abu Dis campus of Al-Quds University, for serving Palestinian Jerusalemites.[226]

Oil and gas

Palestine holds massive potential reserves of oil and gas.[227] Over 3 billion barrels (480,000,000 m3) of oil are estimated to exist off the coast and beneath occupied Palestinian lands.[227][228] The Levant Basin holds around 1.7 billion barrels (270,000,000 m3) of oil, with another 1.5 billion barrels (240,000,000 m3) barrels beneath the occupied West Bank area.[228] Around 2 billion barrels (320,000,000 m3) of oil reserves are believed to exist in shore of the Gaza Strip.[228][229] According to a report by the UNCTAD, around 1,250 billion barrels (1.99×1011 m3) of oil reserves are in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank, probably the Meged oil field. As per the Palestinian Authority, 80% of this oil field falls under the lands owned by Palestinians.

Masadder, a subsidiary of the Palestine Investment Fund is developing the oilfield in the West Bank.[229] Block-1 field, which spans an area of 432 square kilometres (167 sq mi) from northwest Ramallah to Qalqilya in Palestine, has significant potential for recoverable hydrocarbon resources.[229][230] It is estimated to have a P90 (a level of certainty) of 0.03 billion barrels (4,800,000 m3) of recoverable oil and 6,000,000,000 cubic feet (170,000,000 m3).[229] The estimated cost for the development of the field is $390 million, and it will be carried out under a production sharing agreement with the Government of Palestine.[229][231][232] Currently, an initial pre-exploration work program is underway to prepare for designing an exploration plan for approval, which will precede the full-fledged development of the field.[229]

Natural gas in Palestine is mostly found in Gaza Strip.[231] Gaza Marine is a natural gas field, located around 32 kilometres (20 mi) from the coast of the territory in the Mediterranean shore.[233] It holds gas reserves ranging between 28 billion cubic metres (990 billion cubic feet) to 32 billion cubic metres (1.1 trillion cubic feet).[234] These estimates far exceed the needs of the Palestinian territories in energy.[235] The gas field was discovered by the British Gas Group in 1999.[236] Upon the discovery of the gas field, it was lauded by Yasser Arafat as a "Gift from God". A regional cooperation between the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Egypt were signed for developing the field and Hamas also gave approval to the Palestinian Authority.[237][238] However, since the ongoing war in Gaza, this project have been delayed.[238]

Transportation

A multilingual signboard in Hebron Governorate

Two airports of Palestine — Jerusalem International Airport and Gaza International Airport were destroyed by Israel in the early years of the second intifada.[239] Since then no any airport has been operational in the country. Palestinians used to travel through airports in Israel — Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport and Queen Alia International Airport of Amman, capital of Jordan. Many proposals have been made by both the government and private entities to build airports in the country. In 2021, the most recent proposal was made by both the Palestinian government and Israeli government to redevelop Qalandia Airport as a binational airport for both Israelis and Palestinians.[240]

Gaza Strip is the only coastal region of Palestine, where Port of Gaza is located. It is under naval siege by Israel, since the territory's blockade. During Oslo years, the Palestinian government collaborated with the Netherlands and France to build an international seaport but the project was abandoned. In 2021, then prime minister of Israel Naftali Bennett launched a development project for Gaza, which would include a seaport.[241]

Tourism

Al Deira Hotel in Gaza, before the 2023 Israel Hamas war
Jerusalem is holy for world's three major religions — Christianity, Islam and Judaism, as well as for Mandaeism

Tourism in the country refers to tourism in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In 2010, 4.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories, compared to 2.6 million in 2009. Of that number, 2.2 million were foreign tourists while 2.7 million were domestic.[242] Most tourists come for only a few hours or as part of a day trip itinerary. In the last quarter of 2012 over 150,000 guests stayed in West Bank hotels; 40% were European and 9% were from the United States and Canada.[243] Lonely Planet travel guide writes that "the West Bank is not the easiest place in which to travel but the effort is richly rewarded."[244] Sacred sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque draw countless pilgrims and visitors each year.

In 2013 Palestinian Authority Tourism minister Rula Ma'ay'a stated that her government aims to encourage international visits to Palestine, but the occupation is the main factor preventing the tourism sector from becoming a major income source to Palestinians.[245] There are no visa conditions imposed on foreign nationals other than those imposed by the visa policy of Israel. Access to Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza is completely controlled by the government of Israel. Entry to the occupied Palestinian territories requires only a valid international passport.[246] Tourism is mostly centered around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Jericho is a popular tourist spot for local Palestinians.

Communications

Palestine is known as the "Silicon Valley of NGOs".[247] The high tech industry in Palestine, have experienced good growth since 2008.[248] The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology said there were 4.2 million cellular mobile subscribers in Palestine compared to 2.6 million at the end of 2010 while the number of ADSL subscribers in Palestine increased to about 363 thousand by the end of 2019 from 119 thousand over the same period.[248] 97% of Palestinian households have at least one cellular mobile line while at least one smartphone is owned by 86% of households (91% in the West Bank and 78% in Gaza Strip).[248] About 80% of the Palestinian households have access to the internet in their homes and about a third have a computer.[248]

On 12 June 2020, the World Bank approved a US$15 million grant for the Technology for Youth and Jobs (TechStart) Project aiming to help the Palestinian IT sector upgrade the capabilities of firms and create more high-quality jobs. Kanthan Shankar, World Bank Country Director for West Bank and Gaza said "The IT sector has the potential to make a strong contribution to economic growth. It can offer opportunities to Palestinian youth, who constitute 30% of the population and suffer from acute unemployment."[249]

Financial services

A bank in Salfit

The Palestine Monetary Authority has issued guidelines for the operation and provision of electronic payment services including e-wallet and prepaid cards.[250] Protocol on Economic Relations, also known as Paris Protocol was signed between the PLO and Israel, which prohibited Palestinian Authority from having its own currency. This agreement paved a way for the government to collect taxes.

Prior to 1994, the occupied Palestinian territories had limited banking options, with Palestinians avoiding Israeli banks.[251] This resulted in an under-banked region and a cash-based economy.[251] Currently, there are 14 banks operating in Palestine, including Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian banks, compared to 21 in 2000.[251] The number of banks has decreased over time due to mergers and acquisitions.[251] Deposits in Palestinian banks have seen significant growth, increasing from US$1.2 billion in 2007 to US$6.9 billion in 2018, representing a 475% increase.[251] The banking sector has shown impressive annual growth rates in deposits and loan portfolios, surpassing global averages.[251]

The combined loan facilities provided by all banks on December 31, 2018, amounted to US$8.4 billion, marking a significant growth of 492 percent compared to US$1.42 billion in 2007.[251] Palestinian registered banks accounted for US$0.60 billion or 42 percent of total deposits in 2007, while in 2018, the loans extended by Palestinian registered banks reached US$5.02 billion, representing 61 percent of total loans.[251] This showcases a remarkable 737 percent increase between 2007 and 2018.[251] Currently, Palestinian registered banks hold 57 percent of customer deposits and provide 61 percent of the loans, compared to 26 percent of deposits and 42 percent of loans in 2007.[251]

Demographics

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), as of 26 May 2021, the State of Palestine 2021 mid-year population is 5,227,193.[9] Ala Owad, the president of the PCBS, estimated a population of 5.3 million as of end year 2021.[252] Within an area of 6,020 square kilometres (2,320 sq mi), there is a population density of about 827 people per square kilometer.[88] To put this in a wider context, the average population density of the world was 25 people per square kilometre as of 2017.[253]

