{{Short description|Country in West Asia}} {{About|the country|the geographical region|Palestine (region)|other uses}} {{pp-move}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Use American English|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox country | conventional_long_name = State of Palestine | common_name = Palestine | native_name = {{nativename|ar|دولة فلسطين}}<br />{{transliteration|ar|Dawlat Filasṭīn}} | image_flag = Flag of Palestine.svg | image_coat = Coat of arms of Palestine.svg | symbol_width = 70px | national_anthem = {{lang|ar|فدائي}}<br/>({{lower|0.1em|''Fidāʾiyy''}}; "Warrior")<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{Center|File:Anthem of Palestine.ogg}}</div> | image_map = {{Switcher|frameless|Show globe|frameless|Map of Palestine}} | map_width = 220px | map_caption = {{Legend|#336830|Occupied Palestinian territories}} {{Legend|#61E760|Territory officially annexed by Israel}} | status = UN observer state{{efn|The United States, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, has consistently used its veto or threatened to do so to block Palestine's full membership to the UN.<ref name="United Nations" />}} under Israeli occupation<br />Recognized by 157 UN member states | capital = {{unbulleted list | item1_style=margin-bottom:2px;|Jerusalem (limited recognition){{efn|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 the Oslo I Accord, a few parts of Jerusalem were placed under the control of the Palestinian government, but did not resolve the overall status of Jerusalem.}} | Ramallah (''de facto'') }} | capital_type = {{unbulleted list | item1_style=margin-top:2px;margin-bottom:2px;|Capital | Administrative<br />center }} | largest_city = Gaza (before 2023), currently in flux<ref name="flux1">{{cite web|url= https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/140699#:~:text=ActionAid%3A%20Conditions%20in%20Rafah%20at,over%20one%20million%20displaced%20people | title= ActionAid: Conditions in Rafah at breaking point, with over one million displaced people |work=WAFA}}</ref><ref name="flux2">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/05/24/g-s1-741/rafah-gaza-israel-hamas-war |title=Nearly 1 million Palestinians are fleeing Rafah and northern Gaza|work=NPR|date=24 May 2024}}</ref> | official_languages = Arabic | ethnic_groups = {{ubl |91.2% Palestinian Arabs |8.8% Israeli Jews{{efn|Over 670,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank as of 2022; approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem as of 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/west-bank/#people-and-society|title=West Bank|date=17 October 2023|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=25 December 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722231029/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/west-bank/#people-and-society|url-status=dead}}</ref> These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Roberts |first1=Adam |author-link=Adam Roberts (scholar) |year=1990 |title=Prolonged Military Occupation: The Israeli-Occupied Territories Since 1967 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8aaa/455b51d4c49285089a97a08496071e322877.pdf |journal=The American Journal of International Law |volume=84 |issue=1 |pages=85–86 |doi=10.2307/2203016 |jstor=2203016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215100933/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/8aaa/455b51d4c49285089a97a08496071e322877.pdf |archive-date=2020-02-15 |quote=The international community has taken a critical view of both deportations and settlements as being contrary to international law. General Assembly resolutions have condemned the deportations since 1969, and have done so by overwhelming majorities in recent years. Likewise, they have consistently deplored the establishment of settlements, and have done so by overwhelming majorities throughout the period (since the end of 1976) of the rapid expansion in their numbers. The Security Council has also been critical of deportations and settlements; and other bodies have viewed them as an obstacle to peace, and illegal under international law... Although East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights have been brought directly under Israeli law, by acts that amount to annexation, both of these areas continue to be viewed by the international community as occupied, and their status as regards the applicability of international rules is in most respects identical to that of the West Bank and Gaza. |s2cid=145514740|issn=0002-9300}}</ref>}} }} | ethnic_groups_year = 2007 | ethnic_groups_ref = <ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524201914/https://theglobaleducationproject.org/mideast/info/cprofiles/palestine/palestine.html|archive-date=2007-05-24|title=PALESTINE (WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP)|website=The Global Education Project|url=https://theglobaleducationproject.org/mideast/info/cprofiles/palestine/palestine.html}}</ref> | religion = {{tree list}} * 80.73% Islam (official) ** 71.21% Sunni ** 0.09% Shia ** 9.42% other<ref>{{cite web|title=Association of Religion Data Archives-Islamic schismatics|url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/np-sort?var=ADH_512|quote=Islamic schismatics include Kharijite and other orthodox sects; reform movements (Sanusi, Mahdiya), also heterodox sects (Ahmadiya, Druzes, Sabbateans)}}</ref> * 13.07% Judaism{{efn|Israeli settlers under Israeli control}} * 0.88% Christianity * 0.05% Baháʼí Faith * 5.27% irreligion {{tree list/end}} | religion_year = 2020 | religion_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Occupied Palestinian Territories |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=114c |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Association of Religion Data Archives |language=en-gb}}</ref> | demonym = Palestinian | government_type = Unitary provisional semi-presidential republic<ref name=declaration1988>{{cite web|title=Declaration of Independence (1988) (UN Doc) |date=18 November 1988 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=State of Palestine Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations |url=http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/cache/offonce/pid/12353 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608203237/http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/cache/offonce/pid/12353 |archive-date=8 June 2014 |url-status=dead |publisher=United Nations }}</ref><!-- Articles in Wikipedia may not be used as citations; I have cited the published document --> under a Provisional Government<ref name="UN_RES_6719">{{UN doc |body=A |type=R |session=67 |resolution_number=19 |docid=A/RES/67/19 |url=https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/19862D03C564FA2C85257ACB004EE69B |title=Status of Palestine in the United Nations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012121039/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/19862D03C564FA2C85257ACB004EE69B |archive-date=12 October 2015 |date=29 November 2012|quote=Taking into consideration that the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in accordance with a decision by the Palestine National Council, is entrusted with the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of the State of Palestine}}</ref> | leader_title1 = President | leader_name1 = Mahmoud Abbas{{efn|name=PLOchair}} | leader_title2 = Vice President | leader_name2 = Hussein al-Sheikh | leader_title3 = Prime Minister | leader_name3 = Mohammad Mustafa | leader_title4 = Speaker of the Parliament | leader_name4 = Aziz Dweik | legislature = Legislative Council | sovereignty_type = Formation | established_event1 = Declaration of Independence | established_date1 = 15 November 1988 | established_event2 = Sovereignty dispute with Israel | established_date2 = Ongoing{{efn|name=control}}<ref>{{cite web|first1=Maayana |last1=Miskin |title=PA Weighs 'State of Palestine' Passport |date=5 December 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=Arutz Sheva |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162844 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207082503/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162844 |archive-date=7 December 2012 |url-status=live |quote=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. }}</ref><ref name="Limitations">{{cite news|title=State of Palestine name change shows limitations|url=https://news.yahoo.com/state-palestine-name-change-shows-limitations-200641448.html|agency=Associated Press|date=17 January 2013|quote=Israel remains in charge of territories the world says should one day make up that state.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110025703/http://news.yahoo.com/state-palestine-name-change-shows-limitations-200641448.html |archive-date=10 January 2013 }}</ref> | area_km2 = 6,020<ref name="UN Stats-2012">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012/Table03.pdf |chapter=Table 3, Population by sex, annual rate of population increase, surface area and density |title=Demographic Yearbook |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012.htm |date=2012 |publisher=United Nations Statistics Division |access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015114145/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012.htm |archive-date=15 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Area should match List of countries and dependencies by area --> | area_rank = 163rd<!-- Area rank should match List of countries and dependencies by area --> | area_footnote = | area_sq_mi = 2,320<!-- Area should match List of countries and dependencies by area --> | percent_water = 3.5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/west-bank/ |title=The World Factbook: Middle East: West Bank |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=8 June 2014 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722231029/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/west-bank/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | area_label2 = West Bank | area_data2 = 5,655{{spaces}}km{{sup|2}} | area_label3 = Gaza Strip | area_data3 = 365{{spaces}}km{{sup|2}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gaza-strip/ |title=The World Factbook: Middle East: Gaza Strip |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=8 June 2014 |archive-date=12 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112082940/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gaza-strip |url-status=dead }}</ref> | population_estimate = 5,483,450<ref name="census">{{cite web| url=https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/statisticsIndicatorsTables.aspx?lang=en&table_id=676| title=Estimated Population in the Palestine Mid-Year by Governorate, 1997–2026| publisher=Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics| access-date=7 December 2022| archive-date=7 December 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207112233/https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/statisticsIndicatorsTables.aspx?lang=en&table_id=676| url-status=live}}</ref> | population_estimate_year = 2023 | population_estimate_rank = 121st | population_census_year = | population_density_km2 = 731 | population_density_sq_mi = 1,895 | population_density_rank = | GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $36.391 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.PS">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=487,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Palestine) |website=IMF.org |publisher=International Monetary Fund |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023 |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023133432/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=487,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> | GDP_PPP_year = 2023 | GDP_PPP_rank = 138th | GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $6,642<ref name="IMFWEO.PS" /> | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 131st | GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $18.109 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.PS" /> | GDP_nominal_year = 2023 | GDP_nominal_rank = 121st | GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $3,464<ref name="IMFWEO.PS" /> | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 140th | Gini_year = 2016 | Gini_change = decrease<!--increase/decrease/steady--> | Gini = 33.7<!--number only--> | Gini_ref = <ref name=gini-index>{{cite web|title=GINI index coefficient: West Bank & Gaza|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/gini-index-coefficient-distribution-of-family-income/country-comparison|work=The World Factbook|access-date=12 August 2021|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630032239/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/gini-index-coefficient-distribution-of-family-income/country-comparison/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | HDI = 0.674<!--number only, between 0 and 1--> | HDI_year = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> | HDI_change = decrease<!--increase/decrease/steady--> | HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref> | HDI_rank = 133rd | currency = {{unbulleted list |Israeli new shekel|Jordanian dinar|Egyptian pound}}<ref>According to [https://web.archive.org/web/20161001065601/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%2BProcess/Guide%2Bto%2Bthe%2BPeace%2BProcess/Gaza-Jericho%2BAgreement%2BAnnex%2BIV%2B-%2BEconomic%2BProtoco.htm 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.</ref> | time_zone = Palestine Standard Time | utc_offset = +2 | utc_offset_DST = +3 | time_zone_DST = Palestine Summer Time | calling_code = +970, +972<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.972mag.com/about/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=+972 Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> | iso3166code = PS | cctld = .ps | footnote_a = | footnote_b = | footnote_c = }}
'''Palestine''',{{efn-lr|{{langx|ar|فلسطين|Filasṭīn}}, {{IPA|ar|fɪlasˈtˤiːn|pron|LL-Q13955 (ara)-AlNatiq-فلسطين.wav}}; {{langx|apc-Latn|label=Palestinian Arabic|Falasṭīn}}, {{IPA|apc|fɑlɑsˤˈtˤiːn|pron|LL-Q55633582 (ajp)-Khalil.rantissi-فلسطين.wav}}.}}{{efn|name=naming|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,<ref name=Bissiop433>{{cite book |title=The World: A Third World Guide 1995–96 |editor-last=Bissio |editor-first=Robert Remo |location=Montevideo |publisher=Instituto del Tercer Mundo |year=1995 |page=443 |isbn=978-0-85598-291-1}}</ref> and this should be distinguished from other homonymous uses for the term including the Palestinian Authority,<ref name=Pagep161>{{cite book|url={{Google books |id=78ACLNgHdf4C |page=161 |plainurl=yes }} |title=Middle East Review |last=Baroud |first=Ramzy |edition=27th |location=London |publisher=Kogan Page |year=2004 |page=161 |isbn=978-0-7494-4066-4}}</ref> the Palestine Liberation Organization,<ref name=GA43177 /> and the subjects of other proposals for the establishment of a Palestinian state.}} officially the '''State of Palestine''',{{efn-lr|{{langx|ar|دولة فلسطين|Dawlat Filasṭīn|links=no}}, {{IPA|ar|ˈdawlat fɪlasˈtˤiːn|pron}}.}} is a country in West Asia. It encompasses the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, both of which are occupied by Israel. These territories are collectively known as the '''Palestinian territories''', or '''occupied Palestinian territory'''. They share the vast majority of their borders with Israel, with the West Bank bordering Jordan to the east and the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt to the southwest. It has a total land area of {{Convert|6020|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} while its population exceeds five million. Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem, while Ramallah serves as its ''de facto'' administrative center. Gaza was its largest city prior to Israel's forced evacuations in 2023.<ref name="flux1" /><ref name="flux2" />
Situated at a continental crossroad, the Palestine region was ruled by various empires and experienced various demographic changes from antiquity to the modern era. It was treading ground for the Nile and Mesopotamian armies and merchants from North Africa, China and India. The region has religious significance. The ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict dates back to the rise of the Zionist movement, supported by the United Kingdom during World War I. The war saw Britain occupying Palestine from the Ottoman Empire, where it set up Mandatory Palestine under the auspices of the League of Nations. Increased Jewish immigration led to intercommunal conflict between Jews and Palestinian Arabs, which escalated into a civil war in 1947 after a proposed partitioning by the United Nations was rejected by the Palestinians and other Arab nations.
The 1948 Palestine war saw the forcible displacement of a majority of the Arab population, and consequently the establishment of Israel; these events are referred to by Palestinians as the Nakba ('catastrophe'). In the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which had been held by Jordan and Egypt respectively. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared independence in 1988. In 1993, the PLO signed the Oslo Accords with Israel, creating limited PLO governance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through the Palestinian Authority (PA). Israel withdrew from Gaza in its unilateral disengagement in 2005. In 2007, internal divisions between political factions led to a takeover of Gaza by Hamas. Since then, the West Bank has been governed in part by the Fatah-led PA, while the Gaza Strip has remained under the control of Hamas.
The Gaza Strip has long been subject to Israeli military occupation and an illegal blockade. Israel has also constructed large settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967, which currently house more than 737,000 Israeli settlers, which are illegal under international law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2025 |title=STATE OF PALESTINE: Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session58/a-hrc-58-73-infographic-march2025.pdf |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights}}</ref> Following the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza that has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, caused mass population displacement, a humanitarian crisis, and a famine in the Gaza Strip,<ref name="Dannenbaum_Dill_2024">{{cite journal |doi=10.1017/ajil.2024.53 |title=International Law in Gaza: Belligerent Intent and Provisional Measures |date=2024 |last1=Dannenbaum |first1=Tom |last2=Dill |first2=Janina |journal=American Journal of International Law |volume=118 |issue=4 |pages=659–683 |url=https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:9f903ef4-702f-4391-ab59-4e7506124964 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="IPC_22_August_2025">{{cite web |title=GAZA STRIP: Famine confirmed in Gaza Governorate, projected to expand {{pipe}} 1 July - 30 September 2025 |url=https://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/IPC_Gaza_Strip_Acute_Food_Insecurity_Malnutrition_July_Sept2025_Special_Snapshot.pdf |website=Integrated Food Security Phase Classification |date=22 August 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Gaza no longer in famine after aid access improves, hunger monitor says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-no-longer-has-famine-says-global-hunger-monitor-2025-12-19/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221181509/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-no-longer-has-famine-says-global-hunger-monitor-2025-12-19/ |archive-date=21 December 2025 |access-date=2026-03-27 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> and has committed genocide against the Palestinian people.<ref name="genocide2" /><ref name="genocide_int_law_scholars2" /><ref name=":2" />
Palestine is a permanent non-member observer state at the United Nations (UN) and is recognized as a sovereign state by 157 of the UN's 193 member states.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-18 |title=Palestine's status at the UN explained {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148351 |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|This limited status is largely due to the fact that the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, has consistently blocked Palestine's full UN membership}} The questions of Palestine's borders, legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem, and the right of return of Palestinian refugees remain unsolved. Some of the other challenges to Palestine include restrictions on movement, ineffective government and Israeli settlements and settler violence, as well as an overall poor security situation. Despite these challenges, the country maintains an emerging economy and sees frequent tourism. Arabic is the official language of the country. While the majority of Palestinians practice Islam, Christianity also has a presence. Palestine is also a member of several international organizations, including the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, UNESCO,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/countries/ps|title=State of Palestine}}</ref> and a delegation of parliamentarians sit at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/un-agenda-2030/goal-16|title=16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels - Council of Europe Contribution to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals - www.coe.int|website=Council of Europe Contribution to the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals}}</ref>
== Etymology == {{Further|Palestine (region)#Etymology|Timeline of the name Palestine{{!}}Timeline of the name ''Palestine''}} The term "Palestine" (in Latin, ''Palæstina'') comes via ancient Greek from a Semitic toponym for the general area dating back to the late second millennium BCE, a reflex of which is also to be found in the Biblical ethnonym Philistines. The term "Palestine" has been used to refer to the area at the southeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea beside Syria. In the 5th century BCE, Herodotus, in his work ''The Histories'', used the term to describe a "district of Syria, called ''Palaistínē''" ({{langx|grc|Συρίη ἡ Παλαιστίνη καλεομένη}}),<ref>{{Cite web | title = Herodotus, The Histories, book 3, chapter 91, section 1 | url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0125:book=3:chapter=91:section=1 | ref = {{harvid|Herodotus 3:91:1}}}}</ref> in which Phoenicians interacted with other maritime peoples.<ref name="Masalha2018">{{cite book|last =Masalha|first =Nur|author-link=Nur Masalha|title=Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNvVAQAACAAJ|date=15 August 2018|publisher=Zed Books|page=22|isbn=978-1-78699-273-4}}</ref>
Currently, the terms "Palestine", "State of Palestine", and "occupied Palestinian territory (oPt or OPT)" are interchangeable 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. Palestine can, depending on contexts, be referred to as a country or a state, and its authorities can generally be identified as the Government of Palestine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=United |date=20 September 2022 |title=United Nations Common Country Analysis for the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://palestine.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/United%20Nations%20Common%20Country%20Analysis%20for%20the%20Occupied%20Palestinian%20Territory.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318122526/https://palestine.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/United%20Nations%20Common%20Country%20Analysis%20for%20the%20Occupied%20Palestinian%20Territory.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2024 |page=xi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/CCA_Report_En.pdf |title=Common Country Analysis 2016: Leave No One Behind: A Perspective on Vulnerability and Structural Disadvantage in Palestine |publisher=United Nations Country Team Occupied Palestinian Territory |year=2016 |page=9 |access-date=25 November 2019 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120000359/https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/CCA_Report_En.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == {{Main|History of Palestine|History of Palestinian statehood}}
{{See also|History of the ancient Levant}}
=== From prehistory to the Ottoman era === {{Excerpt|History of Palestine|only=paragraphs|paragraphs=1-4}}
=== Rise of Palestinian nationalism === {{Undue weight section|date=March 2026}} Though Palestinian elites, in particular urban notable families who worked within the Ottoman bureaucracy, generally retained their loyalty to the Ottomans, they also played a significant role proportionately in the rise of Arab nationalism, and the Pan-Arabic movements that arose in response to both the emergence of the Young Turks movement and the subsequent weakening of Ottoman power in World War I.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Muhammad |last=Muslih|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2536721|title=Arab Politics and the Rise of Palestinian Nationalism|journal= Journal of Palestine Studies|date=1987 |volume=16, No. 4 Summer, 1987|issue=4 |pages= 77–94, 80–82, 87 |doi=10.2307/2536721 |jstor=2536721 }}</ref> The onset of the Zionist movement, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, also exercised a strong influence on Palestinian national consciousness.<ref name="As">As'ad Ghanem, ['Palestinian Nationalism: An Overview,'] Israel Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2 Summer 2013, pp.11–29, p.12</ref>
Abdul Hamid, the last sultan of the Ottoman Empire to exert effective control over a fracturing state, opposed the Zionist movement's efforts in Palestine. The end of the Ottoman Empire's rule in Palestine coincided with the conclusion of World War I. The failure of Emir Faisal to establish a Greater Syria in the face of French and British colonial claims to the area, also shaped Palestinian elites' efforts to secure local autonomy.<ref name="As"/> In the aftermath of the war, Palestine came under British control with the implementation of the British Mandate for Palestine in 1920.<ref>{{Cite web |title=40 Years of Israeli Occupation |url=https://www.arij.org/atlas40/intro.html#:~:text=In%201917,%20the%20British%20forces,of%20Megiddo%20in%20September%201918. |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=arij.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=14 September 2017 |title=Remembering the Ottoman Empire in Palestine |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/remembering-the-ottoman-empire-in-palestine/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=Palestine Chronicle}}</ref>
=== British Mandate === {{Main|Mandatory Palestine}}
[[File:Dayr Yassin (cropped).jpg|thumb|Deir Yassin massacre of Palestinian villagers was carried out by Zionist militias, the Irgun and Lehi during the 1948 Palestine war.]] The defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I resulted in the dismantling of their rule. In 1920, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine, leading to the subsequent period of British administration. In 1917, Jerusalem was captured by British forces led by General Allenby, marking the end of Ottoman rule in the city.<ref name="The Guardian-2001">{{Cite news |date=31 May 2001 |title=The Mandate years: colonialism and the creation of Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2001/may/31/londonreviewofbooks |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> By 1920, tensions escalated between Jewish and Arab communities, resulting in violent clashes and riots across Palestine.<ref name="The Guardian-2001" />
The League of Nations approved the British Mandate for Palestine in 1922, entrusting Britain with the administration of the region. Throughout the 1920s, Palestine experienced growing resistance from both Jewish and Arab nationalist movements, which manifested in sporadic violence and protests against British policies. In 1929, violent riots erupted in Palestine due to disputes over Jewish immigration and access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.<ref name="The Guardian-2001" />
The 1930s witnessed the outbreak of the Arab Revolt, as Arab nationalists demanded an end to Jewish immigration and the establishment of an independent Arab state. In response to the Arab Revolt, the British deployed military forces and implemented stringent security measures in an effort to quell the uprising.<ref name="The Guardian-2001" />
Arab nationalist groups, led by the Arab Higher Committee, called for an end to Jewish immigration and land sales to Jews. The issuance of the 1939 White Paper by the British government aimed to address escalating tensions between Arabs and Jews in Palestine. This policy document imposed restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchases, with the intention to limit the establishment of a Jewish state. Met with strong opposition from the Zionist movement, the White Paper was perceived as a betrayal of the Balfour Declaration and Zionist aspirations for a Jewish homeland.<ref name="TheCollector-2024">{{Cite web |date=27 May 2024 |title=British-Controlled Mandatory Palestine (1920–1948): A History |url=https://www.thecollector.com/british-controlled-mandatory-palestine/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |website=TheCollector}}</ref>
In response to the White Paper, the Zionist community in Palestine organized a strike in 1939, rallying against the restrictions on Jewish immigration and land acquisition. This anti-White Paper strike involved demonstrations, civil disobedience, and a shutdown of businesses. Supported by various Zionist organizations, including the Jewish Agency and the Histadrut (General Federation of Jewish Labor), the anti-White Paper strike aimed to protest and challenge the limitations imposed by the British government.<ref name="TheCollector-2024" />
In the late 1930s and 1940s, several Zionist militant groups, including the Irgun, Hagana, and Lehi, carried out acts of violence against British military and civilian targets in their pursuit of an independent Jewish state.<ref name="TheCollector-2024" /> Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, who later became Prime Ministers of Israel, were behind these terrorist attacks.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1648194|title=Menahem Begin, from Terrorism to Power|via=www.palestine-studies.org}}</ref> In 1946, a bombing orchestrated by the Irgun at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem resulted in the deaths of 91 people, including British officials, civilians, and hotel staff.<ref name="TheCollector-2024" />
thumb|Mandatory Palestine in 1946
The Exodus 1947 incident unfolded when a ship carrying Jewish Holocaust survivors, who sought refuge in Palestine, was intercepted by the British navy, leading to clashes and the eventual deportation of the refugees back to Europe. During World War II, Palestine served as a strategically significant location for British military operations against Axis forces in North Africa.<ref name="TheCollector-2024" /> The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, collaborated with Nazi Germany while in exile during World War II.{{sfn|Sells|2015|p=725}}
=== Arab–Israeli wars === {{Further|1948 Palestine war|1967 Arab-Israeli war}}
In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine, suggesting separate Jewish and Arab states, but it was rejected by the Palestinians and by neighboring Arab nations, leading to the outbreak of a civil war in Palestine, the first phase of the broader 1948 Palestine war.<ref name="TheCollector-2024"/>
During the war, Israel gained additional territories that were designated to be part of the Arab state under the UN plan. On May 14, 1948, 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. The neighboring Arab states of Transjordan, Egypt, and the other members of the Arab League of the time entered the war in Palestine beginning the 1948 Arab–Israeli war.
