Palestine

Palestine: A Land of Rich History and Ongoing Struggle

Imagine a land steeped in history, where ancient empires once thrived and modern conflicts continue to unfold. Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is such a place—a territory recognized by 146 UN member states that encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. With a population exceeding five million people, this land has seen countless rulers and transformations over millennia.

The Historical Tapestry of Palestine

From antiquity to modern times, Palestine has been a bridge between Asia and Africa, ruled by various empires and experiencing demographic changes that have shaped its identity. The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to World War I and the rise of the Zionist movement, with Britain occupying Palestine under the League of Nations.

One pivotal moment was in 1948 when Britain handed over the issue to the United Nations, which proposed a partition plan for two independent Arab and Jewish states. The 1948 Palestine war saw the displacement of most of its predominantly Arab population, leading to the establishment of Israel in what Palestinians call the Nakba.

Challenges and Resilience

Since then, Palestine has faced numerous challenges, including ineffective government, Israeli occupation, Islamist factions, a blockade, restrictions on movement, and an overall poor security situation. Despite these obstacles, the country maintains an emerging economy and sees frequent tourism.

The questions of Palestine’s borders, the legal and diplomatic status of Jerusalem, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees remain unsolved. Some describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide, highlighting the complexity and severity of the situation.

Geography and Ecosystems

Palestine lies in the Southern Levant region, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, Israel, and Cyprus. The West Bank is mountainous with fertile valleys, significant lakes, and rivers like the Jordan River and Dead Sea. Three terrestrial ecoregions—Eastern Mediterranean conifer–sclerophyllous–broadleaf forests, Arabian Desert, and Mesopotamian shrub desert—characterize its landscape.

Temperatures vary widely, with a Mediterranean climate in the West Bank and a hot semi-arid climate in Gaza. Spring arrives around March-April, and the hottest months are July and August, averaging 33°C (91°F). The coldest month is January, usually at 7°C (45°F), with annual precipitation rates of approximately 4.57 inches (116 mm).

Conservation Efforts

Palestine lacks officially recognized national parks or protected areas but has conservation efforts in place for areas like Wadi Qelt and the Judaean Desert. The country operates a semi-presidential system of government, consisting of institutions associated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), including the President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority.

Government Structure

The government is divided between Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority, which has partial control over the West Bank, and Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Fatah is a secular party with relatively good relations with Western powers, while Hamas is a militant group inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, with tense relations with the United States but support from Iran.

Security and Governance

The Palestinian Security Services maintain internal security in PA-controlled areas but do not operate as an independent armed force. Hamas considers itself an independent force and has been more powerful than the PSF, along with other militant organizations like Islamic Jihad. It is a guerilla army supported by Iran, Qatar, and Turkey with an estimated 20,000-25,000 members.

Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza provided Hamas with opportunities to develop its military wing. Iran has smuggled weapons to Hamas via Sudan, Libya, and sea, allowing it to develop regional units and build a sizable rocket arsenal. The State of Palestine has security forces, including the Civil Police Force, National Security Forces, and Intelligence Services, which maintain internal security and counterterrorism operations.

Economic Landscape

The State of Palestine is classified as a middle-income and developing country with a GDP of $40 billion and per-capita around $4,500. The economy relies heavily on international aids, remittances by overseas Palestinians, and local industries but is affected by Israel’s closure policy, which has contributed to widespread unemployment and poverty.

One of the burdensome measures imposed by Israel on Palestinian territories is the ‘back-to-back’ system at crossing points, resulting in significant transportation costs and longer transit times for goods. Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, governance of Area C was to be transferred to the Palestinian Authority within 18 months. However, Israel has failed to fulfill its obligations, highlighting the need for accountability and an end to impunity.

The Israeli West Bank barrier has led to an annual economic impoverishment of Palestinians by 2–3% of GDP, while the escalating number of internal and external closures have devastating effects on the region’s economy. A 2015 study estimated that Israel’s illegal use of Palestinian natural resources resulted in a conservative $1.83 billion impact on Palestine’s GDP.

Energy Sources

The Gaza Power Plant is the only power plant in the Gaza Strip, owned by the Palestine Electric Company. The Palestinian Authority aims to reduce dependency on Israel for energy through solar energy projects, including ‘Noor Palestine’ and Qudra Energy’s solar power plants across Jammala, Nablus, Birzeit, and Ramallah.

Oil and gas reserves are estimated at 3-2 billion barrels off the coast and beneath occupied Palestinian lands, with significant potential in the Levant Basin. The Palestinian Authority has developed an oil field in the West Bank through Masadder, which is a subsidiary of the Palestine Investment Fund. Block-1 field: Spanning 432 square kilometers from northwest Ramallah to Qalqilya. Estimated recoverable oil and gas reserves: 0.03 billion barrels of oil and 6,000,000,000 cubic feet of gas. Estimated development cost: $390 million. Carried out under a production sharing agreement with the Government of Palestine.

Transportation

No airport has been operational since Jerusalem International Airport and Gaza International Airport were destroyed. Proposals have been made to build airports in the country, including redeveloping Qalandia Airport. The Port of Gaza is the only coastal region’s port, under naval siege by Israel.

Tourism

4.6 million people visited Palestinian territories in 2010, compared to 2.6 million in 2009. 2.2 million foreign tourists and 2.7 million domestic visitors. Most tourists visit the West Bank for short periods or as part of a day trip, with 40% coming from Europe and 9% from the US/Canada. The occupation affects tourism, but the area is rich in historical sites like the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Education and Culture

The Palestinian Authority aims to promote international visits, but restrictions imposed by Israel limit its potential. Tourism is mostly centered around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with Jericho being a popular spot for locals. Palestine has experienced growth in its high-tech industry since 2008, with significant increases in mobile subscribers, ADSL subscriptions, and internet access.

The Palestinian Authority has issued guidelines for electronic payment services, while the Protocol on Economic Relations prohibits the Palestinian Authority from issuing its own currency. This agreement paved the way for tax collection, leading to significant growth in deposits in Palestinian banks. Combined loan facilities provided by all banks on 31 December 2018 amounted to US$8.4 billion, with Palestinian registered banks accounting for US$0.60 billion of total deposits in 2007 and reaching US$5.02 billion in loans in 2018.

Population and Demographics

The State of Palestine population is approximately 5.3 million, with a population density of about 827 people per square kilometer. Half of the Palestinian population live in the diaspora or are refugees, mainly due to conflict with Israel and subsequent wars.

Culture and Identity

Arabic is the official language of the State of Palestine, with Palestinian Arabic commonly spoken by the local population. Hebrew and English are also widely spoken. Palestinians are natively Arab, but a large number of non-Arab ethnic groups also live in the country, including Kurds, Assyrians, Romani, Druze, Africans, Dom, Russians, Turks, and Armenians.

The literacy rate of Palestine is 96.3%, high by international standards. The education system includes primary, secondary, and vocational education with a focus on Arabic, English, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education. There are 14 universities, 18 university colleges, 20 community colleges, and 3,000 schools in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Conclusion

The State of Palestine stands as a testament to resilience and cultural richness amidst ongoing conflict. Despite numerous challenges, it continues to thrive economically, culturally, and educationally. The journey towards statehood remains complex but hopeful, with international recognition growing and local efforts driving progress. As the world watches, the story of Palestine unfolds, a land where history meets modernity in the heart of the Middle East.