Half of the Palestinian population are diaspora and refugees.[254] Due to being in a state of conflict with Israel, the subsequent wars have resulted displacement of a number of Palestinians, known as Nakba or Naksa.[255][256] In the 1948 war, around 700,000 Palestinians were expelled.[257] Most of them are seeking refuge in neighboring Arab countries like Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt.[258] While many lives as expats in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.[201][256] A large number of them can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom and rest of Europe.[259]

Population

 
Largest cities or towns in Palestine
Rank Name Governorate Municipal pop.
Gaza
Gaza
Jerusalem
Jerusalem
1 Gaza Gaza Governorate 766,331 Hebron
Hebron
Nablus
Nablus
2 Jerusalem Jerusalem Governorate [261] 542,400
3 Hebron Hebron Governorate 308,750
4 Nablus Nablus Governorate 239,772
5 Khan Yunis Khan Yunis Governorate 179,701
6 Jabalia North Gaza Governorate 165,110
7 Rafah Rafah Governorate 158,414
8 Jenin Jenin Governorate 115,305
9 Ramallah Ramallah and al-Bireh 104,173
10 Beit Lahia North Gaza Governorate 86,526

Religion

Religion of Palestinians (est. 2014)

  Islam (93%)
  Christianity (6%)
  Druze and Samaritans (1%)

Palestine has been known for its religious significance and site of many holy places, with religion playing an important role in shaping the country's society and culture. It is known as holy site for major Abrahamic religions. The Palestine Basic Law states that Islam is the official religion but also grants freedom of religion, calling for respect and sanctity for other faiths.

93% of Palestinians are Muslim,[262] the vast majority of whom are followers of the Sunni branch of Islam,[263] with a small minority of Ahmadiyya,[264] and 15% being nondenominational Muslims.[265] Palestinian Christians represent a significant minority of 6%, followed by much smaller religious communities, including Druze[citation needed] and Samaritans.[266] The largest concentration of Christians can be found in the cities of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala in the West Bank, as well as in the Gaza Strip. The majority of Palestinian Christians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Churches, including the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Syriac Orthodox Churches. Additionally, there are significant communities of Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics (Melkites), and various Protestant denominations.

Samaritans are highly concentrated around the Mount Gerizim, which is a holy place for them. Palestinian Jews are identified as those Jews who lived in Palestine region, before establishment of Israel and today they are Israeli citizens.[citation needed] However, the PLO considers Palestinian Jews those Jews, who lived in the peacefully before the rise of Zionism.[citation needed] Certain peoples, specially anti-Zionists considers themselves as Palestinian Jews such as Ilan Halevi and Uri Davis.[267]

Education

Students at Birzeit University
The administration building of the Islamic University of Gaza

The literacy rate of Palestine was 96.3% according to a 2014 report by the United Nations Development Programme, which is high by international standards.[268] There is a gender difference in the population aged above 15 with 5.9% of women considered illiterate compared to 1.6% of men.[269] Illiteracy among women has fallen from 20.3% in 1997 to less than 6% in 2014.[269] In the State of Palestine, the Gaza Strip has the highest literacy rate. According to a press blog of Columbia University, Palestinians are the most educated refugees.[270]

The education system in Palestine encompasses both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and it is administered by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.[271][272][273] Basic education in Palestine includes primary school (grades 1–4) and preparatory school (grades 5–10).[274] Secondary education consists of general secondary education (grades 11–12) and vocational education.[275] The curriculum includes subjects such as Arabic, English, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education. Islamic and Christian religious studies are also part of the curriculum as per the educational ministry.[276]

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip together have 14 universities, 18 university colleges and 20 community colleges.[277] While there are 3,000 schools are in Palestine.[278][279] An-Najah National University in Nablus is the largest university of the country, followed by Al-Quds University in Jerusalem and Birzeit University in Birzeit near Ramallah.[280][281][282][283] Al-Quds University achieved 5-star rating in quality standards and was termed as "socially most responsible university in the Arab world".[284][285] In 2018, Birzeit University was ranked as one of the top 2.7% of universities worldwide by World University Rankings in its 2019 edition.[286]

Health

A hospital in Bethlehem

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH), as of 2017, there were 743 primary health care centers in Palestine (583 in the West Bank and 160 in Gaza), and 81 hospitals (51 in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and 30 in Gaza).[287] The largest hospital of the West Bank is in Nablus, while Al-Shifa Hospital in largest in the Gaza Strip.

Operating under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO),[288] the Health Cluster for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) was established in 2009 and represents a partnership of over 70 local and international nongovernmental organizations and UN agencies providing a framework for health actors involved in the humanitarian response for the oPt. The Cluster is co-chaired by the MOH to ensure alignment with national policies and plans.[289] The report of WHO Director-General of 1 May 2019 describes health sector conditions in the oPt identifying strategic priorities and current obstacles to their achievement[290] pursuant to the country cooperation strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2017–2020.[291]

Culture

Streets of the Old City of Jerusalem by night during Ramadan

Palestinians are ethnically and linguistically considered part of the Arab world. The culture of Palestine has had a heavy influence on religion, arts, literature, sports architecture, and cinema.[292] UNESCO have recognized Palestinian culture. The Palestine Festival of Literature (PalFest) brings together Palestinian and international writers, musicians, and artists for a celebration of literature and culture.[293] The annual Palestine Cinema Days festival showcases Palestinian films and filmmakers.

Culture of Palestine is an amalgamation of indigenous traditions, Arab customs, and the heritage of various empires that have ruled the region. The land of Palestine has witnessed the presence of ancient civilizations such as the Canaanites, Philistines, and Israelites, each contributing to its cultural fabric. The Arab conquest in the 7th century brought the influence of Islam, which has been a cornerstone of Palestinian identity ever since. Islamic traditions, including language, art, and architecture, have infused the culture with distinct features.

Palestinian cultural expression often serves as a form of resistance against occupation and oppression. Street art, such as the work of Banksy in Bethlehem, and the annual Palestinian music and arts festival, Al-Mahatta, are examples of this cultural resistance.[294] The Old City of Jerusalem, with its religious sites like the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, holds immense cultural and historical significance.[295] Other notable cultural sites include the ancient city of Jericho, the archaeological site of Sebastia, and the town of Bethlehem.[296][297][298][299]

Architecture

The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit

Palestinian architecture encompasses a rich heritage that reflects the cultural and historical diversity of the region.[300] Throughout its history, Palestinian architecture has been influenced by various civilizations, including Islamic, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman.[300] Traditional Palestinian architecture is characterized by its use of local materials such as stone and traditional construction techniques.[300] The architectural style varies across different regions, with notable features including arched doorways, domes, and intricate geometric patterns.[300] Islamic architecture has left a profound impact on Palestinian buildings.[300] Mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas showcase exquisite craftsmanship, with notable examples including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Great Mosque of Nablus.[300]

Palestine is home to several Byzantine and Crusader architectural marvels.[300] The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which dates back to the 4th century, is a significant pilgrimage site.[300] The Crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers in the Golan Heights is another remarkable example.[300] During the Ottoman period, numerous mosques, palaces, and public buildings were constructed throughout Palestine.[300] The iconic Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem underwent restoration and renovation in the Ottoman era, showcasing a blend of Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements.[300]

Rasem Badran and Mohamed Hadid are popular Palestinian architects.[300] In recent years, modern architecture has emerged in Palestine, blending traditional elements with contemporary designs.[300] The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, exemplifies this fusion, incorporating local motifs and sustainable building practices.[301][302][303] International Convention Center in Bethlehem, is a prominent structure showcasing contemporary Palestinian architecture.[300] Another notable building is the Palestinian National Theatre in Jerusalem.[304] Elements of modern architecture can be found in shopping malls, luxury hotels, technology parks and high rise skyscrapers. The Palestine Trade Tower in Ramallah is the tallest building in Palestine.