By the end of the war, 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.
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.<ref>Laron, G. (2017). [https://books.google.co.il/books?id=ys4CDgAAQBAJ&lpg=PR7&ots=EH-bt8Ery-&dq=six%20day%20war&lr&pg=PP1 ''The Six Day War: The Breaking of the Middle East''.] Yale University Press.</ref> Following the Six-Day War, the PLO moved to Jordan, but relocated to Lebanon in 1971.<ref>Singh, S. (2015). [http://scientificresearchjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Social-Science-2_A-135-145-Full-Paper.pdf Black September: A turning point in the Palestinian national movement]. ''International journal of applied social science'', ''2''(5/6), 135-145.</ref>
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".<ref>{{cite book |last=al Madfai |first=Madiha Rashid |year=1993 |title=Jordan, the United States and the Middle East Peace Process, 1974–1991 |series=Cambridge Middle East Library |volume=28 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-41523-1 |page=21}}</ref> 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.<ref name=GA3237>{{UN document |docid=A/RES/3237(XXIX) |body=A |type=R |session=29 |resolution_number=3237 (XXIX) |title=Observer status for the Palestine Liberation Organization |date=22 November 1974 |meeting=2296th plenary meeting |access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Isolated States: A Comparative Analysis |series=Cambridge Studies in International Relations |volume=15 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld/page/155 155] |author=Geldenhuys, Deon |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-521-40268-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld/page/155 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arij.org/atlas40/chapter2.3.html|title=40 Years of Israeli Occupation|work=arij.org|access-date=19 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718173049/http://www.arij.org/atlas40/chapter2.3.html|archive-date=18 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Uprising, declaration and peace treaty === The First Intifada broke out in 1987, characterized by widespread protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank against Israeli occupation. 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.<ref name="GA43177">{{UN document|docid=A/RES/43/117|body=A|type=R|session=43|resolution_number=43/117|title=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|date=8 December 1988|meeting=75th plenary meeting|access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="Hillier-1998">{{cite book |last1=Hillier |first1=Tim |url={{Google books |id=ukWq9mMUeesC |page=205 |plainurl=yes }} |title=Sourcebook on Public International Law |date=1998 |publisher=Cavendish Publishing |isbn=978-1-84314-380-2 |series=Cavendish Publishing sourcebook |pages=205 |access-date=8 June 2014}}</ref>
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.<ref name="GA43177" /><ref name="Hillier-1998" /> In spite of this decision, the PLO did not participate at the UN in its capacity of the State of Palestine's government.<ref>{{UN document|docid=A/55/PV.54|body=A|type=A|session=55|document_number=36|title=Bethlehem 2000 Draft resolution (A/55/L.3)|page=10|meeting=54th plenary meeting|date=7 November 2000|meetingtime=3 p.m.|speakername=Al-Kidwa, Nasser (Palestine)|language=Arabic|access-date=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."</ref> Violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces intensified throughout 1989, resulting in a significant loss of life and escalating tensions in the occupied territories. 1990 witnessed the imposition of strict measures by the Israeli government, including curfews and closures, in an attempt to suppress the Intifada and maintain control over the occupied territories.<ref name="Hillier-1998" />
[[File:Intifada in Gaza Strip (FL45956496).jpg|thumb|The First Intifada in Gaza, 1987]] The 1990–1991 Gulf War brought increased attention to the conflict, leading to heightened diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution.<ref name="The Washington Post-2024">{{Cite news |date=2 January 2024 |title=Opinion {{!}} WHY ARAFAT BACKED SADDAM |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1990/08/26/why-arafat-backed-saddam/904a9366-c1e0-4294-ab64-1391b0e3b452/ |access-date=15 June 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name="MIFTAH">{{Cite web |title=MIFTAH – Palestine and Iraq |url=http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=3335&CategoryId=8 |access-date=15 June 2024 |website=MIFTAH}}</ref> Saddam Hussein was a supporter of Palestinian cause and won support from Arafat during the war. Following the invasion of Kuwait, Saddam surprised the international community by presenting a peace offer to Israel and withdrawing Iraqi forces from Kuwait, in exchange of withdrawal from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights.<ref name="The Washington Post-2024" /><ref name="MIFTAH" /> The peace offer was rejected, and Saddam then ordered firing of scud missiles into Israeli territory. This movement was supported by Palestinians. The war also led to the expulsion of Palestinians from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as their government supported Iraq.<ref name="The Washington Post-2024" /><ref name="MIFTAH" />
In 1993, the Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and a potential path to peace.<ref name="Murphy-1993">{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Kim |date=10 September 1993 |title=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. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-10-mn-33546-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423205723/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-10/news/mn-33546_1_mutual-recognition |archive-date=23 April 2010 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Yasser Arafat was elected as president of the newly formed Palestinian Authority in 1994, marking a significant step towards self-governance.{{efn|name=control}}
[[File:Leader of the PLO, Yasser Arafat, 1996 Dan Hadani Archive.jpg|thumb|Yasser Arafat was the first president of Palestine, serving from 1989 to 2004.]] 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".<ref name="Murphy-1993"/> As a result, in 1994 the PLO established the Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) territorial administration, that exercises some governmental functions{{efn|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,<ref name=GazaSeaAir>[http://www.btselem.org/english/Gaza_Strip/Control_on_Air_space_and_territorial_waters.asp Israel's control of the airspace and the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605005942/http://www.btselem.org/english/Gaza_Strip/Control_on_Air_space_and_territorial_waters.asp |date=5 June 2011 }}.</ref> sea beyond internal waters,<ref name=GazaSeaAir /><ref>[http://dissidentvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Gaza-map-08s-fishing-limits-20090119.jpg Map of Gaza fishing limits, "security zones"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726000805/http://dissidentvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Gaza-map-08s-fishing-limits-20090119.jpg |date=26 July 2011 }}.</ref> land<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/Israels+Disengagement+Plan-+Renewing+the+Peace+Process+Apr+2005.htm Israel's Disengagement Plan: Renewing the Peace Process] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302014936/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Israels%20Disengagement%20Plan-%20Renewing%20the%20Peace%20Process%20Apr%202005.htm |date=2 March 2007 }}: "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."</ref>) in the Gaza Strip (its interior and Egypt portion of the land border are under Hamas control), and varying degrees of interference elsewhere.<ref name=HumanRightsWatch>{{cite web |title=Israel: 'Disengagement' Will Not End Gaza Occupation |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=29 October 2004 |url=https://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/29/isrlpa9577.htm |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101210931/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/29/isrlpa9577.htm |archive-date=1 November 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Gold, Dore |title=Legal Acrobatics: The Palestinian Claim that Gaza Is Still 'Occupied' Even After Israel Withdraws |journal=Jerusalem Issue Brief |volume=5 |issue=3 |publisher=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs |date=26 August 2005 |url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-3.htm |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621082606/http://jcpa.org/brief/brief005-3.htm |archive-date=21 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Bell, Abraham |title=International Law and Gaza: The Assault on Israel's Right to Self-Defense |journal=Jerusalem Issue Brief |volume=7 |issue=29 |publisher=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs |date=28 January 2008 |url=http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief005-3.htm |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621082606/http://jcpa.org/brief/brief005-3.htm |archive-date=21 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Transcript |title=Address by FM Livni to the 8th Herzliya Conference |publisher=Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=22 January 2008 |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2008/Address+by+FM+Livni+to+the+8th+Herzliya+Conference+22-Jan-2008.htm?DisplayMode=print |access-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026025009/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches%2Bby%2BIsraeli%2Bleaders/2008/Address%2Bby%2BFM%2BLivni%2Bto%2Bthe%2B8th%2BHerzliya%2BConference%2B22-Jan-2008.htm?DisplayMode=print |archive-date=26 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Salih, Zak M. |title=Panelists Disagree Over Gaza's Occupation Status |publisher=University of Virginia School of Law |date=17 November 2005 |url=http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2005_fall/gaza.htm |access-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200844/http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2005_fall/gaza.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> See also ''Israeli-occupied territories''.|name=control}} in parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 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.<ref name="GA52250">{{UN document|docid=A/RES/52/250|body=A|type=R|session=52|resolution_number=52/250|title=Participation of Palestine in the work of the United Nations|date=13 July 1998}}</ref><ref name="ICJ-2004">{{cite web |date=30 January 2004 |title=Written Statement Submitted by Palestine |url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/131/1555.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205004758/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/131/1555.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2009 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=International Court of Justice (ICJ) |pages=44–49 |postscript=none}}, in {{cite web |date=10 December 2003 |title=Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Index) |url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=mwp&case=131&k=5a&p3=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007033944/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&code=mwp&case=131&k=5a&p3=0 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=International Court of Justice |postscript=none}}, referred to the ICJ by {{UN document|docid=A/RES/ES-10/14|body=A|type=R|resolution_number=ES-10/14|document_number=Agenda item 5|title=Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory|date=12 December 2003|meeting=Tenth emergency special session; 23rd plenary meeting|access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref> It was given civilian control in Area B and civilian and security control in Area A, and remained without involvement in Area C.<ref name="ICJ-2004" /> [[File:Clashes_following_the_Cave_of_the_Patriarchs_massacre,_1994_Dan_Hadani_Archive_V.jpg|thumb|Friday prayer in Jerusalem after the 1994 Cave of the Patriarchs massacre]] The peace process gained opposition from both Palestinians and Israelis. Islamist militant organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad opposed the attack and responded by conducting attacks on civilians across Israel. In 1994, Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli extremist shot 29 people to death in Hebron, known as the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre. These events led an increase in Palestinian opposition to the peace process. In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, causing political instability in the region.
The first-ever Palestinian general elections took place in 1996, resulting in Arafat's re-election as president and the formation of a Palestinian Legislative Council. Initiating the implementation of the Oslo Accords, Israel began redeploying its forces from select Palestinian cities in the West Bank in 1997. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority continued, albeit with slow progress and contentious debates on Jerusalem, settlements, and refugees in 1998.<ref name="EB-2024b">{{Cite web |title=Israel – Netanyahu, Politics, Middle East {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Israel/The-second-intifada |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
In 1997, Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian government signed the Hebron Protocol, which outlined the redeployment of Israeli forces from parts of Hebron in the West Bank, granting the government greater control over the city. Israel and the Palestinian government signed the Wye River Memorandum in 1998, aiming to advance the implementation of the Oslo Accords. The agreement included provisions for Israeli withdrawals and security cooperation.<ref name="EB-2024b" /><ref name="churchtimes.co.uk">{{Cite web |title=Siege of the Church of the Nativity recalled: 'It was a battle to stay alive' |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/22-april/news/world/siege-of-the-church-of-the-nativity-recalled-it-was-a-battle-to-stay-alive |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>
The period of the Oslo Years brought a great prosperity to the government-controlled areas, despite some economic issues. The Palestinian Authority built the country's second airport in Gaza, after the Jerusalem International Airport. Inaugural ceremony of the airport was attended by Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. In 1999, Ehud Barak assumed the position of Israeli Prime Minister, renewing efforts to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians. The Camp David Summit in 2000 aimed to resolve the remaining issues but concluded without a comprehensive agreement, serving as a milestone in the peace process.
=== Second intifada and civil war === {{Further|Second Intifada|Fatah–Hamas conflict|Battle of Gaza (2007)}}
thumb|Civil unrest in Hebron, 2000 A peace summit between Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak was mediated by Bill Clinton in 2000. It was intended to be the final agreement, permanently ending conflict; however, the agreement failed to address the Palestinian refugee issues, the status of Jerusalem and Israeli security concerns. Both sides blamed each other for the summit failures. This became one of the main triggers for the resulting uprising.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20050928">{{Cite web |title=Al-Aqsa intifada timeline |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/9/28/al-aqsa-intifada-timeline |access-date=10 June 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name="BBC-ME-3677206">{{Cite news |date=29 September 2004 |title=Al-Aqsa Intifada timeline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3677206.stm |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref>
In September 2000, then opposition leader from the Likud Party, Ariel Sharon, made a proactive visit to the Temple Mount and delivered a controversial speech, which angered Palestinian Jerusalemites. The tensions escalated into riots. Bloody clashes took place around Jerusalem. Escalating violence resulted in the closure of Jerusalem Airport, which has not operated to date. More and more riots between Jews and Arabs took place in October 2000 in Israel.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20050928" /><ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" />
thumb|The Church of the Nativity under siege in 2002 In the same month, two Israeli soldiers were lynched and killed in Ramallah. Between November and December clashes between Palestinians and Israelis increased further. In 2001 the Taba summit was held between Israel and Palestine, but the summit failed and Ariel Sharon became prime minister in the 2001 elections. By 2001, attacks by Palestinian militant groups on Israel increased. Gaza Airport was destroyed in an airstrike by the Israeli army in 2001, with Israel claiming this was retaliation for previous attacks by Hamas.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20050928" /><ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" />
In January 2002, the IDF Shayetet 13 naval commandos captured the ''Karine A'', a freighter carrying weapons from Iran towards Israel. UNSC Resolution 1397 was passed, which reaffirmed a two-state solution and laid the groundwork for a road map for peace. Another attack by Hamas left 30 people killed in Netanya.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20050928" /> During a peace summit in Beirut, a proposal for an end to the Arab–Israeli conflict was unanimously endorsed by all Arab League members,<ref name=shadow>[http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s516352.htm Latest suicide attack overshadows Arab summit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205172923/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s516352.htm |date=December 5, 2007 }}. ''Lateline''. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Program originally broadcast March 28, 2002.</ref> but rejected by Israel.<ref name=relaunch>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6501573.stm Arab leaders relaunch peace plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219123330/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6501573.stm |date=December 19, 2008 }}. BBC News. March 28, 2007.</ref>
In 2002, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield after the Passover massacre. Heavy fighting between IDF and Palestinian fighters took place in Jenin.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" /><ref name="churchtimes.co.uk" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=10 May 2002 |title=Church siege ending after 39 days |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/10/israel.cyprus |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The Church of the Nativity was besieged by the IDF for one week until successful negotiations took place, which resulted in withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the church. Between 2003 and 2004, people from Qawasameh tribe in Hebron were either killed or blew themselves up in suicide bombing.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" /><ref name="EB-2024b" /> Ariel Sharon ordered construction of barriers across Palestinian-controlled areas and Israeli settlements in the West Bank to prevent future attacks.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" />
Saddam Hussein provided financial support to Palestinian militants from Iraq during the intifada period, from 2000 until his overthrow in 2003. A peace proposal was made in 2003, which was supported by Arafat and rejected by Sharon. In 2004 Hamas's leader and co-founder, Ahmed Yassin, was assassinated by the Israeli army in Gaza.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" /><ref name="EB-2024b" /> Yasser Arafat was confined to his headquarters in Ramallah. On 11 November, Yasser Arafat died in Paris.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" />
[[File:Demonstration against road block, Kafr Qaddum, March 2012 3.JPG|thumb|A demonstration against a road block, Kafr Qaddum, March 2012]] In the first week of 2005, Mahmoud Abbas was elected as the president of the State of Palestine. In 2005, Israel completely withdrew from the Gaza Strip by destroying its settlements there. By 2005, the situation began de-escalating.<ref name="BBC-ME-3677206" /> In 2006, Hamas won in Palestinian legislative elections. This led to a political standoff with Fatah. Armed clashes took place across both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The clashes turned into a civil war, which ended in bloody clashes on the Gaza Strip. As a result, Hamas gained control over all the territory of Gaza.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20110504">{{Cite web |title=Timeline: Hamas-Fatah conflict |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/5/4/timeline-hamas-fatah-conflict |access-date=10 June 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
Hundreds of people were killed in the civil war, including militants and civilians. Since then Hamas has gained more independence in its military practices. Since 2007, Israel has been leading a partial blockade on Gaza. Another peace summit was organized by the Arab League in 2007, with the same offer which was presented at the 2002 summit. However, the peace process could not progress.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20110504" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2024 |title=Israel-Hamas war: Fatah and Hamas step up contacts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/02/20/israel-hamas-war-fatah-and-the-islamist-movement-increase-contacts-in-view-of-palestinian-reconciliation_6541227_4.html |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=Le Monde}}</ref><ref name="alarabiya0701">{{cite news |date=7 January 2012 |title=Hamas leader's Tunisia visit angers Palestinian officials |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/07/186930.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108052540/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/07/186930.html |archive-date=8 January 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=Al Arabiya News |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP)}}</ref> The PNA gained full control of the Gaza Strip with the exception of its borders, airspace, and territorial waters.{{efn|name=control}}
=== Continued conflict === {{See also|Fatah–Hamas conflict|Battle of Gaza (2007)|Gaza–Israel conflict}}
[[File:Westbank Control & Access Restrictions Dec 2012.png|thumb|upright|Israeli settlements in the West Bank, 2012]] 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 June 2014 |title=Palestinian unity government sworn in by Mahmoud Abbas |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27660218 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603033348/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27660218 |archive-date=3 June 2014 |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=BBC News Middle East}}</ref>
Following the intra-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.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Black |first1=Ian |last2=Tran |first2=Mark |date=15 June 2007 |title=Hamas takes control of Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/15/israel4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831134036/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/15/israel4 |archive-date=31 August 2013 |access-date=11 October 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-us-policy-israeli-palestinian-conflict |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |date=12 July 2023 }}</ref>
Significant obstacles, such as settlement expansion, the status of Jerusalem, borders, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees, remained unresolved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |title=Palestinian right of return matters |url=https://www.slowboring.com/p/palestinian-right-of-return-matters |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=slowboring.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian areas amounts to war crime: UN |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/8/israeli-settlement-expansion-in-palestinian-areas-amounts-to-war-crime-un |access-date=4 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2020 |title=Israel's borders explained in maps |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54116567 |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DC |first=Arab Center Washington |date=28 March 2024 |title=Jerusalem's Status Quo Agreement: History and Challenges to Its Viability |url=https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/jerusalems-status-quo-agreement-history-and-challenges-to-its-viability/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Arab Center Washington DC}}</ref> In recent years, diplomatic initiatives have emerged, including the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, known as the Abraham Accords.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Abraham Accords |url=https://www.standwithus.com/theabrahamaccords |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=StandWithUs}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dpr 3 |date=3 April 2024 |title=History of the Question of Palestine |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/history/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Question of Palestine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 April 2024 |title=Spain to recognize Palestinian statehood by July |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-recognize-palestine-state-statehood-by-july-2024-foreign-minister-jose-manuel-albares/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Politico}}</ref> The status quo remains challenging for Palestinians, with ongoing issues of occupation, settlement expansion, restricted movement, and economic hardships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Palestinian Statehood Is a Question for the U.N. |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-palestinian-statehood-is-a-question-for-the-u-n/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Brookings}}</ref>
The Palestinian led October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023 were followed by the Gaza war. The war has caused widespread destruction, a humanitarian crisis, and an famine in the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Dannenbaum_Dill_2024"/><ref name="IPC_22_August_2025"/><ref name=":1" /> Most of the Palestinian population in Gaza was forcibly displaced.<ref name="Dannenbaum_Dill_2024"/> Since the start of the war, over 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, almost half of them women and children, and more than 148,000 injured.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 July 2025 |title=How many Palestinians has Israel's Gaza offensive killed|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-many-palestinians-has-israels-gaza-offensive-killed-2025-03-24/|access-date=29 July 2025|work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-death-toll-war-health-ministry-816d592952814db869924f9626ca8876|title=Over 60,000 Palestinians killed in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry says|date=29 July 2025|website=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 July 2025 |title=Reported impact snapshot {{pipe}} Gaza Strip (30 July 2025) |url=https://www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-30-july-2025 |work=Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs}}</ref> Israel has been accused of genocide against the Palestinian people during its ongoing invasion and bombing of the Gaza Strip.<ref name="genocide2">* {{cite book |last1=Dumper |first1=Michael |title=Routledge Handbook on Palestine |last2=Badran |first2=Amneh |date=2024 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781003031994 |editor-last1=Dumper |editor-first1=Michael |edition=1st |page=2 |chapter=Introduction |doi=10.4324/9781003031994 |quote=In this context we should not overlook the latest turning point in the history of Palestine – the attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023 on Israeli settlements adjacent to Gaza and the subsequent genocidal war that the state of Israel has carried out in the Gaza strip |editor-last2=Badran |editor-first2=Amneh}} * {{cite news |last=Speri |first=Alice |date=20 December 2024 |title=Defining genocide: how a rift over Gaza sparked a crisis among scholars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/20/genocide-definition-mass-violence-scholars-gaza |access-date=23 December 2024 |work=The Guardian}} * {{cite news |last1=Narea |first1=Nicole |date=25 October 2024 |title=Is Israel committing genocide? Reexamining the question, a year later. |url=https://www.vox.com/politics/378913/israel-gaza-genocide-icj |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241026082612/https://www.vox.com/politics/378913/israel-gaza-genocide-icj |archive-date=26 October 2024 |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=Vox}} * {{cite report |url=https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g24/046/11/pdf/g2404611.pdf |title=Anatomy of a Genocide: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese |last1=Albanese |first1=Francesca |author-link1=Francesca Albanese |date=25 March 2024 |publisher=United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories |page=1 |quote=By analysing the patterns of violence and Israeli policies in its onslaught on Gaza, the present report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating that Israel has committed genocide has been met}} * {{cite report |url=https://amnesty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amnesty-International-Gaza-Genocide-Report-December-4-2024.pdf |title='You Feel Like You Are Subhuman': Israel's Genocide Against Palestinians In Gaza |author=Amnesty International |author-link=Amnesty International |year=2024 |page=13 |quote=This report focuses on the Israeli authorities' policies and actions in Gaza as part of the military offensive they launched in the wake of the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023 while situating them within the broader context of Israel's unlawful occupation, and system of apartheid against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. It assesses allegations of violations and crimes under international law by Israel in Gaza within the framework of genocide under international law, concluding that there is sufficient evidence to believe that Israel's conduct in Gaza following 7 October 2023 amounts to genocide. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205121850/https://amnesty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amnesty-International-Gaza-Genocide-Report-December-4-2024.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2024 |url-status=live}} * {{cite book |last1=Traverso |first1=Enzo |author-link=Enzo Traverso |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7-8PEQAAQBAJ |title=Gaza Faces History |publisher=Other Press |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-63542-555-0 |page=8 |quote=The only normative definition we have, codified at the United Nations Genocide Convention of 1948, accurately describes the current situation in Palestine ... describes exactly what is happening in Gaza today}} * {{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=12 December 2024 |title=One year of denouncing the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza |url=https://www.fidh.org/en/region/north-africa-middle-east/israel-palestine/one-year-of-denouncing-the-genocide-of-palestinians-in-gaza |access-date=4 June 2025 |website=International Federation for Human Rights |quote=One year ago, the FIDH International Board, its governing body elected by all its member organisations, recognised, after extensive debate and examination, that Israel was carrying out genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza}} * {{Cite report |url=https://www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202507_our_genocide_eng.pdf |title=Our Genocide |author=B'Tselem |author-link1=B'Tselem |date=July 2025 |page=86 |quote=The review presented in this report leaves no room for doubt: since October 2023, the Israeli regime has been responsible for carrying out genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Killing tens of thousands of people; causing bodily or mental harm to hundreds of thousands more; destroying homes and civilian infrastructure on a massive scale; starvation, displacement, and denying humanitarian aid — all this is being perpetrated systematically, as part of a coordinated attack aimed at annihilating all facets of life in the Gaza Strip.}}</ref><ref name="genocide_int_law_scholars2">{{bulleted list|{{Cite news |last1=Mohyeldin |first1=Ayman |last2=Hamdan |first2=Basel |date=10 December 2024 |url=https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/israel-gaza-genocide-netanyahu-rcna183485 |title=Why Amnesty International and other experts say Israel is committing genocide in Gaza |work=MSNBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703062158/https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/israel-gaza-genocide-netanyahu-rcna183485 |archive-date=3 July 2025}}|{{Cite journal |last1=De Vogli |first1=Roberto |last2=Montomoli |first2=Jonathan |last3=Abu-Sittah |first3=Ghassan |last4=Pappé |first4=Ilan |author4-link=Ilan Pappé |date=2025 |title=Break the selective silence on the genocide in Gaza |journal=The Lancet |volume=406 |issue=10504 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01541-7 |at=[https://www.thelancet.com/cms/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01541-7/attachment/e415fdee-02dc-4495-8515-f587976a5bb3/mmc1.pdf Supplementary appendix pp. 3–4] |pmid=40752501 }}|{{cite news|last1=van Laarhoven |first1=Kasper |last2=Peek |first2=Eva |last3=Walters |first3=Derk |date=14 May 2025 |title=Zeven gerenommeerde wetenschappers vrijwel eensgezind: Israël pleegt in Gaza genocide |trans-title= |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/05/14/zeven-gerenommeerde-wetenschappers-vrijwel-eensgezind-israel-pleegt-in-gaza-genocide-a4893293 |access-date=27 May 2025 |newspaper=NRC |language=nl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515114020/https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/05/14/zeven-gerenommeerde-wetenschappers-vrijwel-eensgezind-israel-pleegt-in-gaza-genocide-a4893293 |archive-date=15 May 2025}}|{{Cite news |last1=Tharoor |first1=Ishaan |date=30 July 2025 |title=Leading genocide scholars see a genocide happening in Gaza |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/30/israel-genocide-gaza-scholars-historians |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2 August 2025}}}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title='It Is Important to Call a Genocide a Genocide', Consider Suspending Israel's Credential as UN Member State, Experts Tell Palestinian Rights Committee |url=https://press.un.org/en/2024/gapal1473.doc.htm |access-date=2025-02-22 |publisher=United Nations |archive-date=5 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241105122046/https://press.un.org/en/2024/gapal1473.doc.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> A study in ''The Lancet'' estimated 64,260 deaths in Gaza from traumatic injuries by June 2024, while noting a potentially larger death toll when "indirect" deaths are included.<ref name="Lancet2025">{{Cite journal|last1=Jamaluddine |first1=Zeina |last2=Abukmail |first2=Hanan |last3=Aly |first3=Sarah |last4=Campbell |first4=Oona M. R. |last5=Checchi |first5=Francesco |date=9 January 2025 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02678-3 |journal=The Lancet |publisher=Elsevier |title=Traumatic injury mortality in the Gaza Strip from Oct 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024: a capture–recapture analysis |volume=405 |issue=10477 |pages=469–477 |doi-access=free |pmid=39799952}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bloxham |first1=Donald |author-link=Donald Bloxham |date=3 April 2025 |title=The 7 October Atrocities and the Annihilation of Gaza: Causes and Responsibilities |journal=Journal of Genocide Research |volume=28 |issue=Forum: Israel–Palestine: Atrocity Crimes and the Crisis of Holocaust and Genocide Studies |doi=10.1080/14623528.2025.2483546 |s2cid= |doi-access=free |pages=23–24 |quote=A study of traumatic injury deaths in Gaza in The Lancet using multiple data sources and capture-recapture analysis suggested that the MoH's methods, far from producing an exaggerated number, actually under-estimated the death toll by around 41 percent. ... When considering the total 'excess mortality,' we need to add the Palestinians who have died because of the blockade in combination with the IDF's destruction of health and sanitation and food infrastructure. As public health experts noted, in many wars, 'most deaths' are 'due to the indirect [sic] impacts of war: malnutrition, communicable disease, exacerbations of noncommunicable disease, [and] maternal and infant disorders.'117 'Indirect' would be the wrong word for this conflict given the nature of Israeli policies, including the systematic obstruction of supplies into Gaza.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=10 January 2025 |title=Gaza death toll 40% higher than official number, Lancet study finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/10/gaza-death-toll-40-higher-than-official-number-lancet-study-finds |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tanno |first=Sophie |date=9 January 2025 |title=Gaza death toll has been significantly underreported, study finds |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/09/middleeast/gaza-death-toll-underreported-study-intl |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> As of May 2025, a comparable figure for traumatic-injury deaths would be 93,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/interactive/middle-east-and-africa/2025/05/08/how-many-people-have-died-in-gaza |title=How many people have died in Gaza? |date=2025-05-08 |newspaper=The Economist |quote=The researchers found that the overlap was so small that the true number of deaths was probably 46-107% higher than the official ministry total. If you assume that the ratio has stayed the same since last June (and not fallen, as systems caught up during the ceasefire, say) and apply them to the current tally, it would suggest that between 77,000 and 109,000 Gazans have been killed, 4-5% of the territory's pre-war population (see chart).}}</ref> There was also a spillover of the war occurring in the West Bank.
In an attempt to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution following the Gaza war, the UK, Australia, Canada and France have recognized a Palestinian state in late 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-22 |title=What does recognising a Palestinian state mean? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp5z1vvj5o |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Geography == {{Main|Geography of Palestine}}
[[File:Mt-Grizim-national-park-7920.jpg|thumb|Located around Nablus, Mount Gerizim is the holiest site for Samaritans.]] Areas claimed by the country, known as the Palestinian territories, lie in the Southern Levant of the Middle East region. Palestine is part of the Fertile Crescent, along with Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. 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. Palestine shares its maritime borders with Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. Thus, the two enclaves constituting the area claimed by the State of Palestine have no geographical border with one another, being separated by Israel.<ref name="United Nations-2" /> These areas would constitute the world's 163rd largest country by land area.<ref name="UN Stats-2012" /><ref name="United Nations-2">{{Cite web|url=http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx/_Images/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=State+of+Palestine|title=UNdata | country profile | State of Palestine|publisher=United Nations|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109043530/http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx/_Images/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=State%20of%20Palestine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Worldometers-2020">{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/state-of-palestine-population/|title=State of Palestine Population (2020)|website=worldometers.info|access-date=22 November 2019|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207232116/https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/state-of-palestine-population/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=May 2022}}
The West Bank is a mountainous region. It is divided in three regions, namely the Mount Nablus (''Jabal Nablus''), the Hebron Hills and Jerusalem Mountains (''Jibal al–Quds'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geography of Palestine - Fanack.com |url=https://fanack.com/palestine/geography-of-palestine/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=The MENA Chronicle {{!}} Fanack |language=en-US}}</ref> The Samarian Hills and Judean Hills are mountain ranges in the West Bank, with Mount Nabi Yunis at a height of {{Convert|1030|m|ft|sp=us}} in Hebron Governorate as their highest peak.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=28 April 2012 |title=Jabal-Nablus, a Page from Palestine's History |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/jabal-nablus-a-page-from-palestines-history/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=Palestine Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{Cite web |title=Samarian Hills {{!}} hills, West Bank {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Samarian-Hills |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref> Until 19th century, Hebron was highest city in the Middle East.<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica" />
Jerusalem is located on a plateau in the central highlands and is surrounded by valleys.<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica" /> The territory consists of fertile valleys, such as the Jezreel Valley and the Jordan River Valley. Palestine is home to world's largest olive tree, located in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2020 |title=Unknown Facts about Palestine for Islamic Heritage Month |url=https://blog.islamicreliefcanada.org/people/facts-about-palestine/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=What a Relief Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica" /> Around 45% of Palestine's land is dedicated to growing olive trees.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.twinkl.com.sa/homework-help/world-geography-homework-help/middle-east-facts/palestine-facts-for-kids|title=Palestine Facts for Kids |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=www.twinkl.com.sa}}</ref>
Palestine features significant lakes and rivers that play a vital role in its geography and ecosystems.<ref name="Marsi">{{Cite web |last=Marsi |first=Federica |title='From the river to the sea': What does the Palestinian slogan really mean? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/2/from-the-river-to-the-sea-what-does-the-palestinian-slogan-really-mean |access-date=20 February 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The Jordan River flows southward, forming part of Palestine's eastern border and passing through the Sea of Galilee before reaching the Dead Sea. According to Christian traditions, it is site of the baptism of Jesus.<ref name="Adeel-2023">{{Cite web |last=Adeel |first=Zafar |date=23 October 2023 |title=Israel–Palestine conflict: How sharing the waters of the Jordan River could be a pathway to peace |url=http://theconversation.com/israel-palestine-conflict-how-sharing-the-waters-of-the-jordan-river-could-be-a-pathway-to-peace-216044 |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=The Conversation}}</ref> The Dead Sea, bordering the country's east is the lowest point on the earth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Dead Sea, Lowest Point on Earth {{!}} Bein Harim |url=https://www.beinharimtours.com/dead-sea/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=www.beinharimtours.com}}</ref> Jericho, located nearby, is the lowest city in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jericho City |url=https://www.welcometopalestine.com/destinations/jericho/jericho-city/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=Welcome To Palestine |language=en-GB}}</ref> Villages and suburban areas around Jerusalem are home to ancient water bodies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Tour of Rural Jerusalem |url=https://thisweekinpalestine.com/a-tour-of-rural-jerusalem/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |website=This Week in Palestine |language=en-US}}</ref> There are several river valleys (''wadi)'' across the country. These waterways provide essential resources for agriculture and recreation while supporting various ecosystems.<ref name="Marsi" />
Three terrestrial ecoregions are found in the area: Eastern Mediterranean conifer–sclerophyllous–broadleaf forests, Arabian Desert, and Mesopotamian shrub desert.<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |display-authors=1 |year=2017 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |pages=534–545 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |issn=0006-3568 |pmc=5451287 |pmid=28608869 |doi-access=free |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad}}</ref> 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.<ref name="al Haq">{{Cite web |title=Search |url=http://www.alhaq.org/search |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223092458/https://www.alhaq.org/search |archive-date=23 February 2022 |access-date=26 April 2020 |website=alhaq.org}}</ref>
=== Climate === {{Main|Climate of Palestine}}
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, characterized by dry and hot climate. Gaza has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh) with mild winters and dry hot summers.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ajjur|first1=Salah Basem|last2=Al-Ghamdi|first2=Sami G.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349694112|title=Variation in Seasonal Precipitation over Gaza (Palestine) and Its Sensitivity to Teleconnection Patterns|journal=Water|volume=13|issue=5|date=2021|page=3|quote="According to Köppen-Geiger climate classification, the Gaza region is classified mainly into semi-arid (BSh class) in the middle and southern parts, and temperate with dry summer (Csa class) in the northern region."|doi=10.3390/w13050667|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021Water..13..667A }}</ref> Spring arrives around March–April. The hottest months are July and August, with the average high being {{convert|33|°C|°F|0|sp=us}}. The coldest month is January, with temperatures usually at {{convert|7|°C|°F|0|sp=us}}. Rain is scarce and generally falls between November and March. Annual precipitation is approximately {{convert|4.57|in|mm|0}}.<ref name="MSN">{{cite web |url=http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?&wealocations=wc%3a11884&q=Gaza%2c+Gaza+Strip&setunit=C |title=Monthly Averages for Gaza, Gaza Strip |publisher=MSN Weather |access-date=15 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210101355/http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx |archive-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Biodiversity === {{Main|Biodiversity in Palestine}}
[[File:Camel - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Camels in the 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt {{!}} Bein Harim Tours |url=https://www.beinharimtours.com/st-george-s-monastery/ |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=beinharimtours.com}}</ref> Efforts have been made to protect the biodiversity and natural beauty of the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wadi Qelt reserve |url=https://www.mahmiyat.ps/en/protected-areas/12 |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=Mahmiyat}}</ref> The Judaean Desert is known for its Judaean Camels. Qalqilya Zoo in Qalqilya Governorate, is the only zoo currently active in the country. Gaza Zoo was closed due to poor conditions. The Israeli government has established various national parks in Area C, which is considered illegal under international law.