Art, music, and clothing

Mohammed Assaf
Palestinian children in their traditional dress

Traditional Palestinian music is deeply rooted in the region's history and culture.[305] It features instruments such as the oud (a stringed instrument), the qanun (a type of zither), and various percussion instruments.[306] Traditional folk songs often depict themes of love, longing, and daily life experiences.[307] Artists like Mohammad Assaf, winner of the Arab Idol competition, have gained international recognition for their renditions of traditional Palestinian songs.[308]

Dabke is a popular Palestinian dance form accompanied by music.[309] The lively and rhythmic music is characterized by the use of the mijwiz (a reed flute), the tablah (a drum), and the handclapping of dancers.[309] Dabke songs are often performed at weddings, celebrations, and cultural events, fostering a sense of community and shared identity.[309] Palestinian pop music has gained popularity in recent years, blending modern elements with traditional influences.[310] Artists like Mohammed Assaf, Amal Murkus, and Rim Banna have contributed to the contemporary pop scene with their unique styles and powerful voices.[310] Their songs address both personal and political themes, resonating with Palestinians and audiences worldwide.[310]

Palestinian hip-hop has emerged as a powerful medium for expressing the realities and struggles faced by Palestinians.[311][312] Artists such as DAM, Shadia Mansour, and Tamer Nafar have gained international recognition for their socially conscious lyrics, addressing topics such as occupation, identity, and resistance.[313] Palestinian hip-hop serves as a form of cultural resistance, amplifying the voices of Palestinian youth. Rim Banna was a Palestinian singer known for her ethereal vocals and her dedication to preserving Palestinian folk music. Reem Kelani, a Palestinian musician based in the United Kingdom, is renowned for her powerful voice and her reinterpretation of traditional Palestinian songs. Dalal Abu Amneh is a popular Palestinian singer and poet.

Media

There are a number of newspapers, news agencies, and satellite television stations in the State of Palestine. Its news agencies include Ma'an News Agency, Wafa, and Palestine News Network. Al-Aqsa TV, Al-Quds TV, and Sanabel TV are its main satellite broadcasters.

Cinema

The cinema of Palestine has been shaped by pioneering filmmakers such as Elia Suleiman, Hany Abu-Assad, and Annemarie Jacir. Their works have gained international acclaim while shedding light on the Palestinian experience. Palestinian films have received recognition and awards at prestigious film festivals worldwide. For example, Hany Abu-Assad's film "Paradise Now" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.[314] Palestinian cinema production is centered in Jerusalem, with prominent local scenes in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nablus.[315]

Makram Khoury, Mohammad Bakri, Hiam Abbass, and Amal Murkus emerged as popular faces in Palestinian cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.[316] Areen Omari, Valantina Abu Oqsa, Saleh Bakri, Tawfeek Barhom, and Ashraf Barhom became popular in the mid-1990s, while Leem Lubany and Clara Khoury have gained acclaim since 2000.[317][318][316] Popular Palestinian movies include Wedding in Galilee (1987), Chronicle of a Disappearance (1996), Divine Intervention (2002), Paradise Now (2005), The Time That Remains (2009), and Omar (2013).[316]

Documentary filmmaking has played a significant role in capturing and documenting the Palestinian experience. Films like 5 Broken Cameras by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi have received critical acclaim.[319] Palestinian filmmakers often face unique challenges due to the political situation in the region, with many films made under the rules and struggles of occupation.[320] The Palestinian Film Festival, held annually in various cities around the world, showcases Palestinian cinema and provides a platform for Palestinian filmmakers to share their stories.[321]

Sports

Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium at Al-Ram, Jerusalem

Palestine has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1996, with athletes competing in various sports, including athletics, swimming, judo, and taekwondo.[322] Palestinian Olympians proudly represent their nation on the international stage. The country is a member of the International Olympic Committee. In addition to football, basketball, handball, and volleyball are also popular sports in Palestine. The Palestinian Basketball Federation and Palestinian Handball Federation oversee these sports' development and organization.[323]

Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the state of Palestine,[324] with the Palestine national football team representing the state in international football and governed by FIFA worldwide. The Palestine Cup is the premier domestic football competition in Palestine.[325] It features teams from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the winner represents Palestine in the AFC Cup. Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium, located in Al-Ram in Jerusalem, stands as the largest stadium in Palestine.[326] It serves as the home ground for the national football team.[327] Other notable stadiums include Dora International Stadium in Hebron, Palestine Stadium in Gaza and Nablus Football Stadium in the Nablus.[328]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The Palestinian Declaration of Independence proclaims the "establishment of the State of Palestine on our Palestinian territory with its capital Jerusalem (Al-Quds Ash-Sharif)." Israel exercises de facto control over Jerusalem, but neither state’s claims to Jerusalem are widely recognized by the international community. Ramallah is the administrative capital where government institutions and foreign representative offices are located, while most countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv. In Oslo I Accord, few parts of Jerusalem went under control of the Palestinian government, but did not solved overall status of Jerusalem.
  2. ^ a b So far both presidents of the State of Palestine, Yasser Arafat and his successor Mahmoud Abbas, were appointed beforehand as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the committee performing the functions of State of Palestine government.[101][102] See also Leaders of Palestinian institutions.
  3. ^ a b c Israel allows the Palestinian National Authority to execute some functions in the Palestinian territories, depending on the area classification. It maintains minimal interference (retaining control of borders: air,[50] sea beyond internal waters,[50][51] land[52]) in the Gaza Strip (its interior and Egypt portion of the land border are under Hamas control), and varying degrees of interference elsewhere.[53][54][55][56][57] See also Israeli-occupied territories.
  4. ^ pronounced [fɪ.las.tˤiːn]
  5. ^ Note that the name Palestine can commonly be interpreted as the entire territory of the former British Mandate, which today also incorporates Israel. The name is also officially used as the short-form reference to the State of Palestine,[16] and this should be distinguished from other homonymous uses for the term including the Palestinian Authority,[17] the Palestine Liberation Organization,[18] and the subjects of other proposals for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Palestine" (includes audio). nationalanthems.info. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Ban sends Palestinian application for UN membership to Security Council". United Nations News Centre. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Declaration of Independence (1988) (UN Doc)". State of Palestine Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations. United Nations. 18 November 1988. Archived from the original on 8 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  4. ^ Miskin, Maayana (5 December 2012). "PA Weighs 'State of Palestine' Passport". israelnationalnews.com. Arutz Sheva. Archived from the original on 7 December 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2014. A senior PA official revealed the plans in an interview with Al-Quds newspaper. The change to 'state' status is important because it shows that 'the state of Palestine is occupied,' he said.
  5. ^ "State of Palestine name change shows limitations". AP. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013. Israel remains in charge of territories the world says should one day make up that state.
  6. ^ a b "Table 3, Population by sex, annual rate of population increase, surface area and density" (PDF). Demographic Yearbook. United Nations Statistics Division. 2012. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  7. ^ "The World Factbook: Middle East: West Bank". cia.gov. Central Intelligence Agency. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  8. ^ "The World Factbook: Middle East: Gaza Strip". cia.gov. Central Intelligence Agency. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Estimated Population in the Palestine Mid-Year by Governorate,1997-2026". Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Palestine)". IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. ^ "GINI index coefficient: West Bank & Gaza". CIA Factbook. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  12. ^ Human Development Report 2020 The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 15 December 2020. pp. 343–346. ISBN 978-92-1-126442-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  13. ^ According to Article 4 of the 1994 Paris Protocol, the State of Palestine has no official currency. The Protocol allows the Palestinian Authority to adopt multiple currencies. In the West Bank, the Israeli new sheqel and Jordanian dinar are widely accepted, while in the Gaza Strip the Israeli new sheqel and Egyptian pound are widely accepted.
  14. ^ a b "ActionAid: Conditions in Rafah at breaking point, with over one million displaced people". wafa agency.
  15. ^ a b Nearly 1 million Palestinians are fleeing Rafah and northern Gaza
  16. ^ Bissio, Robert Remo, ed. (1995). The World: A Third World Guide 1995–96. Montevideo: Instituto del Tercer Mundo. p. 443. ISBN 978-0-85598-291-1.
  17. ^ Baroud, Ramzy (2004). Kogan Page (ed.). Middle East Review (27th ed.). London: Kogan Page. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-7494-4066-4.
  18. ^ a b United Nations General Assembly Session 43 Resolution 43/117. 75th plenary meeting. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees A/RES/43/117 8 December 1988. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  19. ^ Gelber, Y. Palestine, 1948. pp. 177–78
  20. ^ "Membership of the State of Palestine in international organizations (as of 25 May 2018)". MOFAE. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  21. ^ Rubin, 1999, The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: The Arab World, p. 186, at Google Books
  22. ^ Nur Masalha (15 August 2018). Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History. Zed Books Limited. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-78699-273-4.
  23. ^ Herodotus, Volume 4. p. 21. 1806. Rev. William Beloe translation.
  24. ^ Ancient History Encyclopædia, Mark, Joshua J., "Palestine" Archived 27 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ "Common Country Analysis 2016: Leave No One Behind: A Perspective on Vulnerability and Structural Disadvantage in Palestine" (PDF). United Nations Country Team Occupied Palestinian Territory. 2016. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  26. ^ Afyoncu, Erhan (18 May 2018). "400 years of peace: Palestine under Ottoman rule". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Ottoman Rule (1517-1917)". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Young Turks | History, Ottoman Empire, & Significance | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Six Reasons Why the Ottoman Empire Fell". HISTORY. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  30. ^ "The rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Collapse of the Ottoman Empire, 1918-1920". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  32. ^ "40 Years Of Israeli Occupation". www.arij.org. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  33. ^ admin (14 September 2017). "Remembering the Ottoman Empire in Palestine". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  34. ^ a b c d e f "Political History of Palestine under British Administration - UK memorandum". Question of Palestine. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  35. ^ Sofuoglu, Murat. "A lookback at the Zionist terrorism that led to Israel's creation". Has Israel been based on Zionist terrorism?. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  36. ^ "The Roots of Zionist Terrorism". Institute for Palestine Studies. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  37. ^ Menahem Begin, from Terrorism to Power.
  38. ^ Brinkley, Joel (21 August 1988). "THE STUBBORN STRENGTH OF YITZHAK SHAMIR". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Six-Day War". history.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  40. ^ "PLO". history.com. 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  41. ^ al Madfai, Madiha Rashid (1993). Jordan, the United States and the Middle East Peace Process, 1974–1991. Cambridge Middle East Library. Vol. 28. Cambridge University Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-521-41523-1.
  42. ^ United Nations General Assembly Session 29 Resolution 3237 (XXIX). 2296th plenary meeting. Observer status for the Palestine Liberation Organization A/RES/3237(XXIX) 22 November 1974. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  43. ^ Geldenhuys, Deon (1990). Isolated States: A Comparative Analysis. Cambridge Studies in International Relations. Vol. 15. Cambridge University Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-521-40268-2.
  44. ^ "40 Years Of Israeli Occupation". arij.org. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  45. ^ Hillier, Tim (1998). Sourcebook on Public International Law. Cavendish Publishing sourcebook. Cavendish Publishing. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-84314-380-2. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  46. ^ United Nations General Assembly Session 55 Agenda item 36. 54th plenary meeting. Bethlehem 2000 Draft resolution (A/55/L.3) A/55/PV.54 page 10. Al-Kidwa, Nasser (Palestine) (in Arabic). 7 November 2000 at 3 p.m. Retrieved 10 June 2014. "Moreover, we are confident that in the near future we will truly be able to join the international community, represented in the Organization as Palestine, the State that encompasses Bethlehem."
  47. ^ PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (13 November 2008). "The Historic Compromise: The Palestinian Declaration of Independence and the Twenty-Year Struggle for a Two-State Solution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  48. ^ Quigley, 2005, p. 212.
  49. ^ Murphy, Kim (10 September 1993). "Israel and PLO, in Historic Bid for Peace, Agree to Mutual Recognition: Mideast: After decades of conflict, accord underscores both sides' readiness to coexist. Arafat reaffirms the renunciation of violence in strong terms". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 23 April 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  50. ^ a b Israel's control of the airspace and the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  51. ^ Map of Gaza fishing limits, "security zones" Archived 26 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  52. ^ Israel's Disengagement Plan: Renewing the Peace Process Archived 2 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine: "Israel will guard the perimeter of the Gaza Strip, continue to control Gaza air space, and continue to patrol the sea off the Gaza coast. ... Israel will continue to maintain its essential military presence to prevent arms smuggling along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt (Philadelphi Route), until the security situation and cooperation with Egypt permit an alternative security arrangement."