== Government and politics == {{Main|Government of Palestine}}
{{See also|Politics of the Palestinian National Authority|Politics of the Palestine Liberation Organization}} {{multiple image | total_width = 260 | caption_align = center | image1 = Mahmoud Abbas 2024.jpg | caption1 = President<br />Mahmoud Abbas | image2 = Mohammad Mustafa January 2025.jpg | caption2 = Prime Minister<br />Mohammad Mustafa }}
[[File:Ramallah PLC.jpg|thumb|The Palestinian Legislative Council, home to the Palestinian parliament]] thumb|The mausoleum of Yasser Arafat, at the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in Ramallah
Palestine operates a unitary<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unitary States |url=https://juri-globe.ca/en/allcategories-en-gb/169-category-en-gb/classification-selon-les-elements-de-droit-constitutionnel/formes-d-etat/etats-unitaires |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=juri-globe.ca}}</ref> and semi-presidential system of government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-droit/fr/evenements/the-story-of-the-palestinian-political-system|title=Square Pegs and Round Holes: The Story of the Palestinian Political System|website=École de droit}}</ref> The country consists of the institutions that are associated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which includes the President of the State of Palestine,<ref>{{cite web |author=Government of the Dominican Republic |title=Comunicado Conjunto para Establecimiento Relaciones Diplomaticas entre la Republica Dominican y el Estado de Palestina |trans-title=Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Dominican Republic and the State of Palestine |language=es, en, ar |url=http://enlacecongreso.mirex.gov.do/ecc/Lists/Establecimiento%20de%20Relaciones%20Diplomticas/Attachments/70/Palestina.pdf |date=15 July 2009 |publisher=Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=15 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815175157/http://enlacecongreso.mirex.gov.do/ecc/Lists/Establecimiento%20de%20Relaciones%20Diplomticas/Attachments/70/Palestina.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2011 |quote=''Presidente del Estado de Palestina'' [President of the State of Palestine]. |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|name=PLOchair|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.<ref name=A67L28 /><ref name=GiE /> See also Leaders of Palestinian institutions.}} who is appointed by the Palestinian Central Council,<ref name="p2008">[http://www.miftah.org/PrinterF.cfm?DocId=18244 PLO Body Elects Abbas 'President of Palestine'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901155712/http://www.miftah.org/PrinterF.cfm?DocId=18244 |date=1 September 2017 }} 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."</ref> the Palestinian National Council, and the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which performs the functions of a government in exile,<ref name="A67L28" /><ref name="GiE" /><ref name="unescogie">{{cite web |author=Executive Board of UNESCO |title=Hundred and Thirty-First Session{{snd}}Item 9.4 of the Provisional Agenda{{snd}}Request for the Admission of the State of Palestine to UNESCO as a Member State |page=18, Annex II |url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000827/082711eo.pdf |publisher=UNESCO |date=12 May 1989 |access-date=28 September 2011 |quote=A government-in-exile, having no effective control in the territory and not having had previous control, ... . |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728145954/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000827/082711eo.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Palestinian National Council (PNC) |access-date=16 June 2014 |website=European Institute for Research on Mediterranean and Euro-Arab Cooperation |url=http://www.medea.be/en/countries/occupied-palestinian-territories/palestinian-national-council-pnc-l/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806202216/http://www.medea.be/en/countries/occupied-palestinian-territories/palestinian-national-council-pnc-l/ |archive-date=6 August 2011 |url-status=dead |publisher=Medea Institute |quote=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. }}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}} maintaining an extensive foreign-relations network. The PLO is combination of several political parties.
These should be distinguished from the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Palestinian Legislative Council, and PNA Cabinet, all of which are instead associated with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Palestine's founding document is the Palestinian Declaration of Independence,<ref name="declaration1988" /> which 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, which has partial control over the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, which is under control of the militant group Hamas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Governs the Palestinians? |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/who-governs-palestinians |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=Council on Foreign Relations}}</ref><ref>Allen, L. 2013. ''The Rise and Fall of Human Rights''. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.</ref> Fatah is a secular party that was founded by Yasser Arafat and enjoys relatively good relations with the western powers. On the other hand, Hamas is a militant group based on Palestinian nationalist and Islamic ideology, inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion {{!}} Hamas Didn't Attack Israelis Because They Are Jewish {{!}} Common Dreams |url=https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/hamas-attacks-not-antisemitic |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=commondreams.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=i24NEWS |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/187356-181028-hamas-condemns-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=i24news.tv|date=28 October 2018 }}</ref>
Hamas has tense relations with the United States, but it receives support from Iran. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is another popular secular party, founded by George Habash. Mahmoud Abbas is the president of the country since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2018 |title=Mahmoud Abbas (President) |url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/mahmoud_abbas/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=ECFR}}</ref> Mohammad Shtayyeh was the prime minister of Palestine and resigned in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Nick |date=26 February 2024 |title=Palestinian Authority prime minister and government resign amid pressure to reform |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/26/middleeast/palestinian-authority-prime-minister-resigns-intl/index.html |access-date=13 April 2024 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
In 2024, Mohammad Mustafa was appointed as the new prime minister of the country after the resignation of Shtayyeh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian President Abbas appoints Mohammed Mustafa as prime minister |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/14/palestinian-authority-president-abbas-appoints-mohammed-mustafa-prime-minister |access-date=13 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Yahya Sinwar was leader of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip before his death in October 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hubbard |first=Ben |date=17 October 2024 |title=Yahya Sinwar, Leader of Hamas, Is Dead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/world/middleeast/yahya-sinwar-dead.html |access-date=17 October 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> According to Freedom House, the PNA governs Palestine in an authoritarian manner, including by repressing activists and journalists critical of the government,<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Bank: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/west-bank/freedom-world/2022 |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=Freedom House|archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703204653/https://freedomhouse.org/country/west-bank/freedom-world/2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> with elections postponed indefinitely.
East Jerusalem, including the old city and ''Haram ash-Sharif'', is claimed as capital by Palestine, despite being under occupation by Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the Palestinian Authority and what is its relationship with Israel? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/what-is-the-palestinian-authority-and-how-is-it-viewed-by-palestinians |access-date=13 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The temporary administration center is in Ramallah, which is 10{{spaces}}km from Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menachem |first=Yoni Ben |date=10 January 2018 |title=Palestinian Capital in Abu Dis or Ramallah? |url=https://jcpa.org/palestinian-capital-abu-dis-ramallah/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs}}</ref> The ''Muqata'' hosts state ministries and representative offices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2010 |title=Ramallah looks ever more like Palestinian capital |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/817629/ramallah-looks-ever-more-like-palestinian-capital |access-date=21 February 2024 |work=Dawn|location=Pakistan}}</ref> In 2000, a government building was built in the Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis, to house the office of Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prusher |first=Ilene |date=29 May 2015 |title=Palestine's abandoned parliament – a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 46 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/29/palestine-abandoned-parliament-history-cities-50-buildings |access-date=21 February 2024 |work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Since the Second Intifada, the condition of the town made this site unsuitable to operate as a capital, either temporarily or permanently.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2018 |title=AP PHOTOS: Unfinished Palestinian parliament a grim symbol |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-f9b9c1b72d084bca8036b48762580d7f |access-date=21 February 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Palestinians have maintained a presence in the city, and some countries have their consulates in Jerusalem delegated to Palestine.
=== Administrative divisions === {{Main|Governorates of Palestine}}
{{See also|Palestinian enclaves}} {{multiple image | direction = horizontal | image1 = West Bank and Gaza Strip location map.svg | caption1 = Palestinian Governorates (official) | image2 = Zones A and B in the occupied Palestinian territories.svg | caption2 = Palestinian-controlled areas }}
The State of Palestine is divided into sixteen administrative divisions. 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. Area B forms 22% of the West Bank and is under Palestinian civil control and joint Israeli–Palestinian security control.<ref name="Zahriyeh2014">{{cite news|last=Zahriyeh|first=Ehab|title=Maps: The occupation of the West Bank|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/2014/7/west-bank-security.html|date=4 July 2014|publisher=Al Jazeera Media Network|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-date=16 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716232147/http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/2014/7/west-bank-security.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gvirtzman">{{cite web |last= Gvirtzman |first= Haim |url=http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/books/maps.htm |title=Maps of Israeli Interests in Judea and Samaria|publisher=Bar-Ilan University|access-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111015009/http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/books/maps.htm}}</ref>
Area C, except East Jerusalem, forms 60% of the West Bank and is administered by the Israeli Civil Administration. The Palestinian government provides the education and medical services to the 150,000 Palestinians in the area,<ref name="Zahriyeh2014" /> 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.<ref name="WBAUS2922">{{cite report|url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/10/18836847/west-bank-gaza-area-c-future-palestinian-economy|title=West Bank and Gaza – Area C and the future of the Palestinian economy|date=2 October 2013|access-date=8 August 2014|page=4|archive-date=1 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801210703/http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2014/01/23/000442464_20140123122135/Rendered/PDF/AUS29220REPLAC0EVISION0January02014.pdf|url-status=live|publisher=World Bank Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=The Struggle over Area C Change Direction toward a Space for Understanding with the Palestinian Authority |url=https://www.inss.org.il/publication/c-territory/ |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=inss.org.il |quote=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. |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114174321/https://www.inss.org.il/publication/c-territory/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There are about 330,000 Israelis living in settlements in Area C.<ref name="CBS2010">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/group-israel-controls-42-of-west-bank/|title=Group: Israel Controls 42% of West Bank|publisher=CBS News|agency=Associated Press|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|date=6 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808220117/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/group-israel-controls-42-of-west-bank/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Area C is under martial law, Israelis living there are entitled to full civic rights.<ref name="CERD1416">{{cite report|url=http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/CERD.C.ISR.CO.14-16.pdf|title=Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention|date=9 March 2012|page=6|publisher=UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination|access-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=18 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718223839/http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/CERD.C.ISR.CO.14-16.pdf}}</ref> Palestinian enclaves currently under Palestinian administration in red (Areas A and B; not including Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas rule).
thumb|Governorates of Palestine
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. It 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,<ref name="Zahriyeh2014" /> but this annexation is not recognized by any other country.<ref>{{cite book |first=Tobias|last=Kelly |title=Laws of Suspicion:Legal Status, Space and the Impossibility of Separation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank |editor1-first=Franz|editor1-last=Von Benda-Beckmann |editor-link1=Franz von Benda-Beckmann |editor2-first=Keebet|editor2-last=Von Benda-Beckmann |editor3-first=Julia M.|editor3-last=Eckert<!--|work=Rules of Law and Laws of Ruling: On the Governance of Law--> |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |date=May 2009 |page=91 |isbn=978-0-7546-7239-5}}</ref>
In 2010, of the 456,000 people in East Jerusalem, roughly 60% were Palestinians and 40% were Israelis.<ref name="Zahriyeh2014" /><ref name="ChoshenEtKorach2010">{{cite report|url=http://jiis.org/.upload/facts-2010-eng%20%281%29.pdf|title=Jerusalem, Facts and Trends 2009/2010|page=11|publisher=Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-date=2 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702001634/http://jiis.org/.upload/facts-2010-eng%20%281%29.pdf|url-status=dead|year=2010}}</ref> 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|date=September 2020}}
Under the Oslo Accords, Jerusalem was proposed to be included in future negotiations. According to Israel, the Oslo Accords prohibit the Palestinian Authority from operating 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Unique Status of the Jerusalem Suburb of Wadi Hummus |url=https://jcpa.org/article/the-unique-status-of-the-jerusalem-suburb-of-wadi-hummus/ |access-date=20 February 2024 |website=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs}}</ref><sup>a{{efn|group=lower-roman|Data from Jerusalem includes occupied East Jerusalem with its Israeli population}}</sup> {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Name ! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)<ref>{{cite web |title=Palestine |url=http://www.geohive.com/cntry/palestine.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162009/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/palestine.aspx |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=3 October 2015 |website=GeoHive |publisher=Johan van der Heyden}}</ref> ! Population ! Density (per km<sup>2</sup>) ! 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 | 419,108<sup>a</sup> | 1214.8{{efn|group=lower-roman|Data from Jerusalem includes occupied East Jerusalem with its Israeli population}} | 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|date=October 2015}} |- | '''Gaza''' | 74 | 625,824 | 8457.1 | Gaza |- | '''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 |} {{notelist|group=lower-roman}}
=== Foreign relations === {{Main|Foreign relations of Palestine}}
{{See also|List of diplomatic missions of Palestine|List of diplomatic missions in Palestine}}
Foreign relations are maintained in the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) represents the State of Palestine and maintains embassies in countries that recognize it. It 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). The Vatican shifted recognition to the State of Palestine in May 2015, following the 2012 UN vote.<ref>[http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=765399 'PLO: Vatican accord with Palestine a contribution to justice,'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082828/http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=765399|date=18 May 2015}} 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.</ref> This change aligned with the Holy See's evolving position.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c5550d535218478c8208fe32c82c3eb3/vatican-recognizes-state-palestine-new-treaty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513201548/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c5550d535218478c8208fe32c82c3eb3/vatican-recognizes-state-palestine-new-treaty |archive-date=13 May 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015 |agency=Associated Press }}</ref>
[[File:The_Prime_Minister,_Shri_Narendra_Modi_and_the_President_of_the_State_of_Palestine,_Mr._Mahmoud_Abbas,_at_the_joint_Press_meet,_at_Ramallah,_Palestine_on_February_10,_2018_(2).jpg|thumb|Indian prime minister Narendra Modi with Mahmoud Abbas in at Ramallah in 2018]] Currently, 156 UN member states (80.8%) 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.<ref name="GiE2">{{Cite book |last1=Sayigh |first1=Yezid |title=Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949–1993 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-19-829643-0 |edition=illustrated |page=624}} "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."</ref> It is a full member of the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Union for the Mediterranean. 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=3 October 2014 |title=Sweden to recognise state of Palestine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/03/sweden-recognise-state-palestine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010203/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/03/sweden-recognise-state-palestine |archive-date=15 October 2014 |access-date=14 October 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 October 2014 |title=Sweden officially recognises state of Palestine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/30/sweden-officially-recognises-state-palestine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030183646/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/30/sweden-officially-recognises-state-palestine |archive-date=30 October 2014 |access-date=31 October 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref><!-- The citation by the government -->{{cite news |last=Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs |first=Margot |date=30 October 2014 |title=Sweden today decides to recognise the State of Palestine |url=https://www.dn.se/debatt/sweden-today-decides-to-recognise-the-state-of-palestine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416080150/http://www.dn.se/debatt/sweden-today-decides-to-recognise-the-state-of-palestine/ |archive-date=16 April 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015 |newspaper=Dagens Nyheter |location=Stockholm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 October 2014 |title=MPs back Palestinian statehood alongside Israel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29596822 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014081040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29596822 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |access-date=14 October 2014 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}}
Members of the Arab League and member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have strongly supported the country's position in its conflict with Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=League of Arab States (LAS) Archives |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document-source/league-of-arab-states-las/ |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=Question of Palestine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heaney |first=Christopher |title=OIC Committee of Six on Palestine Considers Launching Global Action to Support the Rights of the Palestinian People and End the Occupation – Press Release (Non-UN Document) |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/oic-committee-of-six-on-palestine-considers-launching-global-action-to-support-the-rights-of-the-palestinian-people-and-end-the-occupation-press-release-non-un-document/ |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=Question of Palestine}}</ref> Iran has been a strong ally of Palestine since the Islamic revolution and has provided military support to Palestinian fedayeen and militant groups, including Hamas through its Axis of Resistance, which includes a military coalition of governments and rebels from Iraq,<ref>{{cite news |date=1 February 2024 |title=What is Iran's 'axis of resistance' and why is it uniting in fury against the US and Israel? |url=https://theconversation.com/what-is-irans-axis-of-resistance-and-why-is-it-uniting-in-fury-against-the-us-and-israel-222281}}</ref> Syria,<ref>{{cite web |title=Challenging the Axis of Resistance: Syria, Iran and the Strategic Balance in the Middle East |url=http://www.usip.org/events/challenging-the-axis-resistance-syria-iran-and-the-strategic-balance-in-the-middle-east |access-date=25 May 2016 |website=USIP |archive-date=4 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904085230/http://www.usip.org/events/challenging-the-axis-resistance-syria-iran-and-the-strategic-balance-in-the-middle-east |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lebanon<ref>{{citation |title=Drums of War: Israel And The "AXIS OF RESISTANCE" |date=2 August 2010 |url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111425/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Iraq%20Syria%20Lebanon/Lebanon/97%20Drums%20of%20War%20-%20Israel%20and%20the%20Axis%20of%20Resistance.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=International Crisis Group}}</ref> and Yemen.<ref>{{cite web |title=جمهوری اسلامی دولت مقاومت است |url=https://farsi.khamenei.ir/newspart-index?tid=1437 |website=Khamenei.ir |language=fa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=10 October 2023 |title=Yemen's Houthis warn they will fire missiles, drones if US intervenes in Gaza conflict |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/yemens-houthis-warn-they-will-fire-missiles-drones-if-us-intervenes-gaza-2023-10-10/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maannews.net/news/2046837.html|title=الرئيس الإيراني يستقبل وفدا من الجبهة الشعبية|website=وكـالـة مـعـا الاخـبـارية}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Arwa |title=Iranian support vital for Hamas after ties restored with Syria |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/25/hamas-restoration-of-ties-with-syria-maintains-interests |access-date=7 October 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Hamas is also part of the axis of resistance. Even before the emergence of the Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Iraq was a strong supporter of Palestine when it was under the Ba'athist government of Saddam Hussein.<ref name="MIFTAH" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Wistrich |first=Robert |title=Muslim Anti-Semitism: A Clear and Present Danger |year=2002 |pages=43}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=Reuters|date=3 January 1983 |title=IRAQI CHIEF, IN APPARENT SHIFT, CITES ISRAELI NEED FOR SECURITY |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/03/world/iraqi-chief-in-apparent-shift-cites-israeli-need-for-security.html |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Turkey is a supporter of Hamas and Qatar has been a key-financial supporter and has hosted Hamas leaders.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pala |first1=Özgür |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWhnEAAAQBAJ&dq=Palestine%E2%80%93Qatar+relations&pg=PA113 |title=Turkish-Qatari Relations: From Past to Present in a Turbulent Geopolitical Landscape |last2=Al-Jaber |first2=Khalid |date=4 April 2022 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-6669-0173-3 |pages=113}}</ref> In 1988, as part of the request to admit it to UNESCO, an explanatory note was prepared that listed 92 states that had recognized the State of Palestine, including both Arab and non-Arab states such as India.<ref name="unesco.org">{{cite report |date=12 May 1989 |title=Request for the admission of the State of Palestine to UNESCO as a Member State |url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000082711_eng |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>{{rp|19}} India, which historically was a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, especially in the period pre-1990s, has gradually shifted to more balanced foreign policy since 1991-92,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-17 |title=India's Stance on Palestine: From Solidarity to Strategic Neutrality |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/indias-stance-on-palestine-from-solidarity-to-strategic-neutrality |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref> including establishing full diplomatic relations and growing ties with Israel, while still maintaining some diplomatic support for Palestine.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 September 2012 |title=India gives $10 mn aid to Palestine, pledges support – Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/india-gives-10-mn-aid-to-palestine-pledges-support-451647.html |website=firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-05 |title=EAM Jaishankar Reaffirms India's Support For Two-State Solution For Israel, Palestine {{!}} Decoding New Delhi's Stance |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/eam-jaishankar-reaffirms-indias-support-for-two-state-solution-for-israel-palestine-decoding-new-delhis-stance |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref>
Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was a supporter of Palestinian independence and was sought as a mediator in the Arab–Israeli conflict when he presented a one-state peace offer titled ''Isratin'' in 2000.<ref name="NYT2">{{cite news |last=Qadaffi |first=Muammar |date=21 January 2009 |title=The One-State Solution |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/opinion/22qaddafi.html?ref=opinion |access-date=22 January 2009 |work=The New York Times |page=A33}}</ref> Relations with the United Arab Emirates deteriorated when it signed normalization agreement with Israel. During the Sri Lankan Civil War, the PLO provided training for Tamil rebels to fight against the Sri Lankan government.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 August 2002 |title=The Untold Story |url=https://sangam.org/sri-lanka-the-untold-story-chapter-30/ |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 January 2005 |title=Have a personal rapport with the late Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat. |url=https://tamilnation.org/tamileelam/shankarrajee |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=7 August 2013 |title=Mapping Militant Organisations EROS and the PLO |url=https://stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/print_view/513 |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> The Republic of Ireland, Venezuela and South Africa are political allies of Palestine and have strongly advocated for establishment of independent Palestine.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 August 2006 |title=South African union joins boycott of Israel |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3260201,00.html |work=Ynet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian-Irish Relations |url=https://www.dfa.ie/prep/ramallah/our-role/palestinian-irish-relations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117003823/https://www.dfa.ie/prep/ramallah/our-role/palestinian-irish-relations/ |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="times">{{cite news |last=Rasgon |first=Adam |date=24 January 2019 |title=Palestinian official slams US over its support for Venezuelan opposition leader |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-official-slams-us-over-its-support-for-venezuelan-opposition-leader/ |access-date=15 September 2019 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> As a result of the ongoing war, support for the country has increased. Since Israel's invasion of Gaza, many countries in support of Palestinians have officially recognized the country. This includes Armenia, Spain, Norway, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AJLabs |title=Mapping which countries recognise Palestine in 2024 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/22/mapping-which-countries-recognise-palestine-in-2024 |access-date=29 June 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
=== Status and recognition === {{Main|Legal status of Palestine|Palestine and the United Nations}}
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared the establishment of the State of Palestine on 15 November 1988. There is a wide range of views on the legal status of the State of Palestine, both among international states and legal scholars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/world/middleeast/q-and-a-on-palestinian-statehood.html|title=Q. and A. on Palestinian Statehood|work=The New York Times|date=5 January 2015|access-date=10 October 2022|quote=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.|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010131656/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/world/middleeast/q-and-a-on-palestinian-statehood.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The existence of a state of Palestine is recognized by the states that have established bilateral diplomatic relations with it.<ref>{{cite book |author=Robbie Sabel |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/international-law-and-the-arabisraeli-conflict/is-palestine-a-state/24D4ED9B1AF29E4F16C69020977B5477 |title=International Law and the Arab-Israeli Conflict |date=April 2022 |publisher=Cambridge university Press |isbn=978-1-108-76267-0 |page=399 |quote=The issue of whether Palestine is, at present, a State remains controversial. |access-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010135051/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/international-law-and-the-arabisraeli-conflict/is-palestine-a-state/24D4ED9B1AF29E4F16C69020977B5477 |archive-date=10 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Victor Matthew Kattan |author-link=Victor Kattan|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3850777 |title=Oxford Handbook on International Law in the Arab World |publisher=Oxford University Press, Forthcoming |editor=Hani Sayed &Thomas Skouteris |chapter=The Statehood of Palestine: A Constitutivist View (May 21, 2021) |date=2021 |doi=10.2139/ssrn.3850777 |quote=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 |s2cid=241140129}}</ref> In January 2015, the International Criminal Court affirmed Palestine's "State" status after its UN observer recognition,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2015 |title=The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, opens a preliminary examination of the situation in Palestine |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=pr1083 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225061804/https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=pr1083 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=20 September 2019 |website=ICC}}</ref> a move condemned by Israeli leaders as a form of "diplomatic terrorism".<ref>Yuval Abraham and Meron Rapoport, [https://www.972mag.com/icc-israel-surveillance-investigation/ Surveillance and interference: Israel's covert war on the ICC exposed] +972 magazine 28 May 2024</ref>
In December 2015, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources in the occupied territories.<ref>{{UN doc |docid=A-RES-70-225 |body=A |session=70 |type=R |date=22 December 2015 |title=Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources |accessdate=21 April 2025}}</ref> It called on Israel to cease exploitation and damage while granting Palestinians the right to seek restitution. In 1988, the State of Palestine's declaration of independence was acknowledged by the General Assembly with Resolution 43/177.<ref>UNGA, 15 December 1988; [http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/43/a43r177.htm ''Resolution 43/177. Question of Palestine''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719204755/http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/43/a43r177.htm|date=19 July 2017}} (doc.nr. A/RES/43/177)</ref> 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.<ref name="A67L28" /><ref name="GA113172">{{cite web |date=29 November 2012 |title=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 |url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11317.doc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130083931/http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11317.doc.htm |archive-date=30 November 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=United Nations}}</ref>
In August 2015, Palestine's representatives at the United Nations 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.<ref name="i24_un_flag">[http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/85278-150910-un-set-to-back-raising-palestinian-flag ''UN backs raising Palestinian flag at NY headquarters''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927214530/http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/85278-150910-un-set-to-back-raising-palestinian-flag |date=27 September 2015 }}. i24news and AFP, 9 September 2015</ref> 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".<ref>[http://embassies.gov.il/un/statements/letters/Pages/-First-Israeli-Response-to-the-Palestinian-Attempt-to-Raise-Their-Flag-at-the-UN-Headquarters.aspx ''Response:Palestinian Attempt to Raise Flag at UNHQ''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321151425/http://embassies.gov.il/un/statements/letters/Pages/-First-Israeli-Response-to-the-Palestinian-Attempt-to-Raise-Their-Flag-at-the-UN-Headquarters.aspx |date=21 March 2016 }}. Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, 1 September 2015.</ref> After the vote, which was passed by 119 votes to 8 with 45 countries abstaining,<ref name="cnnUN">{{cite web |title=Historic raising of Palestinian flag at United Nations |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/30/world/united-nations-palestinian-flag/index.html |publisher=CNN|date=30 September 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421184004/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/30/world/united-nations-palestinian-flag/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Palestinian flag raised at UN in New York |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-34406035 |publisher=BBC News |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308133114/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-34406035 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Palestinian flag to be raised at United Nations for the first time |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/palestinian-flag-to-be-raised-at-united-nations-for-the-first-time-a6673001.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/palestinian-flag-to-be-raised-at-united-nations-for-the-first-time-a6673001.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019 }}</ref> the US Ambassador Samantha Power said that "raising the Palestinian flag will not bring Israelis and Palestinians any closer together".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-vatican-un-idUSKCN0RA2OY20150910 ''U.N. General Assembly approves Palestinian request to fly its flag''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019123910/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-vatican-un-idUSKCN0RA2OY20150910 |date=19 October 2017 }}. Louis Charbonneau, Reuters, 10 September 2015</ref> US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner called it a "counterproductive" attempt to pursue statehood claims outside of a negotiated settlement.<ref name="aj_un_flag">[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/vote-palestine-flag-fly-headquarters-150910060007023.html ''UN strongly approves Palestinian proposal to raise flag''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312060207/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/vote-palestine-flag-fly-headquarters-150910060007023.html |date=12 March 2016 }}. Al Jazeera, 11 September 2015</ref>
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",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Palestinian Flag Raised at the United Nations for the First Time |url=https://www.newsweek.com/palestinian-flag-raised-united-nations-first-time-378466 |magazine=Newsweek |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515091115/https://www.newsweek.com/palestinian-flag-raised-united-nations-first-time-378466 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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."<ref name="cnnUN" />
=== International recognition === {{Main|International recognition of Palestine}}
[[File:Palestine recognition only.svg|thumb|upright 1.2| {{Legend|#111B11|State of Palestine}}{{Legend|#007f24|Countries that have recognized Palestine{{efn|{{Legend striped|#007f24|#b9b9b9|up=yes|States whose governments dispute their recognition of Palestine (The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Papua New Guinea)}}}}}} {{Legend|#b9b9b9|Countries that have not recognized Palestine}}]] The State of Palestine has been recognized by 157 of the 193 UN members and since 2012 has had a status of a non-member observer state in the United Nations.<ref name="UNStatehoodBid2012accepted">{{cite news |date=1 December 2012 |title=Israel defies UN after vote on Palestine with plans for 3,000 new homes in the West Bank |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-defies-un-after-vote-on-palestine-with-plans-for-3000-new-homes-in-the-west-bank-8372494.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018101415/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-defies-un-after-vote-on-palestine-with-plans-for-3000-new-homes-in-the-west-bank-8372494.html |archive-date=18 October 2017 |access-date=15 September 2017 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="Charbonneau">{{cite web |last1=Charbonneau |first1=Louis |date=29 November 2012 |title=Palestinians win implicit U.N. recognition of sovereign state |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121129 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605091657/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121129 |archive-date=5 June 2014 |access-date=8 June 2014 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="Lederer">{{cite web |last1=Lederer |first1=Edith M |date=30 November 2012 |title=Live Stream: Palestine asks United Nations for a 'birth certificate' ahead of vote |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/LIVE-STREAM-Palestine-asks-United-Nations-for-a-birth-certificate-ahead-of-vote/tabid/417/articleID/278702/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116091340/http://www.3news.co.nz/LIVE-STREAM-Palestine-asks-United-Nations-for-a-birth-certificate-ahead-of-vote/tabid/417/articleID/278702/Default.aspx#ixzz345WDjipj |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=3news.com |publisher=MediaWorks TV |location=New Zealand}}</ref> This limited status is largely due to the fact that the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, has consistently used its veto or threatened to do so to block Palestine's full UN membership.<ref name="United Nations">{{Cite web |title=Security Council Fails to Recommend Full United Nations Membership for State of Palestine, Owing to Veto Cast by United States {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15670.doc.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423110923/https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15670.doc.htm |archive-date=23 April 2024 |access-date=30 June 2024 |publisher=United Nations}}</ref><ref name="Associated Press News">{{Cite web |date=10 May 2024 |title=UN assembly approves resolution granting Palestine new rights and reviving its UN membership bid |url=https://apnews.com/article/un-resolution-palestinians-membership-rights-us-assembly-875560e897f27d6600090420f36404e4 |access-date=30 June 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref>
On 29 November 2012, in a 138–9 vote (with 41 abstentions and 5 absences),<ref name="GA113172" /> 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.<ref name="Charbonneau" /><ref name="Lederer" /><ref>{{cite news|title=General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer State status at UN |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43640&Cr=palestin&Cr1= |publisher=United Nations News Centre |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102181348/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43640&Cr=palestin&Cr1= |archive-date=2 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="A67L28">{{UN document |docid=A/67/L.28 |body=A |type=A |session=67 |document_number=37 |title=Question of Palestine |date=26 November 2012 |accessdate=11 June 2014}} and {{UN document |docid=A/RES/67/19 |body=A |type=R |session=67 |resolution_number=67/19 |title=Status of Palestine in the United Nations |date=29 November 2012 |accessdate=11 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="AljazeeraNmChng2">{{cite web |date=8 January 2013 |title=Palestine: What is in a name (change)? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/01/2013186722389860.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109160021/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/01/2013186722389860.html |archive-date=9 January 2013 |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=Aljazeera Inside Story |publisher=Al Jazeera English}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}} Palestine's UN status is equivalent to that of the Holy See.<ref name="Hume">{{cite web|first1=Tim |last1=Hume |first2=Ashley |last2=Fantz |title=Palestinian United Nations bid explained |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=CNN International Edition: Middle East |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/28/world/meast/un-palestinian-bid |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053748/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/28/world/meast/un-palestinian-bid |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <!-- will resume here in cleaning up references (check that named references need to be named; got as far as Kassim) --> 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".<ref name="un.int">{{Cite web|url=http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131073609/http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/|url-status=dead|title=Website of the State of Palestine's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations|archive-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> Palestine has instructed its diplomats to officially represent "The State of Palestine"—no longer the Palestinian National Authority.<ref name="AljazeeraNmChng2"/>
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",<ref name="Gharib">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/20/u-n-adds-new-name-state-of-palestine.html|title=U.N. Adds New Name: "State of Palestine"|last=Gharib|first=Ali|date=20 December 2012|access-date=10 January 2013|website=The Daily Beast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221170726/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/20/u-n-adds-new-name-state-of-palestine.html|archive-date=21 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> thus recognizing 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.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://palestineun.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/012-UN-Memo-regarding-67-19.pdf|title= Issues related to General assembly resolution 67/19 on the status of Palestine in the United nations|last= O'Brien|first= Patricia|date= 21 December 2012|publisher= United Nations|access-date= 22 November 2019|archive-date= 31 October 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211031191451/http://palestineun.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/012-UN-Memo-regarding-67-19.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref>
{{Numrec|Pal|link=N|asof=S}} ({{Numrec|Pal|link=N|pcent=UN}}) of the {{UNnum}} member states of the United Nations have recognized the State of Palestine.<ref name="A67L28" /><!-- " to date, 132 States Members of the United Nations have accorded recognition to the State of Palestine" --><ref>[http://www.nad-plo.org/etemplate.php?id=374 Christmas Message from H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103183155/http://www.nad-plo.org/etemplate.php?id=374 |date=3 November 2014 }}, Christmas 2012: "133 countries that took the courageous step of recognizing the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders."</ref> Many of the countries that do not recognize the State of Palestine nevertheless recognize 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.<ref name="GiE">{{Cite book |last1=Sayigh |first1=Yezid |title=Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949–1993 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-19-829643-0 |edition=illustrated |page=624 |quote=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.}}</ref>
On 2 April 2024, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, requested that the Security Council consider a renewed application for membership. As of April, seven UNSC members recognize 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2024 |title=Palestinians want April vote on UN membership despite US saying peace with Israel must come first |url=https://apnews.com/article/un-membership-palestine-us-security-council-vote-9a62d1050ccdbe92361e6411530d4e28 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref> On 18 April, the US vetoed a widely supported UN resolution that would have admitted Palestine as a full UN member.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 April 2024 |title=US vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine |url=https://apnews.com/article/un-vote-palestinian-membership-us-veto-8d8ad60d8576b5ab9e70d2f8bf7e2881 |access-date=18 April 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=18 April 2024 |title=US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/18/us-veto-palestine-membership-request-united-nations-council |access-date=18 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PA says US veto of Palestinian UN membership 'unfair, unethical' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-veto-at-un-unfair-unethical-pa-president |access-date=18 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
A May 2024 UNGA resolution came into force with the 2024 general assembly. The resolution, which recognized the Palestinian right to become a full member state, also granted the right to Palestinians to submit proposals and amendments and Palestine was permitted to take a seat with other member states in the assembly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/11/palestinians-take-new-seat-at-un-general-assembly_6725549_4.html|title=Palestinians take new seat at UN General Assembly|date=11 September 2024|via=Le Monde}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2024-09-11/ty-article/.premium/palestinians-take-unprecedented-seat-at-un-general-assembly/00000191-e0d0-d084-a5db-ebd6ee470000|title='A Historic Moment for Us': Palestinians Take Unprecedented Seat at UN General Assembly - Palestinians - Haaretz.com |last1=Fink |first1=Rachel }}</ref>
=== Military === {{Main|Palestinian Security Services}}
[[File:25th anniversary of Hamas (27).jpg|thumb|The 25th anniversary of Hamas taking place in Gaza, 2012]] The Palestinian Security Services consists of the armed forces and intelligence agencies, which were established during the Oslo Accords. Their function is to maintain internal security and enforce law in the PA-controlled areas. It does not operate as an independent armed force of a country. Before the Oslo Accords, the PLO led armed rebellion against Israel, which included coalition of militant groups and included its own military branch – the Palestine Liberation Army.<ref name="Milton">{{cite book |author=Beverley Milton-Edwards |url=https://archive.org/details/islamicpoliticsi00beve/page/94 |title=Islamic Politics in Palestine |publisher=I.B.Tauris |year=1996 |isbn=978-1-86064-475-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/islamicpoliticsi00beve/page/94 94–95]}}</ref> Since the 1993–1995 agreements, it has been inactive and operates only in Syria. Palestinian fedayeen are the Palestinian militants and guerilla army. They are considered as "freedom fighter" by Palestinians and "terrorists" by Israelis.<ref name="Glaser">{{cite book |author=Milton Glaser and Mirko Ilic |title=The Design of Dissent |publisher=Rockport Publishers |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-59253-117-2}}</ref>
Hamas considers itself as an independent force, which is more powerful and influential than PSF, along with other militant organizations such as Islamic Jihad (Al-Quds Bridage).<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2018 |title=National Security Forces (NSF) – PA/Hamas |url=https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/national_security_forces_nsf/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=ECFR}}</ref> It is a guerilla army, which is supported by Iran, Qatar and Turkey.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20231008">{{Cite web |title=What is Hamas? A simple guide to the armed Palestinian group |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/what-is-the-group-hamas-a-simple-guide-tothe-palestinian-group |access-date=21 February 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> According to the CIA World Factbook, the Qassam Brigades have 20,000 to 25,000 members, although this number is disputed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2022 |title=Palestine Liberation Army: Our people's struggle will continue until the liberation of the Palestinian land |url=http://syriatimes.sy/palestine-liberation-army-our-peoples-struggle-will-continue-until-the-liberation-of-the-palestinian-land/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=Syrian Times}}</ref> Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza provided Hamas with the opportunity to develop its military wing.<ref name="Al Jazeera-20231008" />
Iran and Hezbollah have smuggled weapons to Hamas overland through the Sinai Peninsula via Sudan and Libya, as well as by sea. Intensive military training and accumulated weapons have allowed Hamas to gradually organize regional units as large as brigades containing 2,500–3,500 fighters each. Since 2020, joint exercises conducted with other militant groups in Gaza like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have habituated units to operating in a coordinated fashion, supported Hamas command and control, and facilitated cooperation between Hamas and smaller factions. Such efforts began in earnest in 2007, upon Hamas's seizure of power in the Gaza Strip. Iran has since supplied materiel and know-how for Hamas to build a sizable rocket arsenal, with more than 10,000 rockets and mortar shells fired in the current conflict. With Iran's help, Hamas has developed robust domestic rocket production that uses pipes, electrical wiring, and other everyday materials for improvised production.<ref name="washingtoninstitute.org">{{Cite web |title=How Hamas Built an Army |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-hamas-built-army |access-date=22 May 2024 |website=The Washington Institute}}</ref>
=== Law and security === {{Main|Crime in Palestine}}
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MERIA: The Palestinian Security Services: Between Police and Army |url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/meria/meria99_lug01.html |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu}}</ref>
The Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA) is the standing army of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine Liberation Organization |url=http://palestineun.org/about-palestine/palestine-liberation-organization/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=palestineun.org}}</ref> It was established during the early years of the Palestinian national movement but has largely been inactive since the Oslo Accords.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine Liberation Army {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/politics/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/palestine-liberation-army |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=encyclopedia.com}}</ref> The PLA's role was intended to be a conventional military force but has shifted to a more symbolic and political role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine Liberation Army {{!}} Office of Justice Programs |url=https://www.ojp.gov/taxonomy/term/palestine-liberation-army |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=ojp.gov}}</ref>
== Economy == {{Main|Economy of Palestine}}
thumb|Construction in Rawabi and surrounding industrial areasPalestine is classified as a middle income and developing country by the IMF. In 2023, the GDP of the country was $40 billion and per-capita around $4,500. Due to its disputed status, the economic condition has been affected.<ref name="WB-2023">{{Cite web |title=The Palestinian Economy Remains Vulnerable Amid Socio-Political Instability |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/05/02/the-palestinian-economy-remains-vulnerable-amid-socio-political-instability |access-date=10 March 2024 |publisher=World Bank}}</ref><ref name="Daoudi-2008a">{{Cite journal |last1=Daoudi |first1=Hanna |last2=Khalidi |first2=Raja |year=2008 |title=The Palestinian War-Torn Economy : Aid, Development and State Formation |url=https://www.cairn.info/revue-a-contrario-2008-1-page-23.htm |journal=A Contrario |language=fr |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=23–36 |doi=10.3917/aco.052.0023 |issn=1660-7880|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Daoudi-2008b">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 : <nowiki>https://www.cairn.info/revue-a-contrario-2008-1-page-23.htm</nowiki></ref> Carbon dioxide emissions were 0.6 metric tons per capita in 2010. In 2011, Palestine's poverty rate was 25.8%. According to a new World Bank report, Palestinian economic growth is expected to soften in 2023.{{Update inline|date=December 2025}} Palestine's economy relies heavily upon international aid, remittances from overseas Palestinians and local industries.<ref name="Statista-2011">{{Cite web |title=Palestine: share of economic sectors in GDP 2011–2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1423912/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-palestine/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=Statista}}</ref>