  53. ^ "Israel: 'Disengagement' Will Not End Gaza Occupation". Human Rights Watch. 29 October 2004. Archived from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  54. ^ Gold, Dore (26 August 2005). "Legal Acrobatics: The Palestinian Claim that Gaza Is Still 'Occupied' Even After Israel Withdraws". Jerusalem Issue Brief. 5 (3). Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  55. ^ Bell, Abraham (28 January 2008). "International Law and Gaza: The Assault on Israel's Right to Self-Defense". Jerusalem Issue Brief. 7 (29). Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  56. ^ Transcript (22 January 2008). "Address by FM Livni to the 8th Herzliya Conference". Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  57. ^ Salih, Zak M. (17 November 2005). "Panelists Disagree Over Gaza's Occupation Status". University of Virginia School of Law. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  58. ^ United Nations General Assembly Session 52 Resolution 52/250. Participation of Palestine in the work of the United Nations A/RES/52/250 13 July 1998.
  59. ^ "Written Statement Submitted by Palestine" (PDF). International Court of Justice (ICJ). 30 January 2004. pp. 44–49. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2014, in "Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Index)". International Court of Justice. 10 December 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2014, referred to the ICJ by United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/14. Agenda item 5. Tenth emergency special session; 23rd plenary meeting. Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory A/RES/ES/10/14 12 December 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  60. ^ a b c d e f "Israel - Netanyahu, Politics, Middle East | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  61. ^ "Chronology Of The Siege | The Siege Of Bethlehem | FRONTLINE | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  62. ^ Staff (10 May 2002). "Church siege ending after 39 days". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  63. ^ "Siege of the Church of the Nativity recalled: 'It was a battle to stay alive'". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  64. ^ "Who Killed Yasser Arafat? | Middle East Policy Council". mepc.org. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  65. ^ "Abbas: I know who killed Arafat". Arab News. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  66. ^ Willsher, Kim; Sherwood, Harriet (3 December 2013). "Yasser Arafat died of natural causes, French investigators say". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  67. ^ Sherwood, Harriet (1 July 2021). "Court rejects attempt to reopen investigation into Yasser Arafat's death". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  68. ^ "Arafat v Abbas – and the winner is…Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  69. ^ "Mahmoud Abbas | Biography & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  70. ^ "The life and death of Shaikh Yasin". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  71. ^ "HAMAS LEADER TALKS OF TRUCE, ISRAEL'S END". Washington Post. 8 January 2024. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  72. ^ Paris, Gilles; Sallon, Hélène (26 November 2023). "How Hamas became the leader of the Palestinian national movement". Le Monde. ISSN 1950-6244. OCLC 833476932. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  73. ^ "Israel-Hamas war: Fatah and Hamas step up contacts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation". Le Monde.fr. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  74. ^ a b "Hamas leader's Tunisia visit angers Palestinian officials". Al Arabiya News. Agence France-Presse (AFP). 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  75. ^ "Palestinian unity government sworn in by Mahmoud Abbas". BBC News Middle East. 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  76. ^ "Graph of Rocket Attacks Launched From Gaza (2001-2021)". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  77. ^ Black, Ian; Tran, Mark (15 June 2007). "Hamas takes control of Gaza". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  78. ^ "What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  79. ^ Yglesias, Matthew. "Palestinian right of return matters". www.slowboring.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  80. ^ "Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian areas amounts to war crime: UN". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  81. ^ "Israel's borders explained in maps". 15 September 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  82. ^ DC, Arab Center Washington (28 March 2024). "Jerusalem's Status Quo Agreement: History and Challenges to Its Viability". Arab Center Washington DC. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  83. ^ "The Abraham Accords". StandWithUs. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  84. ^ Dpr 3 (3 April 2024). "History of the Question of Palestine". Question of Palestine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  85. ^ "Spain to recognize Palestinian statehood by July". POLITICO. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  86. ^ "Why Palestinian Statehood Is a Question for the U.N." Brookings. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  87. ^ "UNdata | country profile | State of Palestine". data.un.org. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  88. ^ a b "State of Palestine Population (2020)". worldometers.info. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  89. ^ "Jezreel | Valley, Meaning, & Map | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  90. ^ "Search". www.alhaq.org. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  91. ^ "Samarian Hills | hills, West Bank | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  92. ^ McKernan, Bethan (3 April 2023). "Mount of Olives becomes latest target in fight for control of Jerusalem". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  93. ^ "Mount Carmel | Jezreel Valley, Mediterranean Sea, Haifa | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  94. ^ Dinerstein, Eric; et al. (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
  95. ^ a b Marsi, Federica. "'From the river to the sea': What does the Palestinian slogan really mean?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  96. ^ Adeel, Zafar (23 October 2023). "Israel-Palestine conflict: How sharing the waters of the Jordan River could be a pathway to peace". The Conversation. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  97. ^ "Monthly Averages for Gaza, Gaza Strip". MSN Weather. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  98. ^ "St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt | Bein Harim Tours". www.beinharimtours.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  99. ^ "Wadi Qelt reserve". Mahmiyat. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  100. ^ Government of the Dominican Republic (15 July 2009). "Comunicado Conjunto para Establecimiento Relaciones Diplomaticas entre la Republica Dominican y el Estado de Palestina" [Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Dominican Republic and the State of Palestine] (PDF) (in Spanish, English, and Arabic). Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2014. Presidente del Estado de Palestina [President of the State of Palestine].
  101. ^ a b c d United Nations General Assembly Session 67 Agenda item 37. Question of Palestine A/67/L.28 26 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014. and United Nations General Assembly Session 67 Resolution 67/19. Status of Palestine in the United Nations A/RES/67/19 29 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  102. ^ a b c Sayigh, Yezid (1999). Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949–1993 (illustrated ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 624. ISBN 978-0-19-829643-0. The Palestinian National Council also empowered the central council to form a government-in-exile when appropriate, and the executive committee to perform the functions of government until such time as a government-in-exile was established.
  103. ^ PLO Body Elects Abbas 'President of Palestine' Archived 1 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine 25 November 2008. Agence France-Presse (via MIFTAH). Retrieved 12 August 2017. "'I announce that the PLO Central Council has elected Mahmud Abbas president of the State of Palestine. He takes on this role from this day, November 23, 2008,' the body's chairman Salem al-Zaanun told reporters."
  104. ^ Executive Board of UNESCO (12 May 1989). "Hundred and Thirty-First Session – Item 9.4 of the Provisional Agenda – Request for the Admission of the State of Palestine to UNESCO as a Member State" (PDF). UNESCO. p. 18, Annex II. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011. A government-in-exile, having no effective control in the territory and not having had previous control, ... .
  105. ^ "Palestinian National Council (PNC)". European Institute for Research on Mediterranean and Euro-Arab Cooperation. Medea Institute. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2014. The Palestinian National Council (PNC), Parliament in exile of the Palestinian people, is the most important institution of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). The PNC elects the Executive Committee of the organization which makes up the leadership between sessions.
  106. ^ "Who Governs the Palestinians?". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  107. ^ Allen, L. 2013. The Rise and Fall of Human Rights. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
  108. ^ "Opinion | Hamas Didn't Attack Israelis Because They Are Jewish | Common Dreams". www.commondreams.org. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  109. ^ "i24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  110. ^ "Mahmoud Abbas (President)". ECFR. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  111. ^ Thompson, Nick (26 February 2024). "Palestinian Authority prime minister and government resign amid pressure to reform". CNN. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  112. ^ "Palestinian President Abbas appoints Mohammed Mustafa as prime minister". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  113. ^ "Yahya Sinwar: Who is the Hamas leader in Gaza?". 21 November 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  114. ^ "West Bank: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  115. ^ "What is the Palestinian Authority and what is its relationship with Israel?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  116. ^ Menachem, Yoni Ben (10 January 2018). "Palestinian Capital in Abu Dis or Ramallah?". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  117. ^ "Ramallah looks ever more like Palestinian capital". DAWN.COM. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  118. ^ "Israel bombs parliament building in Gaza: Local media". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  119. ^ Prusher, Ilene (29 May 2015). "Palestine's abandoned parliament – a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 46". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  120. ^ "AP PHOTOS: Unfinished Palestinian parliament a grim symbol". AP News. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  121. ^ "MERIA: The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army". ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  122. ^ "Palestine Liberation Organization". palestineun.org. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  123. ^ "Palestine Liberation Army | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  124. ^ "Palestine Liberation Army | Office of Justice Programs". www.ojp.gov. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  125. ^ "National Security Forces (NSF) – PA/Hamas". ECFR. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  126. ^ "What is Hamas? A simple guide to the armed Palestinian group". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  127. ^ "Palestine Liberation Army: Our people's struggle will continue until the liberation of the Palestinian land". Syrian Times. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  128. ^ "US Plan to Empower Palestinian Authority in Gaza Faces Israeli Opposition". Voice of America. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  129. ^ "What is the joint Palestinian security force? - L'Orient Today".