The State of Palestine's overall gross-domestic-product (GDP) declined by 35% in the first quarter of 2024, due to the ongoing war in Gaza, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reports.<ref name="pcbs.gov.ps">{{Cite web |title=The Preliminary Estimates of Quarterly National Accounts, First Quarter, 2024 |url=https://pcbs.gov.ps/site/512/default.aspx?tabID=512&lang=en&ItemID=5785&mid=3171&wversion=Staging |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=PCBS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian economy contracts by 35 percent in first quarter of 2024: report |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/palestinian-economy-contracts-35-percent-first-quarter-2024-report |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=Middle East Eye}}</ref> There was a stark difference between the West Bank, which witnessed a decline of 25% and in the Gaza Strip, the number is 86% amid the ongoing war. The manufacturing sector decreased by 29% in the West Bank and 95% in Gaza, while the construction sector decreased by 42% in the West Bank and essentially collapsed in Gaza, with a 99% decrease.<ref name="pcbs.gov.ps" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2024 |title=Gaza's GDP contracts 86 pct amid Israeli attacks |url=https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/3950753/ |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=bastillepost.com}}</ref>
=== Agriculture === After Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, Palestinian agriculture suffered significant setbacks. The sector's contribution to the GDP declined, and the agricultural labor force decreased. The cultivated areas in the West Bank have continuously declined since 1967. Palestinian farmers face obstacles in marketing and distributing their products, and Israeli restrictions on water usage have severely affected Palestinian agriculture. 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.<ref name="Butterfield-2000">{{Cite web |title=Agriculture in Palestine |url=https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/kubursi/ebooks/water.htm |access-date=16 April 2024 |website=socialsciences.mcmaster.ca |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511224951/https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/kubursi/ebooks/water.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In Gaza, the coastal aquifer is suffering from saltwater intrusion. Israeli restrictions have limited the 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. The Gulf War in 1991 had severe repercussions on Palestinian agriculture, as the majority of exports were previously sent to the countries of the Arab Gulf. Palestinian exports to the Gulf States declined by 14% as a result of the war, causing a significant economic impact.<ref name="Butterfield-2000" />
=== Water supply and sanitation === {{Main|Water supply and sanitation in Palestine}}
{{See also|Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Monitoring Program}}
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 to historical and geographical complexities, with Israel granting partial autonomy in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2017 |title=Israel gives Pal. Authority limited water autonomy in West Bank |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/israel-gives-pal-authority-limited-water-autonomy-in-west-bank-478672 |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=The Jerusalem Post |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114175342/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/israel-gives-pal-authority-limited-water-autonomy-in-west-bank-478672 |url-status=live }}</ref> The division of groundwater is subject to provisions in the Oslo II Accord, agreed upon by both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.<ref>Selby, Jan. "Joint mismanagement: reappraising the Oslo water regime." In ''Water Resources in the Middle East: Israel-Palestinian Water Issues—From Conflict to Cooperation'', pp. 203-212. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2007.</ref> Israel provides the Palestinian territories water from its own water supply and desalinated water supplies, in 2012 supplying 52 MCM.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Rachel Wilson, Mark Oliver, Alexandra |date=18 October 2023 |title=Gaza's limited water access, mapped |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/middleeast/gaza-water-access-supply-mapped-dg/index.html |access-date=14 November 2023 |publisher=CNN|archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018194421/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/middleeast/gaza-water-access-supply-mapped-dg/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>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 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007192826/https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/reports/water-authority-data-english/he/21-Water-Issues-between-Israel-and-Palestinians-Main-Facts.pdf |date=7 October 2023 }} 2012</ref>
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.<ref name="UN Gaza">{{cite web | publisher = United Nations | title = Gaza water crisis prompts UN call for immediate opening of crossings | date = 3 September 2009 | url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31927 | access-date = 25 November 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608054238/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31927 | archive-date = 8 June 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/MENAEXT/WESTBANKGAZAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22026701~menuPK:294370~pagePK:2865066~piPK:2865079~theSitePK:294365,00.html|title = Gaza Strip Water and Sanitation Situation|year = 2009|publisher = World Bank|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222212143/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/MENAEXT/WESTBANKGAZAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22026701~menuPK:294370~pagePK:2865066~piPK:2865079~theSitePK:294365,00.html|archive-date = 22 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Concerning wastewater, the existing treatment plants do not have the capacity to treat all of the produced wastewater, causing severe water pollution.<ref>{{cite journal|title = Urban Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation for Agricultural Irrigation: The situation in Morocco and Palestine|year = 2005|doi=10.1007/s10669-005-0998-x|volume=24|issue = 4|pages=227–236 | last1 = Fatta | first1 = D. |journal=The Environmentalist|s2cid = 85346288| issn=0251-1088 |doi-access = free}}</ref> The development of the sector highly depends on external financing.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.boell.de/sites/default/files/assets/boell.de/images/download_de/internationalepolitik/GIP11_Palestine_Karen_Assaf.pdf|title = Water as a human right: The understanding of water in Palestine|year = 2004|website = Boell.de|last = Assaf|first = Karen|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222949/http://www.boell.de/sites/default/files/assets/boell.de/images/download_de/internationalepolitik/GIP11_Palestine_Karen_Assaf.pdf|archive-date = 23 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Manufacturing === Manufacturing sectors in Palestine include textiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, furniture, plastic products, stone, and electronics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2019 |title=Trade & Investment – Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom |url=https://palmissionuk.org/trade-and-invesment/ |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=palmissionuk.org}}</ref> Notable products include clothing, olive oil, dairy, furniture, ceramics, and construction materials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trade Profile – Palestine |url=https://www.lloydsbanktrade.com/en/market-potential/palestine/trade-profile |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Lloyds Bank}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 September 2023 |title=Manufacturing sector expected to grow by 2.5% and absorb 79,000 jobs in six years – Ministry of Economy |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/137793 |agency=WAFA |access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref> 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 the most industrially advanced city in the region and serves as an export hub for Palestinian products. More than 40% of the national economy produced there. The most advanced printing press in the Middle East is in Hebron.<ref name="JCH-2024">{{Cite web |title=Hebron, the wealthiest, most high-tech Palestinian Authority City |url=http://hebron.org.il/history/403 |access-date=16 April 2024 |website=the Jewish Community of Hebron|date=6 April 2016 }}</ref> Many quarries are in the surrounding region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodfriend |first=Sophia |date=29 February 2024 |title=How the Occupation Fuels Tel Aviv's Booming AI Sector |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/21/palestine-israel-ai-surveillance-tech-hebron-occupation-privacy/ |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Foreign Policy}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levy |first=Elior |date=3 December 2016 |title=First Coca-Cola plant opens in Gaza |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4887808,00.html |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=Ynetnews}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiff |first=Ben |date=7 March 2023 |title=At Davos, talk of Palestinian prosperity without freedom is 'a charade' |url=https://www.972mag.com/davos-breaking-the-impasse-palestinian-israeli/ |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=+972 Magazine}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Industrial zones |url=https://www.quartetoffice.org/page.php?id=5d8274y6128244Y5d8274 |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=quartetoffice.org}}</ref>
=== Energy === {{Main|Energy in Palestine}}
thumb|A solar plant in Jericho Palestine does not produce its own oil or gas. But as per UN reports, "sizeable reserves of oil and gas" lie in the Palestinian territories. Due to its state of conflict, most of the energy and fuel 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 PLC (PEC). Jerusalem District Electricity Company, a subsidiary of PEC, provides electricity to Palestinian 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Massader Palestine – Noor Palestine Solar Program |url=https://www.massader.ps/en/projects/noor-palestine-program |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=massader.ps}}</ref> Qudra Energy, a joint venture between Bank of Palestine and NAPCO have established solar power plants across Jammala, Nablus, Birzeit and Ramallah.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Projects |url=https://qudra.ps/projects/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Qudra Energy}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=24 May 2019 |title=Palestine to Open First-Ever Solar Power Station |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/palestine-opens-first-ever-solar-power-station/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Palestine Chronicle}}</ref> A new solar power plant is under construction at Abu Dis campus of Al-Quds University, for serving Palestinian Jerusalemites.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admsusint |date=7 April 2023 |title=Abu Kishek and businessman Samir Aweidah sign an agreement to finance and construct a solar power station at Al-Quds University |url=https://sustainability.alquds.edu/abu-kishek-and-businessman-samir-aweidah-sign-an-agreement-to-finance-and-construct-a-solar-power-station-at-al-quds-university/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=Sustainability}}</ref>
=== Oil and gas === {{Main|Natural gas in the Gaza Strip|Gaza Marine}}
Palestine holds massive potential reserves of oil and gas. Over {{convert|3|Goilbbl|m3}} of oil are estimated to exist off the coast and beneath occupied Palestinian lands.<ref name="Kennedy-2023">{{Cite web |title=Offshore Gas Field Could Help Gaza Recovery |url=https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Offshore-Gas-Field-Could-Help-Gaza-Recovery.html |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=OilPrice.com}}</ref><ref name="Atmos-2023">{{Cite web |last=Atmos |date=29 November 2023 |title=This Genocide Is About Oil |url=https://atmos.earth/this-genocide-is-about-oil/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |website=Atmos}}</ref> The Levant Basin holds around {{convert|1.7|Goilbbl|m3}} of oil, with another {{convert|1.5|Goilbbl|m3}} beneath the occupied West Bank area. Around {{convert|2|Goilbbl|m3}} of oil reserves are believed to exist in shore of the Gaza Strip.<ref name="Atmos-2023" /><ref name="Massader-2108">{{Cite web |title=West Bank Oil Field |url=https://www.massader.ps/en/project/1518343496 |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=massader.ps}}</ref> According to a report by the UNCTAD, around {{convert|1250|Goilbbl|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.<ref name="Massader-2108" /> Block-1 field, which spans an area of {{Convert|432|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} from northwest Ramallah to Qalqilya in Palestine, has significant potential for recoverable hydrocarbon resources.<ref name="Massader-2108" /><ref name="Saglam-2023">{{Cite web |last=Saglam |first=Muhdan |date=26 October 2023 |title=Is Israel attacking Gaza for oil and gas? – Muhdan Saglam |url=https://www.gerceknews.com/article/is-israel-attacking-gaza-for-oil-and-gas-222425 |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Gercek News |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203131526/https://www.gerceknews.com/article/is-israel-attacking-gaza-for-oil-and-gas-222425 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is estimated to have a P90 (a level of certainty) of {{convert|0.03|Goilbbl|m3}} of recoverable oil and {{convert|6000000000|cuft|m3}} of recoverable gas.<ref name="Massader-2108" /> 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.<ref name="Kennedy-2023" /><ref name="Massader-2108" /><ref name="massader.ps">{{Cite web |title=Palestine Natural Resources Overview |url=https://www.massader.ps/en/page/1512912516 |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=massader.ps}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Massader-2108" />
Natural gas in Palestine is mostly found in Gaza Strip.<ref name="massader.ps" /> Gaza Marine is a natural gas field, located around {{Convert|32|km|mi|sp=us}} from the coast of the territory in the Mediterranean shore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaza: Gas Rich but in Ruins |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/pinch-point/2024/4/8/gaza-gas-rich-but-in-ruins |access-date=12 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> It holds gas reserves ranging between {{convert|28|e9m3|abbr=off|sp=us}} to {{convert|32|e9m3|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="Kennedy-2023" /> These estimates far exceed the needs of the Palestinian territories in energy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaza Marine: Natural gas extraction in tumultuous times? |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/gaza-marine-natural-gas-extraction-in-tumultuous-times/ |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=Brookings}}</ref> The gas field was discovered by the British Gas Group in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Elizabeth |date=18 June 2023 |title=Israel Green-Lights Gaza Offshore Gas Development |url=https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2023/06/18/israel-green-lights-gaza-offshore-gas-development/ |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=FDD}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2022 |title=Gaza offshore gas project: Agreement expected by year-end |url=https://arab.news/njuhk |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=Arab News}}</ref><ref name="Gaza">{{Cite web |last=Gaza |first=Sally Ibrahim |date=20 June 2023 |title=Exclusive: Hamas 'allows development of gas field off Gaza' |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/exclusive-hamas-allows-development-gas-field-gaza |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=newarab.com/}}</ref> However, since the ongoing war in Gaza, this project have been delayed.<ref name="Gaza" />
=== Transportation === {{Main|Transport in Palestine}}
[[File:To Hebron.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moussa |first=Emad |date=26 July 2022 |title=Palestine's airports: Past, present, and future dreams |url=https://www.newarab.com/analysis/palestines-airports-past-present-and-future-dreams |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=newarab.com/}}</ref> Since then no 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2021 |title=A New Airport Is Being Proposed to Serve Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/israeli-palestinian-airport |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Architectural Digest}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2021 |title=Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid proposes Gaza development plan |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210913-israeli-foreign-minister-lapid-proposes-gaza-development-plan |access-date=28 March 2024 |publisher=France 24}}</ref>
=== Tourism === {{Main|Tourism in Palestine}}
[[File:Gaza by Mujaddara - panoramio (3400).jpg|thumb|Al Mashtal Hotel in Gaza, before the Gaza war]] thumb|Jerusalem is holy for the 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{{spaces}}million people visited the Palestinian territories, compared to 2.6{{spaces}}million in 2009. Of that number, 2.2{{spaces}}million were foreign tourists, while 2.7{{spaces}}million were domestic.<ref name="PCBS">{{cite news|url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=423693|title=PCBS: Marked increase in West Bank tourism in 2010|date=26 September 2011|work=M'aan|access-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618070556/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=423693|archive-date=18 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Imtiaz Muqbil |author2=Sana Muqbil |url=http://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2013/03/europeans-dominate-visitor-arrivals-to-palestine-in-2012/#story3 |title=Europeans Dominate Visitor Arrivals to Palestine in 2012 |publisher=Travel-impact-newswire.com |date=11 March 2013 |access-date=6 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829174016/https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2013/03/europeans-dominate-visitor-arrivals-to-palestine-in-2012/#story3 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lonely Planet travel guide writes that "the West Bank is not the easiest place in which to travel but the effort is richly rewarded."<ref>Israel and the Palestinian Territories. p. 254. Lonely Planet Publications. 2012</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=xZ3bnwa21530556366axZ3bnw|title=Tourism in Palestine an Act of Solidarity, says Minister of Tourism|access-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812211609/http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=xZ3bnwa21530556366axZ3bnw|archive-date=12 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/border-crossings.html |title=Entering and Exiting Jerusalem, The west Bank, and Gaza |access-date=15 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318053118/http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/border-crossings.html |archive-date=18 March 2014 }}</ref> Tourism is mostly centered around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Jericho is a popular tourist spot for local Palestinians.
=== Communications === {{Main|Communications in Palestine}}
Palestine is known as the "Silicon Valley of NGOs".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Angie |date=10 February 2022 |title=Entrepreneurship in Palestine |url=https://thisgirlangie.medium.com/entrepreneurship-in-palestine-6b67ea0c39ea |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Medium}}</ref> The high tech industry in Palestine, have experienced good growth since 2008. In 2020, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the Ministry of Telecom and Information Technology said there were 4.2{{spaces}}million cellular mobile subscribers in Palestine compared to 2.6{{spaces}}million at the end of 2010. The number of ADSL subscribers in Palestine increased to about 363 thousand by the end of 2019, from 119 thousand over the same period. In 2020, 97% of Palestinian households had at least one cellular mobile line. At least one smartphone is owned by 86% of households (91% in the West Bank and 78% in Gaza Strip). About 80% of the Palestinian households have access to the internet in their homes and about a third have a computer.<ref name="4-2020">{{cite news|title=4.2 million cellular mobile subscriptions in Palestine, says Bureau of Statistics|url=http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=oPyqzLa117117013662aoPyqzL|publisher=WAFA|date=17 May 2020|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224070450/https://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=oPyqzLa117117013662aoPyqzL|url-status=live}}</ref>
In June 2020, the World Bank approved a US$15{{spaces}}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."<ref>{{cite news|title=US$15 Million Investment in Information Technology to Boost High-Skilled Jobs for Palestinian Youth|url=http://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=BTuQq8a117427285140aBTuQq8|publisher=WAFA|date=15 June 2020|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929071101/https://english.wafa.ps/page.aspx?id=BTuQq8a117427285140aBTuQq8|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Financial services === {{See also|Taxation in Palestine}}
[[File:Palestine Islamic Bank, Salfit 01.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 2020 |title=Palestine Monetary Authority: Starting to Provide Electronic Payment Services in Palestine |url=http://english.pnn.ps/2020/05/05/palestine-monetary-authority-starting-to-provide-electronic-payment-services-in-palestine/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202212008/http://english.pnn.ps/2020/05/05/palestine-monetary-authority-starting-to-provide-electronic-payment-services-in-palestine/ |archive-date=2 February 2022 |access-date=17 May 2020 |publisher=PNN}}</ref> The Protocol on Economic Relations, also known as the 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. This resulted in an under-banked region and a cash-based economy. Currently, there are 14 banks operating in Palestine, including Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian banks, compared to 21 in 2000. The number of banks has decreased over time due to mergers and acquisitions. 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. The banking sector has shown impressive annual growth rates in deposits and loan portfolios, surpassing global averages.<ref name="TWiP-2023">{{Cite web |title=The Palestinian Banking Sector |url=https://thisweekinpalestine.com/the-palestinian-banking-sector/ |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=This Week in Palestine}}</ref>
The combined loan facilities provided by all banks on 31 December 2018, amounted to US$8.4 billion, marking a significant growth of 492 percent compared to US$1.42 billion in 2007. Palestinian registered banks accounted for US$0.60 billion or 42 percent of total deposits in 2007. In 2018, the loans extended by Palestinian registered banks reached US$5.02 billion, representing 61 percent of total loans. This showcases a remarkable 737 percent increase between 2007 and 2018. 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.<ref name="TWiP-2023" />
=== Impact of Israeli policies === {{Multiple issues|{{Single source|section|date=December 2025}} {{Unreliable sources section|date=December 2025}}<!-- this section relies entirely on the position of the governmental(?) PLO Negotiations Affairs Department. it has a slanted viewpoint and does not link to the actual studies/papers/reports that are listed -->}} According to a report by the World Bank, the economic impact of Israel's closure policy has been profound, directly contributing to a significant decline in economic activity, widespread unemployment, and a rise in poverty since the onset of the Second Intifada in September 2000.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Ajluni | first1=Salem | title=The Palestinian Economy and the Second Intifada | journal=Journal of Palestine Studies | date=2003 | volume=32 | issue=3 | pages=64–73 | doi=10.1525/jps.2003.32.3.64 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1525/jps.2003.32.3.64 | url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="NAD-2015">{{Cite news |date=5 October 2015 |title=Economy |url=https://www.nad.ps/en/our-position/economy |access-date=28 June 2024 |work=NAD}}</ref> The Israeli restrictions imposed on Area C alone result in an estimated annual loss of approximately $3.4 billion, which accounts for nearly half of the current Palestinian GDP. These restrictions have severely hindered economic growth and development in the region. In the aftermath of the 2014 Gaza War, where many structures were damaged or destroyed, the flow of construction and raw materials into Gaza has been severely limited. Regular exports from the region have been completely halted, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the population.<ref name="NAD-2015" />
One of the burdensome measures imposed by Israel is the "back-to-back" system enforced at crossing points within Palestinian territories. This policy forces shippers to unload and reload their goods from one truck to another, resulting in significant transportation costs and longer transit times for both finished products and raw materials. Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, it was agreed that governance of Area C would be transferred to the Palestinian Authority within 18 months, except for matters to be determined in the final status agreement. However, Israel has failed to fulfill its obligations under the Oslo agreement. The European Commission has highlighted the detrimental impact of the Israeli West Bank barrier, estimating that it has led to an annual economic impoverishment of Palestinians by 2–3% of GDP.<ref name="NAD-2015" />{{Additional citation needed|date=December 2025|reason=Introduce a direct citation to the European Commission, instead of linking to just a PLO position article}} Furthermore, the escalating number of internal and external closures continues to have a devastating effect on any prospects for economic recovery in the region.<ref name="NAD-2015" />
In 2015, the economic impact of Israel's illegal use of Palestinian natural resources was conservatively estimated{{By whom|date=December 2025}} at US$1.83 billion, equivalent to 22% of Palestine's GDP that year. In a 2015 World Bank report, the manufacturing sector's share of GDP decreased from 19% to 10% between the signing of the Oslo Accords until 2011.<ref name="NAD-2015" />{{Additional citation needed|date=December 2025|reason=Introduce a direct citation to the World Bank, instead of linking to just a PLO position article}} The same report, which adopted conservative estimates, suggests that access to Area 'C' in specific sectors like Dead Sea minerals, telecommunications, mining, tourism, and construction could contribute at least 22% to Palestinian GDP. The report notes that Israel and Jordan together generate around $4.2 billion annually from the sale of these products, representing 6% of the global potash supply and 73% of global bromine output.<ref name="NAD-2015" />
Overall, if Palestinians had unrestricted access to their own land in Area 'C,' the potential economic benefits for Palestine could increase by 35% of GDP, amounting to at least $3.4 billion annually.<ref name="NAD-2015" />{{According to whom|date=December 2025}} Similarly, water restrictions incurred a cost of US$1.903 billion, equivalent to 23.4% of GDP, while Israel's ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip resulted in a cost of $1.908 billion US$, representing 23.5% of GDP in 2010.<ref name="NAD-2015" />
== Demographics == {{Main|Demographics of Palestine}}