  130. ^ "PA forces fire tear gas at West Bank protesters after Gaza hospital strike". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  131. ^ "Sicherheit - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V." Foundation Office Palestinian Territories. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  132. ^ a b c d e Zahriyeh, Ehab (4 July 2014). "Maps: The occupation of the West Bank". Al Jazeera America. Al Jazeera Media Network. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  133. ^ a b Gvirtzman, Haim. "Maps of Israeli Interests in Judea and Samaria". Bar-Ilan University. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  134. ^ West Bank and Gaza – Area C and the future of the Palestinian economy (Report). World Bank Group. 2 October 2013. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  135. ^ "The Struggle over Area C Change Direction toward a Space for Understanding with the Palestinian Authority". www.inss.org.il. 23 August 2023. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023. Israeli governments see Area C as essential for Jewish settlement and security, and as an asset in future negotiations. By contrast, the Palestinians see Area C as essential for a contiguous, sustainable, and viable Palestinian state.
  136. ^ "Group: Israel Controls 42% of West Bank". CBS News. CBS Interactive. Associated Press. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  137. ^ Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention (PDF) (Report). UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 9 March 2012. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  138. ^ Kelly, Tobias (May 2009). Von Benda-Beckmann, Franz; Von Benda-Beckmann, Keebet; Eckert, Julia M. (eds.). Laws of Suspicion:Legal Status, Space and the Impossibility of Separation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ashgate Publishing. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7546-7239-5.
  139. ^ Jerusalem, Facts and Trends 2009/2010 (PDF) (Report). Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. 2010. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  140. ^ "The Unique Status of the Jerusalem Suburb of Wadi Hummus". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  141. ^ "Palestine". GeoHive. Johan van der Heyden. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  142. ^ "Egypt 'proposes' new deal between Hamas, Israel". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  143. ^ Wintour, Patrick (21 November 2023). "Why is Qatar often a mediator and what is its role in Israel-Hamas war?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  144. ^ Specia, Megan (2 December 2023). "Tracing the Deep Roots of Ireland's Support for Palestinians". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  145. ^ "India advocates for sovereign,independent state of palestine at UN, opposes violence". DD News. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  146. ^ UNGA, 15 December 1988; Resolution 43/177. Question of Palestine Archived 19 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine (doc.nr. A/RES/43/177)
  147. ^ "United Nations Sixty-seventh General Assembly: General Assembly Plenary, 44th & 45th Meetings (PM & Night). GA/11317: General Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly to Accord Palestine 'Non-Member Observer State' Status in United Nations". United Nations. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  148. ^ United Nations General Assembly Session 67 Agenda item 37. Question of Palestine A/67/L.28 26 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014. and United Nations General Assembly Session 67 Resolution 67/19. Status of Palestine in the United Nations A/RES/67/19 29 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  149. ^ a b c "Palestine: What is in a name (change)?". Aljazeera Inside Story. Aljazeera. 8 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  150. ^ Beaumont, Peter (3 October 2014). "Sweden to recognise state of Palestine". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  151. ^ "Sweden officially recognises state of Palestine". The Guardian. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  152. ^ Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot (30 October 2014). "Sweden today decides to recognise the State of Palestine". Dagens Nyheter. Stockholm. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  153. ^ "House of Commons – Parliamentary Debates" (PDF). Parliament of the United Kingdom. 13 October 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  154. ^ "MPs back Palestinian statehood alongside Israel". BBC News. BBC. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  155. ^ "French parliament votes for recognition of Palestinian state". Uk. Reuters. Reuters. 2 December 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  156. ^ Beaumont, Peter (31 December 2014). "US and Israeli intervention led UN to reject Palestinian resolution". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  157. ^ "UNSC rejects resolution on Palestinian state". Al Jazeera. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  158. ^ "UN Security Council rejects Palestinian resolution". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  159. ^ "UN security council rejects Palestinian statehood bid". The Guardian. Associated Press. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  160. ^ "The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, opens a preliminary examination of the situation in Palestine". ICC. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  161. ^ Yuval Abraham and Meron Rapoport, Surveillance and interference: Israel’s covert war on the ICC exposed +972 magazine 28 May 2024
  162. ^ 'PLO: Vatican accord with Palestine a contribution to justice,' Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine Ma'an News Agency 14 May 2015.:"The Holy See has identified the State of Palestine as such since the vote" by the UN general assembly to recognize it in November 2012, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told AFP.
  163. ^ "Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty". bigstory.ap.org. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  164. ^ 'UN adopts resolution on Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources,' Archived 23 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine Ma'an News Agency 23 December 2015.
  165. ^ Sayigh, Yezid (1999). Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949–1993 (illustrated ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 624. ISBN 978-0-19-829643-0. "The Palestinian National Council also empowered the central council to form a government-in-exile when appropriate, and the executive committee to perform the functions of government until such time as a government-in-exile was established."
  166. ^ "Q. and A. on Palestinian Statehood". NYT. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022. Q. Does Palestine meet that legal definition [Montevideo Convention]? A.Many experts say that it does, though there is considerable complexity surrounding the particular criteria. & Q. What about recognition? A.The Palestinian leadership has been trying for years to garner as much international recognition as possible, hoping to achieve a diplomatic critical mass that would force the hand of Israel and the United States. By November 2012, when the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status to that of a nonmember observer state, 132 of the 198 members of the United Nations recognized Palestinian statehood. Several more have done so since then.
  167. ^ Robbie Sabel (April 2022). International Law and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Cambridge university Press. p. 399. ISBN 978-1-108-76267-0. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022. The issue of whether Palestine is, at present, a State remains controversial.
  168. ^ Victor Matthew Kattan. "The Statehood of Palestine: A Constitutivist View (May 21, 2021)". In Hani Sayed &Thomas Skouteris (ed.). Oxford Handbook on International Law in the Arab World. Oxford University Press, Forthcoming. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3850777. S2CID 241140129. It would be difficult to deny that the recognition of Palestine by over two-thirds of the member states of the United Nations (72 per cent of members), its membership of seventeen international organizations, three international courts and its accession to many major multilateral treaties, in pursuit of Palestinian self-determination, means that Palestine is a state under international law even though its territory continues to be occupied – illegally – by the Government of Israel
  169. ^ UN backs raising Palestinian flag at NY headquarters Archived 27 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. i24news and AFP, 9 September 2015
  170. ^ Response:Palestinian Attempt to Raise Flag at UNHQ Archived 21 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, 1 September 2015.
  171. ^ a b "Historic raising of Palestinian flag at United Nations". CNN. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  172. ^ "Palestinian flag raised at UN in New York". BBC News. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  173. ^ "Palestinian flag to be raised at United Nations for the first time". The Independent. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  174. ^ U.N. General Assembly approves Palestinian request to fly its flag Archived 19 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Louis Charbonneau, Reuters, 10 September 2015
  175. ^ UN strongly approves Palestinian proposal to raise flag Archived 12 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Al Jazeera, 11 September 2015
  176. ^ "Palestinian Flag Raised at the United Nations for the First Time". Newsweek. 30 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  177. ^ "Israel defies UN after vote on Palestine with plans for 3,000 new homes in the West Bank". The Independent. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  178. ^ a b Charbonneau, Louis (29 November 2012). "Palestinians win implicit U.N. recognition of sovereign state". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  179. ^ a b Lederer, Edith M (30 November 2012). "Live Stream: Palestine asks United Nations for a 'birth certificate' ahead of vote". www.3news.com. New Zealand: MediaWorks TV. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  180. ^ "United Nations Sixty-seventh General Assembly: General Assembly Plenary, 44th & 45th Meetings (PM & Night). GA/11317: General Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly to Accord Palestine 'Non-Member Observer State' Status in United Nations". United Nations. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  181. ^ "General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer State status at UN". United Nations News Centre. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  182. ^ Hume, Tim; Fantz, Ashley (30 November 2012). "Palestinian United Nations bid explained". CNN International Edition: Middle East. Cable News Network (CNN). Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  183. ^ "Website of the State of Palestine's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations". Archived from the original on 31 January 2013.
  184. ^ Gharib, Ali (20 December 2012). "U.N. Adds New Name: "State of Palestine"". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  185. ^ O'Brien, Patricia (21 December 2012). "Issues related to General assembly resolution 67/19 on the status of Palestine in the United nations" (PDF). United Nations. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  186. ^ Christmas Message from H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas Archived 3 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Christmas 2012: "133 countries that took the courageous step of recognizing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders."
  187. ^ "Palestinians want April vote on UN membership despite US saying peace with Israel must come first". AP News. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  188. ^ "US vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine". AP News. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  189. ^ Borger, Julian (18 April 2024). "US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  190. ^ "PA says US veto of Palestinian UN membership 'unfair, unethical'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  191. ^ "The Palestinian Economy Remains Vulnerable Amid Socio-Political Instability". World Bank. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  192. ^ Daoudi, Hanna; Khalidi, Raja (2008). "The Palestinian War-Torn Economy : Aid, Development and State Formation". A Contrario (in French). 5 (1): 23–36. doi:10.3917/aco.052.0023. ISSN 1660-7880.
  193. ^ DAOUDI Hanna, KHALIDI Raja, « The Palestinian War-Torn Economy : Aid, Development and State Formation », A contrario, 2008/1 (Vol. 5), p. 23-36. DOI : 10.3917/aco.052.0023. URL : https://www.cairn.info/revue-a-contrario-2008-1-page-23.htm
  194. ^ "Palestine: share of economic sectors in GDP 2011-2021". Statista. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  195. ^ a b c d e f g "Palestinian Economy – From Dependency to Regional Cooperation?". www.boell.de. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  196. ^ "Gaza Airport: The legacy of a Palestinian dream". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  197. ^ Mittelstaedt, Juliane von (27 April 2011). "Dream of a Palestinian Tiger: Boom Times in the West Bank". Der Spiegel. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  198. ^ "Palestine* - European Commission". civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  199. ^ "Political Economy of Foreign Aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: A Conceptual Framing – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)". www.prio.org. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  200. ^ "Palestinian Expatriates". This Week in Palestine. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  201. ^ a b Labadi, Taher (5 December 2018). "The Palestinian Diaspora and the State-Building Process". Arab Reform Initiative.
  202. ^ Dept, International Monetary Fund Middle East and Central Asia (13 September 2023). "West Bank and Gaza: Selected Issues". IMF Staff Country Reports. 2023 (327). doi:10.5089/9798400253843.002.A001 (inactive 6 March 2024).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of March 2024 (link)
  203. ^ admin2 (28 September 2022). "Tourism in Palestine in figures". middleeast-business.com. Retrieved 28 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  204. ^ Bukhari, Allia. "How Israel damages Palestine's economy by limiting tourism in Jerusalem". How Israel damages Palestine’s economy by limiting tourism in Jerusalem. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  205. ^ "Hebron, the wealthiest, most high-tech Palestinian Authority City". the Jewish Community of Hebron. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  206. ^ "Could Ramallah become an Arab World tech hub?". BBC News. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  207. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Agriculture in Palestine". socialsciences.mcmaster.ca. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  208. ^ "Israel gives Pal. Authority limited water autonomy in West Bank". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  209. ^ Newman, Rachel Wilson, Mark Oliver, Alexandra (18 October 2023). "Gaza's limited water access, mapped". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  210. ^ Israeli gov, Water Authority, The Water issue between Israel and the Palestinians, https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/reports/water-authority-data-english/he/21-Water-Issues-between-Israel-and-Palestinians-Main-Facts.pdf Archived 7 October 2023 at the Wayback Machine 2012
  211. ^ United Nations (3 September 2009). "Gaza water crisis prompts UN call for immediate opening of crossings". Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  212. ^ "Gaza Strip Water and Sanitation Situation". Worldbank. 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018.
  213. ^ Fatta, D. (2005). "Urban Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation for Agricultural Irrigation: The situation in Morocco and Palestine". The Environmentalist. 24 (4): 227–236. doi:10.1007/s10669-005-0998-x. S2CID 85346288.
  214. ^ Assaf, Karen (2004). "Water as a human right: The understanding of water in Palestine" (PDF). Boell.de. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2015.
  215. ^ "Trade & Invesment - Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom". palmissionuk.org. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  216. ^ "Trade Profile - Palestine - International Trade Portal". www.lloydsbanktrade.com. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  217. ^ https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/137793
  218. ^ a b "Hebron, the wealthiest, most high-tech Palestinian Authority City". the Jewish Community of Hebron. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  219. ^ Goodfriend, Sophia (29 February 2024). "How the Occupation Fuels Tel Aviv's Booming AI Sector". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  220. ^ Levy, Elior (3 December 2016). "First Coca-Cola plant opens in Gaza". Ynetnews. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  221. ^ Reiff, Ben (7 March 2023). "At Davos, talk of Palestinian prosperity without freedom is 'a charade'". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  222. ^ "Industrial zones". www.quartetoffice.org. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  223. ^ "Massader Palestine - Noor Palestine Solar Program". www.massader.ps. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  224. ^ "Projects". Qudra Energy. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  225. ^ admin (24 May 2019). "Palestine to Open First-Ever Solar Power Station". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  226. ^ admsusint (7 April 2023). "Abu Kishek and businessman Samir Aweidah sign an agreement to finance and construct a solar power station at Al-Quds University". Sustainability. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  227. ^ a b "Offshore Gas Field Could Help Gaza Recovery". OilPrice.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  228. ^ a b c Atmos (29 November 2023). "'This Genocide Is About Oil'". Atmos. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  229. ^ a b c d e f "West Bank Oil Field". www.massader.ps. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  230. ^ Saglam, Muhdan (26 October 2023). "Is Israel attacking Gaza for oil and gas? - Muhdan Saglam". Gercek News. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  231. ^ a b "Palestine Natural Resources Overview". www.massader.ps. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  232. ^ "Offshore Gas Field Could Help Gaza Recovery". OilPrice.com. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  233. ^ "Gaza: Gas Rich but in Ruins". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  234. ^ "Offshore Gas Field Could Help Gaza Recovery". OilPrice.com. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  235. ^ "Gaza Marine: Natural gas extraction in tumultuous times?". Brookings. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  236. ^ Robbins, Elizabeth (18 June 2023). "Israel Green-Lights Gaza Offshore Gas Development". FDD. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  237. ^ "Gaza offshore gas project: Agreement expected by year-end". Arab News. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  238. ^ a b Gaza, Sally Ibrahim ــ (20 June 2023). "Exclusive: Hamas 'allows development of gas field off Gaza'". www.newarab.com/. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  239. ^ Moussa, Emad (26 July 2022). "Palestine's airports: Past, present, and future dreams". www.newarab.com/. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  240. ^ "A New Airport Is Being Proposed to Serve Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority". Architectural Digest. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  241. ^ "Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid proposes Gaza development plan". France 24. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  242. ^ "PCBS: Marked increase in West Bank tourism in 2010". M'aan. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  243. ^ Imtiaz Muqbil; Sana Muqbil (11 March 2013). "Europeans Dominate Visitor Arrivals to Palestine in 2012" (Press release). Travel-impact-newswire.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  244. ^ Israel and the Palestinian Territories. p. 254. Lonely Planet Publications. 2012
  245. ^ "Tourism in Palestine an Act of Solidarity, says Minister of Tourism". Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  246. ^ "Entering and Exiting Jerusalem, The west Bank, and Gaza". Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  247. ^ Chang, Angie (10 February 2022). "Entrepreneurship in Palestine". Medium. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  248. ^ a b c d "4.2 million cellular mobile subscriptions in Palestine, says Bureau of Statistics". WAFA. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  249. ^ "US$15 Million Investment in Information Technology to Boost High-Skilled Jobs for Palestinian Youth". WAFA. 15 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  250. ^ "Palestine Monetary Authority: Starting to Provide Electronic Payment Services in Palestine". PNN. May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  251. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Palestinian Banking Sector". This Week in Palestine. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  252. ^ "Brief Report on the Population of Palestine at the End of 2021". Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  253. ^ "Which countries are most densely populated?". Our World in Data. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  254. ^ "Trapped in Indefinite Exile: The History of Palestinian Refugees Over Last Seven Decades". The Wire. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  255. ^ "The Nakba did not start or end in 1948". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  256. ^ a b "Palestinian Expatriates". This Week in Palestine. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  257. ^ Jazeera, Al. "Al Nakba - PalestineRemix". remix.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  258. ^ "Palestinians in the Middle East: Where and how do they live? – DW – 11/29/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  259. ^ Ufheil-Somers, Amanda (4 May 1985). "The Palestinian Diaspora of the Gulf". MERIP. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  260. ^ PCBS. "PCBS – Population Projections". www.pcbs.gov.ps.