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.<ref name="census" /> Ala Owad, the president of the PCBS, estimated a population of 5.3{{spaces}}million at year end, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief Report on the Population of Palestine at the End of 2021 |url=https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/brief-report-on-the-population-of-palestine-at-the-end-of-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207112234/https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/brief-report-on-the-population-of-palestine-at-the-end-of-2021/ |archive-date=7 December 2022 |access-date=7 December 2022}}</ref> Within an area of {{convert|6020|km2|mi2|lk=on|sp=us}}, there is a population density of about 827 people per square kilometer.<ref name="Worldometers-2020" /> To put this in a wider context, the average population density of the world was 25 people per square kilometer in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Which countries are most densely populated? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/most-densely-populated-countries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201224910/https://ourworldindata.org/most-densely-populated-countries |archive-date=1 February 2022 |access-date=23 November 2019 |website=Our World in Data|date=6 September 2019 |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Mathieu |first2=Edouard }}</ref>
Half of the Palestinian population live in the diaspora, or are refugees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trapped in Indefinite Exile: The History of Palestinian Refugees Over Last Seven Decades |url=https://thewire.in/world/trapped-in-indefinite-exile-the-history-of-palestinian-refugees-over-last-seven-decades |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=The Wire}}</ref> Due to being in a state of conflict with Israel, the subsequent wars have resulted in the widespread displacement of Palestinians, known as ''Nakba'' or ''Naksa''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nakba did not start or end in 1948 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/5/23/the-nakba-did-not-start-or-end-in-1948 |access-date=21 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name="Shaath-2023a">{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Expatriates |url=https://thisweekinpalestine.com/palestinian-expatriates/ |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=This Week in Palestine}}</ref> In the 1948 war, around 700,000 Palestinians were expelled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jazeera |first=Al |title=Al Nakba – PalestineRemix |url=https://remix.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/al-nakba.html |access-date=21 April 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Most of them are seeking refuge in neighboring Arab countries like Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinians in the Middle East: Where and how do they live? – DW – 11/29/2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/palestinians-in-the-middle-east-where-and-how-do-they-live/a-67583110 |access-date=21 April 2024 |publisher=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> while others live as expats in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.<ref name="Labadi-2018">{{Cite journal |last=Labadi |first=Taher |date=5 December 2018 |title=The Palestinian Diaspora and the State-Building Process |url=https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/the-palestinian-diaspora-and-the-state-building-process/ |journal=Arab Reform Initiative}}</ref><ref name="Shaath-2023a" /> A large number of Palestinians are in the United States, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ufheil-Somers |first=Amanda |date=4 May 1985 |title=The Palestinian Diaspora of the Gulf |url=https://merip.org/1985/05/the-palestinian-diaspora-of-the-gulf/ |access-date=21 April 2024 |website=MERIP}}</ref>
=== Population === {{Main|List of cities in Palestine|List of cities in the Gaza Strip}}
{{Largest cities|country=Palestine|city_1=Gaza City {{!}} Gaza|city_2=Jerusalem {{!}} Jerusalem{{efn|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}}|city_3=Hebron|city_4=Nablus|div_14=Nablus Governorate|div_1=Gaza Governorate|div_2=Jerusalem Governorate|div_3=Hebron Governorate|div_4=Nablus Governorate|pop_3=308,750|pop_2=542,400|pop_1=766,331|pop_4=239,772|div_5=Khan Yunis Governorate|pop_5=179,701|city_5=Khan Yunis|city_6=Jabalia|div_6=North Gaza Governorate|pop_6=165,110|city_7=Rafah|div_7=Rafah Governorate|pop_7=158,414|city_8=Jenin|div_8=Jenin Governorate|pop_8=115,305|city_9=Ramallah|pop_9=104,173|div_9=Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate {{!}} Ramallah and al-Bireh|city_10=Beit Lahia|pop_10=86,526|div_10=North Gaza Governorate|div_name=Governorate|stat_ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/lang__en/803/default.aspx|title=PCBS – Population Projections|last=PCBS|website=pcbs.gov.ps|access-date=23 February 2024|archive-date=9 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409014957/https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/lang__en/803/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}Until the middle of the 20th century, the population of Palestine was mostly rural.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Marom |first=Roy |title=[https://www.lamda-openubooks.co.il/%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A5_%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%AA?bsp=36813 Settled Land: The Arab Countryside in Israel/Palestine] |publisher=Lamda Scholarship, The Open University of Israel Press |year=2026 |isbn=978-965-06-1769-1 |location=Ra'anana |page=7|language=he|author-link=Roy Marom}}</ref>
=== Ethnicity === {{Main|Palestinians}}
thumb|Armenians in Jerusalem
Palestinians are natively Arab, and speak the Arabic language.<ref name="census" /><ref name="Worldometers-2020" /> Bedouin communities of Palestinian nationality comprise a minority in the West Bank, particularly around the Hebron Hills and rural Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hass |first=Amira |author-link=Amira Hass |date=6 February 2012 |title=Bedouin Community Wins Reprieve From Forcible Relocation to Jerusalem Garbage Dump |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/bedouin-community-wins-reprieve-from-forcible-relocation-to-jerusalem-garbage-dump-1.411248 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206092106/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/bedouin-community-wins-reprieve-from-forcible-relocation-to-jerusalem-garbage-dump-1.411248 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2012 |via=Haaretz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=حاج طاهر |first=زكية |year=2018 |title=مخطوطات البحر الميت:, مقاربة جديدة للنقد التوراتي |trans-title=The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Approach to Biblical Criticism |journal=مجلة دفاتر البحوث العلمية [(Journal of) Scientific Research Notebooks] |location=Tipaza, Algeria |publisher=Abdellah Morsli University Center |page=151 |doi=10.37218/1426-000-012-009}}</ref><ref name="Sitta-2009">{{Citation |last=Sitta |first=Salman Abu |author-link=Salman Abu Sitta |date=1 January 2009 |title=The Denied Inheritance: Palestinian Land Ownership in Beer Sheba |url=https://www.academia.edu/5294952 |access-date=28 June 2024 |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130222425/https://www.academia.edu/5294952 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2013, approximately 40,000 Bedouins reside in the West Bank and 5,000 Bedouins live in the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamas' use of excessive force to displace Bedouins angers Gazans |date=20 June 2022 |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/hamas-use-excessive-force-displace-bedouins-angers-gazans |access-date=1 November 2022 |publisher=Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hammad |first=Tarneem |date=7 June 2017 |title=The Bedouins of Gaza |url=https://wearenotnumbers.org/home/story/bedouins_of_gaza/ |access-date=1 November 2022 |website=We Are Not Numbers |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030635/https://wearenotnumbers.org/home/story/bedouins_of_gaza/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jahalin and Ta'amireh are two major Bedouin tribes in the country.<ref name="Sitta-2009" /> A large number of non-Arab ethnic groups also live in the country, with their members holding Palestinian citizenship as well.<ref name="Rubin">{{cite book |last1=Rubin |first1=Barry |author-link1=Barry Rubin |title=Yasir Arafat: A Political Biography |last2=Colp Rubin |first2=Judith |date=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-518127-2 |pages=196–197}}</ref> These include groups of Kurds, Nawar, Circassians, Bosnians, Assyrians, Romani, Druze, Africans, Dom, Russians, Turks and Armenians.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Hovsepian |first=Mary |title=Demography of Race and Ethnicity in Palestine |date=2015 |work=The International Handbook of the Demography of Race and Ethnicity |pages=339–352 |editor-last=Sáenz |editor-first=Rogelio |series=International Handbooks of Population |volume=4 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8891-8_17 |access-date=2026-03-23 |place=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer Netherlands |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-90-481-8891-8_17 |isbn=978-90-481-8891-8 |editor2-last=Embrick |editor2-first=David G. |editor3-last=Rodríguez |editor3-first=Néstor P.|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Most of the non-Arab Palestinian communities reside around Jerusalem. About 5,000 Assyrians live in Palestine, mostly in the holy cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.<ref name="Sitta-2009" /> An estimated population of between 200 and 450 black Africans, known as Afro-Palestinians, live in Jerusalem.<ref name="BenZion">Ilan Ben Zion, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-old-citys-african-secret/ ''The Old City's African secret''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006220909/https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-old-citys-african-secret/|date=6 October 2019}}, The Times of Israel 6 April 2014.</ref> A small community of Kurds live in Hebron.<ref name="alaraby">{{cite web |author=Roger Hercz |date=25 September 2017 |title=How Palestinians came to reject Kurdish demands for a homeland |url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/Comment/2017/9/25/How-Palestinians-came-to-reject-Kurdish-demands-for-homeland |access-date=26 November 2017 |website=alaraby.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="israelnationalnews">{{cite web |date=11 August 2017 |title=Who are the Palestinians? |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/20863 |access-date=26 November 2017 |publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref> The Nawar are a small Dom and Romani community, living in Jerusalem, who trace their origins to India.<ref>A People Apart: The Romani community seeks recognition. By Eetta Prince-Gibson. Dom Research Center. 2001</ref> The Russian diaspora is also found in Palestine, particularly in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem and in Hebron.<ref>{{Cite web |year=1945 |title=Map of Hebron region produced by the Survey of Palestine, showing the compound 'El Moskobiya' |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/maps/NNL_ALEPH990038051210205171/NLI#$FL27975722 |website=The National Library of Israel, Eran Laor Cartographic collection |access-date=28 June 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525051131/https://www.nli.org.il/he/maps/NNL_ALEPH990038051210205171/NLI#$FL27975722 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most of them are Christians of the Russian Orthodox Church.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Russians in Jerusalem |url=https://www.parallelhistories.org.uk/blog/2019/6/23/the-russians-in-jerusalem |access-date=25 October 2019 |website=Parallel Histories}}</ref>
In 2022, an estimate of approximately 5,000–6,000 Armenians lived across Israel and Palestine,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shams |first=Alex |title=Armenians in Palestine face uncertain future |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/4/25/armenians-in-palestine-face-uncertain-future |access-date=11 December 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> of which around 1,000 Armenians lived in Jerusalem (Armenian Quarter) and the rest lived in Bethlehem.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/opt_prot_ipcc_Old_City_urban_fabric_geopo_implications_2009.pdf |title=Jerusalem The Old City The Urban Fabric and Geopolitical Implications |publisher=International Peace and Cooperation Center |year=2009 |isbn=978-965-7283-16-5 |page=43 |access-date=30 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928095409/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/opt_prot_ipcc_Old_City_urban_fabric_geopo_implications_2009.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1987, 400,000 to 500,000 Turks live in Palestine.<ref>{{citation |last=Khateeb |first=Alya |title=عرب التركمان أبناء مرج بن عامر ("The Arab Turkmen – Merj Beni Amir Children") |year=1987 |publisher=Dar Al-Jalil}}</ref> Due to the 1947–1949 civil war, many Turkish families fled the region and settled in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.<ref>{{citation |last=Suwaed |first=Muhammad |title=Historical Dictionary of the Bedouins |page=121 |year=2015 |chapter=Turkmen, Israeli |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1442254510}}</ref> According to a 2022 news article by ''Al Monitor,'' many families of Turkish origin in Gaza have been migrating to Turkey due to the "deteriorating economic conditions in the besieged enclave".<ref name="Al Gherbawi 2022">{{citation |last=Al Gherbawi |first=Hadeel |title=Palestinian, Turkish ethnic mixture persists over times |year=2022 |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/01/palestinian-turkish-ethnic-mixture-persists-over-times |publisher=Al-Monitor |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref> Minorities of the country are also subjected to occupation and restrictions by Israel.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 November 2015 |title=New movement restrictions in East Jerusalem |url=http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ej_2015oct21.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318185455/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ej_2015oct21.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2016 |publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs}}</ref>
=== Language === {{main|Languages of Palestine}}
Arabic is the official language of the State of Palestine, specifically the Palestinian Arabic dialect which is commonly spoken by the local population. Hebrew and English are also widely spoken. Around 16% of the population consists of Israeli settlers, whose primary language is typically Hebrew. Many Palestinians use Hebrew as a second or third language.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Barahona|first=Ana|title=Bearing Witness – Eight weeks in Palestine|publisher=Metete|location=London| isbn= 978-1-908099-02-0|year=2013|page=80}}</ref>
=== Religion === {{Further|Islam in Palestine|Palestinian Christians|Palestinian Jews|Palestinian Baháʼís|Freedom of religion in Palestine}} [[File:Jerusalem-2013(2)-Aerial-Temple Mount-(south exposure).jpg|thumb|Jerusalem is home to the Al-Aqsa, including Qibli Mosque and Dome of the Rock, which is the 3rd holiest site in Islam.]] The country 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 traditionally part of the Holy Land, which is considered sacred land to Abrahamic religions and other faiths as well. The Basic Law states that Islam is the official religion but also grants freedom of religion, calling for respect for other faiths. Religious minorities are represented in the legislature for the Palestinian National Authority.<ref name="Amid4">{{cite news |author=Dana Rosenblatt |date=14 October 2002 |title=Amid conflict, Samaritans keep unique identity |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/10/08/samaritans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095213/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/10/08/samaritans/ |archive-date=20 November 2018 |access-date=30 May 2007 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
98% of Palestinians are Muslim, the vast majority of whom are followers of the Sunni branch of Islam and a small minority of Ahmadiyya.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2010 |title=PA's Moderate Muslims Face Threats |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137789#.U1vh-_ldUdk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235429/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/137789#.U1vh-_ldUdk |archive-date=26 April 2014 |access-date=26 April 2014 |publisher=Arutz Sheva}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lybarger |first=Loren D. |title=Identity and Religion in Palestine: The Struggle Between Islamism and Secularism in the Occupied Territories |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-691-12729-3 |page=114}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Are all Palestinians Muslim? |url=http://imeu.net/news/article0042.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142345/http://imeu.net/news/article0042.shtml |archive-date=13 April 2014 |access-date=16 April 2014 |work=Institute for Middle East Understanding}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National Profiles {{!}} World Religion |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=114c#S_2 |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA) |language=en-gb}}</ref> 15% are nondenominational Muslims.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 August 2012 |title=Religious Identity Among Muslims |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226113158/http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/#identity |archive-date=26 December 2016 |access-date=6 July 2016 |publisher=Pewforum.org}}</ref> Palestinian Christians represent a significant minority of 1%, followed by much smaller religious communities, including Baháʼís and Samaritans.<ref name="Salome2010">{{cite book |first=Louis J. |last=Salome |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ymUfFZ_eHLwC&pg=PA77 |title=Violence, Veils and Bloodlines: Reporting from War Zones |publisher=McFarland |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7864-5584-3 |page=77}}</ref><ref name="Refworld">{{Cite web |title=Palestine: Christians |url=https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/mrgi/2018/en/56759 |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Refworld}}</ref> The largest concentration of Christians are in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala in the West Bank, as well as in the Gaza Strip. Denominationally, most Palestinian Christians belong to Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox churches, including the Greek Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, and Syriac Orthodox Church.<ref name="Refworld" /> There are significant group of Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics (Melkites), and Protestant denominations.<ref name="Refworld" />
With a population of 350 people, Samaritans are highly concentrated around the Mount Gerizim. Due to similarities between Samaritanism and Judaism, Samaritans are often referred to as "the Jews of Palestine".<ref name="Amid4" /> The PLO considers those Jews as Palestinians, who lived in the region peacefully before the rise of Zionism.<ref name="charter">{{cite web |title=The Palestinian National Charter: Resolutions of the Palestine National Council July 1–17, 1968: Articles 6–7 |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/plocov.asp |access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> Certain individuals, especially anti-Zionists, consider themselves Palestinian Jews, such as Ilan Halevi and Uri Davis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Rory |date=17 August 2009 |title=Fatah congress elects first Jewish-born member |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/17/fatah-jewish-member |access-date=9 April 2024 |work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Around 600,000 Israeli settlers, mostly Jews, live in the Israeli settlements, illegal under international law, across the West Bank. Jericho synagogue, situated in Jericho is the only synagogue maintained by the Palestinian Authority.
=== Education === {{Main|Education in Palestine}}
[[File:Wikipedia education program birzeit university 2016 ceremoney 15.jpg|thumb|Students at Birzeit University]] [[File:IUG administration building.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=جريدة القدس |url=https://www.alquds.com/en/posts/88637 |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=alquds.com |date=7 September 2023 }}</ref> There is a gender difference in the population aged above 15 with 5.9% of women considered illiterate compared to 1.6% of men. Illiteracy among women has fallen from 20.3% in 1997 to less than 6% in 2014.<ref name="undp_palestine_education_2014">{{cite web |title=Education (2014) |url=http://www.ps.undp.org/content/dam/papp/docs/Publications/UNDP-papp-research-PHDR2015Education.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311023628/http://www.ps.undp.org/content/dam/papp/docs/Publications/UNDP-papp-research-PHDR2015Education.pdf |archive-date=11 March 2017 |access-date=30 January 2017 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=Why Palestinians Are Known as the World's "Best Educated Refugees"Anne Irfan – Columbia University Press Blog |url=https://cupblog.org/2023/08/23/why-palestinians-are-known-as-the-worlds-best-educated-refugeesanne-irfan/ |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Palestinian education system |url=https://www.palestineembassy.vn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30:the-palestinian-education-system&catid=2:history&Itemid=5&lang=en |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=palestineembassy.vn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine Education System |url=https://www.scholaro.com/db/Countries/Palestine/Education-System |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=scholaro.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jmcc.org/fastfactspag.aspx?tname=64 |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=jmcc.org|title=Fast Facts}}</ref> Basic education in Palestine includes primary school (grades 1–4) and preparatory school (grades 5–10).<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2023 |title=Educational Challenges in Palestine – |url=https://brokenchalk.org/educational-challenges-in-palestine/ |access-date=21 March 2024}}</ref> Secondary education consists of general secondary education (grades 11–12) and vocational education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Education System in Palestine Primary Secondary Territory |url=https://www.palestineeducation.info/profile |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=palestineeducation.info}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State of Palestine {{!}} NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION {{!}} Education Profiles |url=https://education-profiles.org/northern-africa-and-western-asia/state-of-palestine/~non-state-actors-in-education |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=education-profiles.org}}</ref>
The West Bank and the Gaza Strip together have 14 universities, 18 university colleges, 20 community colleges,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2017 |title=Study in Palestine {{!}} THE World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/where-to-study/study-in-palestine-state |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Times Higher Education (THE)}}</ref> and 3,000 schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Education sector |url=http://www.pipa.ps/page.php?id=26eeedy2551533Y26eeed#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20schools%20is%203,000%20schools,%20including%20400%20private%20schools. |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=pipa.ps}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Number of Schools in Palestine by Region and Governorate for the scholastic years 2014/2015 – 2018/2019 |url=https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Schools_en-4-2020.html |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=pcbs.gov.ps}}</ref> An-Najah National University in Nablus is the largest university in the country, followed by Al-Quds University in Jerusalem and Birzeit University in Birzeit near Ramallah.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Masri |date=28 August 2023 |title=Al-Quds University Achieves 5 Star Rating in QS World University Rankings |url=https://www.masrifoundation.org/en/news-activities-en/322-al-quds-university-achieves-5-star-rating-in-qs-world-university-rankings.html |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Munib and Angela Masri Foundation (MAF) |archive-date=2 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502011858/https://www.masrifoundation.org/en/news-activities-en/322-al-quds-university-achieves-5-star-rating-in-qs-world-university-rankings.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.najah.edu/en/about/achievements-and-awards/an-najah-is-ranked-in-the-clinical-and-health-subject-ranking-at-the-2023-times-higher-education-world-university-rankings-by-subject/|title=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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=جريدة القدس |url=https://www.alquds.com/en/posts/65859 |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=alquds.com |date=12 April 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=aqu2020 |date=11 February 2024 |title=Al-Quds University Ranks First among Palestinians in the QS Sustainable Development Classification |url=https://www.alquds.edu/en/news/staff-news/42972/al-quds-university-ranks-first-among-palestinians-in-the-qs-sustainable-development-classification/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Al-Quds University}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}} Al-Quds University achieved a 5-star rating in quality standards and was termed the "most socially responsible university in the Arab world".<ref>{{Cite web |last=aqu2020 |date=22 June 2023 |title=Al-Quds University Wins a Five Star Rating in all QS International Indicators as the First University in the History of Palestinian Higher Education |url=https://www.alquds.edu/en/news/staff-news/38806/al-quds-university-wins-a-five-star-rating-in-all-qs-international-indicators-as-the-first-university-in-the-history-of-palestinian-higher-education/ |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=Al-Quds University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Distribution of Schools in Palestine by Supervising Authority, Region and Governorate, for Scholastic Years 2011/2012-2022/2023 |url=https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Schools_en.html |access-date=21 March 2024 |website=pcbs.gov.ps}}</ref> In 2018, Birzeit University was ranked as one of the top 2.7% of universities worldwide in the 2019 edition of the World University Rankings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=11 June 2018 |title=Palestine's Birzeit University Ranked as One of the Top Universities in the World |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/palestines-birzeit-university-ranked-as-one-of-the-top-universities-in-the-world/ |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=Palestine Chronicle}}</ref> Ali H. Nayfeh, a Palestinian scientist from Tulkarem, is regarded as the most influential scholar and scientist in the area of applied nonlinear dynamics in mechanics and engineering.<ref name="Rega">{{cite book |last1=Rega |first1=Giuseppe |title=IUTAM Symposium on Exploiting Nonlinear Dynamics for Engineering Systems |date=2019 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783030236922 |pages=1–2 |chapter=Tribute to Ali H. Nayfeh (1933-2017) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pAilDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1}}</ref>
=== Health === {{Main|Health in Palestine}}
{{See also|Healthcare in Palestine}} [[File:Beit Jala Hospital 002.jpg|thumb|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).<ref>{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Overview of Public Health in Palestine |url=https://www.pniph.org/en/about/overview-of-public-health-in-palestine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812000103/https://pniph.org/en/about/overview-of-public-health-in-palestine |archive-date=12 August 2020 |access-date=24 November 2019 |publisher=Palestinian National Institute of Public Health}}</ref> The largest hospital of the West Bank is in Nablus, while Al-Shifa Hospital is largest in the Gaza Strip.