  261. ^ Jerusalem is disputed between Israel and Palestine, claimed as their capital by both. Palestine claims Jerusalem (specially East Jerusalem), including Haram al-Sharif as its capital. Jerusalem, including both East and West, have a population of 971,800 with 542,400 in East, which is recognized legally as part of Palestine
  262. ^ "Are all Palestinians Muslim?". Institute for Middle East Understanding. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  263. ^ Lybarger, Loren D. (2007). Identity and Religion in Palestine: The Struggle Between Islamism and Secularism in the Occupied Territories. Princeton University Press. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-691-12729-3.
  264. ^ "PA's Moderate Muslims Face Threats". Israel National News. 31 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  265. ^ "Religious Identity Among Muslims". Pewforum.org. 9 August 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  266. ^ Louis J. Salome (2010). Violence, Veils and Bloodlines: Reporting from War Zones. McFarland. pp. 77–. ISBN 978-0-7864-5584-3.
  267. ^ McCarthy, Rory (17 August 2009). "Fatah congress elects first Jewish-born member". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  268. ^ "جريدة القدس". www.alquds.com. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  269. ^ a b "Education (2014)" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. United Nations. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 March 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  270. ^ "Why Palestinians Are Known as the World's "Best Educated Refugees"Anne Irfan - Columbia University Press Blog". 23 August 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  271. ^ "The Palestinian education system". www.palestineembassy.vn. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  272. ^ "Palestine Education System". www.scholaro.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  273. ^ www.jmcc.org https://www.jmcc.org/fastfactspag.aspx?tname=64. Retrieved 21 March 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  274. ^ "Educational Challenges in Palestine -". 4 May 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  275. ^ "Education System in Palestine Primary Secondary Territory". www.palestineeducation.info. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  276. ^ "State of Palestine | NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION | Education Profiles". education-profiles.org. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  277. ^ "Study in Palestine | THE World University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 16 February 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  278. ^ "Education sector". www.pipa.ps. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  279. ^ "Number of Schools in Palestine by Region and Governorate for the scholastic years 2014/2015 - 2018/2019". www.pcbs.gov.ps. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  280. ^ Jordan, Masri (28 August 2023). "Al-Quds University Achieves 5 Star Rating in QS World University Rankings". Munib and Angela Masri Foundation (MAF). Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  281. ^ "An-Najah National University - An-Najah is Ranked in the Clinical and Health Subject Ranking at the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject".
  282. ^ "جريدة القدس". www.alquds.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  283. ^ aqu2020 (11 February 2024). "Al-Quds University Ranks First among Palestinians in the QS Sustainable Development Classification". Al-Quds University. Retrieved 21 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  284. ^ aqu2020 (22 June 2023). "Al-Quds University Wins a Five Star Rating in all QS International Indicators as the First University in the History of Palestinian Higher Education". Al-Quds University. Retrieved 21 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  285. ^ "Distribution of Schools in Palestine by Supervising Authority, Region and Governorate, for Scholastic Years 2011/2012-2022/2023". www.pcbs.gov.ps. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  286. ^ admin (11 June 2018). "Palestine's Birzeit University Ranked as One of the Top Universities in the World". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  287. ^ "Overview of Public Health in Palestine". Palestinian National Institute of Public Health. 2018. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  288. ^ "WHO | About Us". WHO. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  289. ^ "Health Cluster OPT". healthclusteropt.org. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  290. ^ "Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan" (PDF). WHO. 1 May 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  291. ^ "Country cooperation strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2017–2020" (PDF). WHO. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  292. ^ "Palestinian Culture - Core Concepts". Cultural Atlas. 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  293. ^ "The Palestine Festival of Literature". The Palestine Festival of Literature احتفالية فلسطين للأدب. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  294. ^ "Triangle Network | Triangle Network". www.trianglenetwork.org. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  295. ^ "Jerusalem is sacred place for Jews, Muslims, Christians". AP News. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  296. ^ "Jericho | Facts & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 26 December 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  297. ^ "Sebastia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  298. ^ "What Is the Significance of the City of Bethlehem in the Bible?". Christianity.com. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  299. ^ Febles, Kaitlin Miller (16 December 2021). "Bethlehem: Little Town, Big Significance". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  300. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "The Power of Palestinian Architecture: Transforming the Landscape 2023". 16 October 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  301. ^ Lawson-Tancred, Jo (22 February 2024). "The West Bank's Palestinian Museum Reopens After Four Months". Artnet News. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  302. ^ "Palestinian Museum". Cultural Innovations. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  303. ^ Ditmars, Hadani (19 February 2024). "Palestinian Museum in West Bank Reopens After Months of Closure". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  304. ^ "The Palestinian National Theatre El-Hakawati". www.jerusalemstory.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  305. ^ "Palestinian Music". Interactive Encyclopedia of the Palestine Question – palquest. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  306. ^ Shurrab, Hatem. "Love, loss, longing: How Palestinian musicians are reviving old folk songs". Love, loss, longing: How Palestinian musicians are reviving old folk songs. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  307. ^ Saeed, Saeed (30 December 2023). "Ten songs calling for peace in Palestine". The National. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  308. ^ Alhelou, Yousef. "Israel and the UAE collude to silence a Palestinian singer". Israel and the UAE collude to silence a Palestinian singer. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  309. ^ a b c "UNESCO - Dabkeh, traditional dance in Palestine". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  310. ^ a b c "Culture". Palestine Australia. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  311. ^ "Palestinian Hip Hop artists and listeners — Musicalyst". musicalyst.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  312. ^ Medithi, Vivian (21 November 2023). "A glimpse of Palestinian hip-hop". No Bells. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  313. ^ "Shadia Mansour - The First Lady of Arabic hip hop". www.radionisaa.ps. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  314. ^ admin (17 January 2006). ""Paradise Now" wins Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  315. ^ Reiff, Ben (16 August 2023). "At local festivals, Palestinian cinema steps out of its comfort zone". +972 Magazine. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  316. ^ a b c "Palestine Cinema". www.palestinecinema.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  317. ^ "Makram Khoury - Actor Filmography، photos، Video". elCinema.com. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  318. ^ "14 Palestinian Celebrities You Should Know". Ranker. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  319. ^ "Seven Years, '5 Broken Cameras': Documenting the Occupation". International Documentary Association. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  320. ^ "Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam". thepffa.nl. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  321. ^ "Home Page". Palestinian Film Festival. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  322. ^ Khalidi, Issam; Raab, Alon K. (2018). "Palestine and the Olympics: a history / Issam Khalidi, Alon K. Raab". Palestine and the Olympics: A History / Issam Khalidi, Alon K. Raab. International journal of the history of sport.
  323. ^ "Palestine Handball Federation". Asian Handball Federation. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  324. ^ "About Palestine >> Culture". palestine-australia.com. Embassy of the State of Palestine (The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific). Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023. The most popular sport in Palestine is football
  325. ^ Adil, Hafsa. "Palestine bow out of Asian Cup after spirited display against Qatar". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  326. ^ "Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium | Palestine, Palestine, Jabal Al Mukaber, Shabab Al Am'ari, Hilal Al-Quds • Stats". www.onlinebettingacademy.com. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  327. ^ [httpss://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2008-10-19/others/palestine-to-play-first-match-in-home-stadium-214806/ "Palestine To play first match in home stadium - The Malta Independent"]. www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  328. ^ "Palestinian football set for the future with refreshed stadium and new modern facilities". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

32°00′N 35°15′E / 32.000°N 35.250°E / 32.000; 35.250