Operating under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO),<ref>{{Cite web |title=WHO | About Us |url=https://www.who.int/health-cluster/about/en/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209021507/https://www.who.int/health-cluster/about/en/ |archive-date=9 December 2020 |access-date=25 November 2019 |website=WHO}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Health Cluster OPT |url=http://healthclusteropt.org/pages/1/what-is-health-cluster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093019/https://healthclusteropt.org/pages/1/what-is-health-cluster |archive-date=13 January 2022 |access-date=25 November 2019 |website=healthclusteropt.org}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2019 |title=Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan |url=https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72_33-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126232341/https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72_33-en.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2022 |access-date=24 November 2019 |publisher=WHO}}</ref> pursuant to the country cooperation strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2017–2020.<ref name="CCS2020">{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Country cooperation strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2017–2020 |url=http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/palestine/documents/CCS_Palestine_2017-2020_WEB_-_Final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010015556/http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/palestine/documents/CCS_Palestine_2017-2020_WEB_-_Final.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2023 |access-date=24 November 2019 |publisher=WHO}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
== Culture == {{Main|Culture of Palestine}}
thumb|Streets of the Old City, Jerusalem at night during Ramadan|right 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.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Palestinian Culture – Core Concepts |url=https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/palestinian-culture/palestinian-culture-core-concepts |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Cultural Atlas}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Palestine Festival of Literature |url=https://www.palfest.org/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=The Palestine Festival of Literature احتفالية فلسطين للأدب}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Triangle Network {{!}} Triangle Network |url=https://www.trianglenetwork.org/triangle-network/partners/al-mahatta |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=trianglenetwork.org}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2017 |title=Jerusalem is sacred place for Jews, Muslims, Christians |url=https://apnews.com/article/a02fec9f026449b49751a05e1dd4ef6f |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref> Other notable cultural sites include the ancient city of Jericho, the archaeological site of Sebastia, and the town of Bethlehem.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 December 2023 |title=Jericho {{!}} Facts & History {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Jericho-West-Bank |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sebastia |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5718/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is the Significance of the City of Bethlehem in the Bible? |url=https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-the-significance-of-the-city-of-bethlehem-in-the-bible.html |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Christianity.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Febles |first=Kaitlin Miller |date=16 December 2021 |title=Bethlehem: Little Town, Big Significance |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/bethlehem-little-town-big-significance/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=The Gospel Coalition}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}}
A large number of cultural centers are found throughout the country, almost in all major cities. In 2009, Jerusalem was named as Arab Capital of Culture and Bethlehem participated in the Arab Capital of Culture in 2020.<ref>[http://www.alquds2009.org/etemplate.php?id=91 Capitals of Arab Culture] – Jerusalem (2009) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725000704/http://www.alquds2009.org/etemplate.php?id=91|date=25 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="CPNN">{{cite web |date=22 December 2018 |title=The project of Arab cultural capitals and cities: 22 years later, diagnosis and perspectives |url=http://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=14709 |access-date=25 May 2020 |website=Culture of Peace News Network |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603114321/https://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=14709 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Palestinian cuisine was ranked among 100 best cuisines in the world by TasteAtlas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=These are the 100 Best Cuisines in 2025 - TasteAtlas Awards 24/25 |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/cuisines |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=www.tasteatlas.com}}</ref>
=== Architecture === {{Main|Architecture of Palestine}}
{{See also|List of World Heritage Sites in Palestine}} [[File:IHM רוואבי - Wadina.jpeg|thumb|Rawabi is home to the largest Roman amphitheater in the Middle East.]] Palestinian architecture encompasses a rich heritage that reflects the cultural and historical diversity of the region. Throughout its history, Palestinian architecture has been influenced by various civilizations, including Islamic, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman. Traditional Palestinian architecture is characterized by its use of local materials such as stone and traditional construction techniques. The architectural style varies across different regions, with notable features including arched doorways, domes, and intricate geometric patterns. Islamic architecture has left a profound impact on Palestinian buildings. Mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas showcase exquisite craftsmanship, with notable examples including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Great Mosque of Nablus.<ref name="Manimozhi-2016">{{Cite web |date=16 October 2023 |title=The Power of Palestinian Architecture: Transforming the Landscape 2023 |url=https://archgyan.com/the-power-of-palestinian-architecture/ |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref> Rawabi is home to the largest Roman amphitheater in the Middle East and the Arab world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2024 |title=The Impossible Promise of Building a New Palestinian City {{!}} The Walrus |url=https://thewalrus.ca/rawabi/ |access-date=18 July 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Palestine is home to several Byzantine and Crusader architectural marvels. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which dates back to the 4th century, is a significant pilgrimage site. The Crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers in the Golan Heights is another remarkable example. During the Ottoman period, numerous mosques, palaces, and public buildings were constructed throughout Palestine. 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.<ref name="Manimozhi-2016" />
Rasem Badran and Mohamed Hadid are popular Palestinian architects. In recent years, modern architecture has emerged in Palestine, blending traditional elements with contemporary designs.<ref name="Manimozhi-2016" /> The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, exemplifies this fusion, incorporating local motifs and sustainable building practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawson-Tancred |first=Jo |date=22 February 2024 |title=The West Bank's Palestinian Museum Reopens After Four Months |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/palestinian-museum-reopens-2439190 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Artnet News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Museum |url=https://www.culturalinnovations.com/palestinian-museum |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Cultural Innovations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ditmars |first=Hadani |date=19 February 2024 |title=Palestinian Museum in West Bank Reopens After Months of Closure |url=http://hyperallergic.com/872505/palestinian-museum-birzeit-in-west-bank-reopens-after-months-of-closure/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Hyperallergic}}</ref> International Convention Center in Bethlehem, is a prominent structure showcasing contemporary Palestinian architecture.<ref name="Manimozhi-2016" /> Another notable building is the Palestinian National Theatre in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Palestinian National Theatre El-Hakawati |url=https://www.jerusalemstory.com/en/organization/palestinian-national-theatre-el-hakawati |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=jerusalemstory.com}}</ref> 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 === {{Main|Palestinian art|Music of Palestine|Palestinian traditional costumes}}
<!--- Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME --->[[Image:Mohamamd Assaf.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Singer Mohammed Assaf gained global coverage when he won ''Arab Idol''.]] Traditional Palestinian music is deeply rooted in the region's history and culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Music |url=https://www.palquest.org/en/highlight/10526/palestinian-music |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Interactive Encyclopedia of the Palestine Question – palquest}}</ref> It features instruments such as the ''oud'' (a stringed instrument), the ''qanun'' (a type of zither), and various percussion instruments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shurrab |first=Hatem |title=Love, loss, longing: How Palestinian musicians are reviving old folk songs |url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/love-loss-longing-how-palestinian-musicians-are-reviving-old-folk-songs-12787241 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Love, loss, longing: How Palestinian musicians are reviving old folk songs}}</ref> Traditional folk songs often depict themes of love, longing, and daily life experiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saeed |first=Saeed |date=30 December 2023 |title=Ten songs calling for peace in Palestine |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2023/12/30/palestine-songs-peace/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The National}}</ref> Artists like Mohammad Assaf, winner of the Arab Idol competition, have gained international recognition for their renditions of traditional Palestinian songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alhelou |first=Yousef |title=Israel and the UAE collude to silence a Palestinian singer |url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/israel-and-the-uae-collude-to-silence-a-palestinian-singer-40827 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Israel and the UAE collude to silence a Palestinian singer}}</ref>
''Dabke'' is a popular Palestinian dance form accompanied by music. 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. Dabke songs are often performed at weddings, celebrations, and cultural events, fostering a sense of community and shared identity.<ref name="UNESCO-2024">{{Cite web |title=UNESCO – Dabkeh, traditional dance in Palestine |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/dabkeh-traditional-dance-in-palestine-01998 |access-date=13 April 2024 |publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> Palestinian pop music has gained popularity in recent years, blending modern elements with traditional influences. Artists like Mohammed Assaf, Amal Murkus, and Rim Banna have contributed to the contemporary pop scene with their unique styles and powerful voices. Their songs address both personal and political themes, resonating with Palestinians and audiences worldwide.<ref name="AusEmb-2024">{{Cite web |title=Culture |url=https://www.palestine-australia.com/about-palestine/culture/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011001322/https://www.palestine-australia.com/about-palestine/culture/#:~:text=The%20most%20popular%20sport%20in,international%20stage%20in%20recent%20years. |archive-date=11 October 2023 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Palestine Australia |publisher=Embassy of the State of Palestine (The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific)}}</ref>thumb|upright=0.8|Palestinian children in their traditional dress Palestinian hip-hop has emerged as a powerful medium for expressing the realities and struggles faced by Palestinians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Hip Hop artists and listeners – Musicalyst |url=https://musicalyst.com/genre/palestinian-hip-hop |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=musicalyst.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Medithi |first=Vivian |date=21 November 2023 |title=A glimpse of Palestinian hip-hop |url=https://nobells.blog/a-glimpse-of-palestinian-hip-hop/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=No Bells}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shadia Mansour – The First Lady of Arabic hip hop |url=https://www.radionisaa.ps/en/article/592/Shadia-Mansour---The-First-Lady-of-Arabic-hip-hop |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=radionisaa.ps}}</ref> 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 === {{Further|Communications in Palestine}} {{See also|History of Palestinian journalism}}
There are a number of newspapers, news agencies, and satellite television stations in 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 === {{Main|Cinema of Palestine}}
Palestinian cinema production is centered in Jerusalem, with prominent local scenes in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nablus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiff |first=Ben |date=16 August 2023 |title=At local festivals, Palestinian cinema steps out of its comfort zone |url=https://www.972mag.com/palestinian-film-festivals-haifa-jerusalem/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=+972 Magazine}}</ref>
Makram Khoury, Mohammad Bakri, Hiam Abbass, and Amal Murkus emerged as popular faces in Palestinian cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="Brons-2024" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Makram Khoury – Actor Filmography، photos، Video |url=https://elcinema.com/en/person/2102040 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=elCinema.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=14 Palestinian Celebrities You Should Know |url=https://www.ranker.com/list/palestinian-celebrities/celebrity-lists |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Ranker}}</ref><ref name="Brons-2024">{{Cite web |title=Palestine Cinema |url=https://www.palestinecinema.com/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=palestinecinema.com}}</ref> 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).<ref name="Brons-2024" />
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven Years, '5 Broken Cameras': Documenting the Occupation |url=https://www.documentary.org/online-feature/seven-years-5-broken-cameras-documenting-occupation |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=International Documentary Association}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam |url=https://thepffa.nl/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=thepffa.nl}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home Page |url=https://palestinianfilmfestival.com.au/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Palestinian Film Festival}}</ref>
=== Sports === {{Main|Sport in Palestine}}
[[File:East Jerusalem by Mujaddara - panoramio (3434).jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Khalidi |first1=Issam |last2=Raab |first2=Alon K. |year=2018 |title=Palestine and the Olympics: a history / Issam Khalidi, Alon K. Raab |url=https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/174649/palestine-and-the-olympics-a-history-issam-khalidi-alon-k-raab |journal=Palestine and the Olympics: A History / Issam Khalidi, Alon K. Raab |series=International journal of the history of sport}}</ref> Palestinian Olympians 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2023 |title=Palestine Handball Federation |url=https://asianhandball.org/member-ple/ |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=Asian Handball Federation}}</ref>
Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Palestine,<ref name="AusEmb-2024" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adil |first=Hafsa |title=Palestine bow out of Asian Cup after spirited display against Qatar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2024/1/29/palestine-bow-out-of-asian-cup-after-spirited-display-against-qatar |access-date=22 February 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> 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 Jerusalem, stands as the largest stadium in Palestine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium {{!}} Palestine, Palestine, Jabal Al Mukaber, Shabab Al Am'ari, Hilal Al-Quds • Stats |url=https://www.onlinebettingacademy.com/stats/venue/palestine/faisal-al-husseini-international-stadium/7829 |access-date=22 February 2024 |website=onlinebettingacademy.com}}</ref> It serves as the home ground for the national football team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestine To play first match in home stadium – The Malta Independent |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2008-10-19/others/palestine-to-play-first-match-in-home-stadium-214806/ |access-date=21 February 2024 |website=independent.com.mt}}</ref> Other notable stadiums include Dora International Stadium in Hebron, Palestine Stadium in Gaza and Nablus Football Stadium in the Nablus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Palestinian football set for the future with refreshed stadium and new modern facilities |url=https://www.fifa.com/football-development/fifa-forward/news/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.com/palestinian-football-set-for-the-future-with-refreshed-stadium-and-new-modern-fa |access-date=22 February 2024 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
Mohammed Hamada is the first weightlifter from Palestine, who won gold at 2022 International Weightlifting Federation Junior World Championships in Greece.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tatham |first=Tierney Bonini,Harriet |title=The Gaza Man: A Palestinian's quest to make it to the Paris Olympics |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/8/11/the-gaza-man-a-palestinians-quest-to-make-it-to-the-olympics |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Palestine|Countries|Asia }} *Outline of Palestine {{Clear}}
== Notes == {{notelist|45em}}
== References == === Citations === {{reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{div col|colwidth=45em}} * {{cite book |title=The SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution |author1=Bercovitch, Jacob |author2=Zartman, I. William |editor1=Bercovitch, Jacob |editor2=Kremenyuk, Victor |editor3=Zartman, I. William |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4129-2192-3|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=The Reality of International Law: Essays in Honour of Ian Brownlie |author1=Brownlie, Ian |author2=Goodwin-Gill, Guy S. |author3=Talmon, Stefan |author4=Jennings, Robert |edition=illustrated, reprint |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FcO3hLQbGXwC |isbn=978-0-19-826837-6 |ref=none}} * Gerson, Allan (1978). ''Israel, the West Bank and International Law''. London: Taylor & Francis. {{ISBN|978-0-7146-3091-5}}. * {{Cite book |last=Grant |first=Thomas D. |title=The Recognition of States: Law and Practice in Debate and Evolution |url={{Google books |id=GAQ8vIJE8_QC |plainurl=yes }} |year=1999 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing |isbn=978-0-275-96350-7|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=Sourcebook on Public International Law |first1=Tim |last1=Hillier |publisher=Routledge |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-85941-050-9|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=The Palestine Yearbook of International Law 1989 |first1=Anis F. |last1=Kassim |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |year=1997 |isbn=978-90-411-0342-0|ref=none|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LoRru2_pAkQ|pages=49, 279, 291, 294}} * {{Cite book |title=Society and Settlement: Jewish Land of Israel in the Twentieth Century |last=Kellerman |first=Aharon|location=Albany, New York |isbn=978-0-7914-1295-4 |url={{Google books |id=XI6uIZJQnU8C |plainurl=yes }} |page=352 |year=1993|ref=none}} * {{cite book |url={{Google books |id=NYszJtC66FAC |plainurl=yes }} |title=Middle East Review |author=Kogan Page |edition=27th |year=2004 |page=161 |publisher=Kogan Page Publishers |isbn=978-0-7494-4066-4 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |title=International Assistance to the Palestinians After Oslo: Political Guilt, Wasted Money |first1=Anne |last1=Le More |year=2008 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-45385-1| page=27 |url={{Google books |id=gnbdQ4k3meIC |plainurl=yes }}|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements |author1=Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan |author2=Mango, Anthony |edition=3rd |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-415-93921-8|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=The Case for Palestine: An International Law Perspective |author=Quigley, John B. |edition=2nd, revised |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-8223-3539-9|ref=none}} * {{cite book |title=The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre: The Arab World |first1=Don |last1=Rubin |isbn=978-0-415-05932-9 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |edition=illustrated, reprint |year=1999 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/worldencyclopedi0002unse_j6c2|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=Armed Struggle and the Search for State: The Palestinian National Movement, 1949–1993 |author=Sayigh, Yezid |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-19-829643-0|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=Philosophical Perspectives on the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict |editor=Tomis Kapitan |author=Segal, Jerome M. |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |year=1997 |isbn=978-1-56324-878-8|ref=none}} *{{cite journal | title = Holocaust Abuse: The Case of Hajj Muhammad Amin al-Husayni | last = Sells | first = Michael A. | author-link = Michael Sells | journal = Journal of Religious Ethics | year = 2015 | volume = 43 | number = 4 | pages = 723–759 | doi = 10.1111/jore.12119 | jstor = 24586167 }} * {{Cite book |last1=Silverburg |first1=Sanford R. |title=Palestine and International Law: Essays on Politics and Economics |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7864-1191-7|ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=The Status of Palestinian Refugees in International Law |first1=Alex |last1=Takkenberg |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998|isbn=978-0-19-826590-0|ref=none}} * {{cite book |url={{Google books |id=scc8EboiJX8C |plainurl=yes }} |title=Recognition of Governments in International Law: With Particular Reference to Governments in Exile |first1=Stefan |last1=Talmon |year=1998 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-826573-3|page=158 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |url={{Google books |id=gP_-8rXzQs8C |page=3325 |plainurl=yes }} |title=Europa World Year Book 2 |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-85743-255-8 |page=3325 |publisher=Taylor & Francis }} {{div col end}}
== Further reading == {{div col|colwidth=45em}} * {{cite book |title=Refugees into Citizens: Palestinians and the End of the Arab-Israeli Conflict |author-link=Donna Arzt |last=Arzt |first=Donna E. |edition=illustrated |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-87609-194-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/refugeesintociti00arzt |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=Law, Power, and the Sovereign State: The Evolution and Application of the Concept of Sovereignty |first1=Michael |last1=Fowler |first2=Julie Marie |last2=Bunck |year=1995 |publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press |isbn=978-0-271-01471-5 |url={{Google books |id=oAp_97VvpMIC |page=59 |plainurl=yes }} |ref=none}} * {{cite book |title=Israel and Africa: The Problematic Friendship |first=Joel |last=Peters |edition=illustrated |publisher=I.B.Tauris |year=1992 |isbn=978-1-870915-10-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/israelafricap00pete |ref=none}} * Shatz, Adam, "We Are Conquerors" (review of Tom Segev, ''A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion'', Head of Zeus, 2019, 804 pp., {{ISBN|978-1-78954-462-6}}), ''London Review of Books'', vol. 41, no. 20 (24 October 2019), pp.{{spaces}}37–38, 40–42. "Segev's biography... shows how central exclusionary nationalism, war and racism were to Ben-Gurion's vision of the Jewish homeland in Palestine, and how contemptuous he was not only of the Arabs but of Jewish life outside Zion. [Liberal Jews] may look at the state that Ben-Gurion built, and ask if the cost has been worth it." (p.{{spaces}}42 of Shatz's review.) * {{Cite book |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/middleeastnortha50thunse |title=The Middle East and North Africa 2004 |edition=50th |editor-first=Lucy |editor-last=Dean |publisher=Europa Publications |location=London |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-85743-184-1 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |title=A History of the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofisraeli00tess_0 |url-access=registration |first1=Mark A. |last1=Tessler |edition=2nd, illustrated |location=Bloomington, Indiana |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-253-35848-6 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |title=The Oslo Accords: International Law and the Israeli–Palestinian Peace Agreements |first1=Geoffrey R. |last1=Watson |edition=illustrated |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-19-829891-5 |ref=none}} {{div col end}}
== External links == {{wikiquote}} {{commons category}} {{Library resources box}} * [https://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=PS Key Development Forecasts for Palestine] from International Futures
=== Government === * [https://info.wafa.ps/ Information Services & News] – official website of Palestinian News & Information Agency * [https://www.president.ps/eng/ Presidency] – official website of the president of Palestine * [https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/ Statistics] – official website of Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
=== History === * [https://info.wafa.ps/Categorys/Details/12 "History"] – Palestinian history at Palestinian News & Information Agency
=== Tourism === * [https://www.travelpalestine.ps/en Travel Palestine] – Palestine's official tourism portal
=== Maps === * {{Wikiatlas}} * {{OSM relation|1703814}}
{{Palestine topics}}
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