high school student asked me 'was Palestine ever its own country'?

[tooncesj0nes]

ok duers..you all are the best..how would you answer the question 'was palestine ever its own country'..and if not, what right then do they have to the land they are on?? Id love to hear both sides of this argument any any links to worthy sources would much be appreciated...my girlfriends little sister has a deep desire to understand this issue and Im afraid Im not much help.....

[Trajan]

1. Palestine ....

Was a name of the region called 'Syria Palestina' during the Roman Era ....

The word 'Palestine' is believed to be a synonym for the word 'Philistine' ....

Some of those in the region are thought to be related to the Philistines and Canaanites, among other peoples of the area ....

[Wonk]

2. It used to be part of the Ottoman empire. Google if you want more history.

http://www.mideastweb.org/palpop.htm

(snip)

The Population of Palestine Prior to 1948

The population figures for mandatory and Turkish Palestine are of historical interest and figure in many historical debates. The Zionist claim that Palestine was "a land without a people" is challenged by pro-Palestinian historians who cite census figures showing a substantial Palestinian-Arab population by 1914. The Zionists note that most of this increase seems to have occurred after 1880, when Jews began developing Palestine. Census figures of the Ottoman Empire were unreliable. Foreign and illegal residents did their best to evade the census, as did people wishing to evade military services and taxes. The population figures of the British mandate were more reliable, but there was no census taken after 1930, or if there was, the figures were kept secret. Mandatory figures for the period after 1930 are based based on hospital and immigration records and extrapolation, it seems.

(/snip)

Now, as to why this thread will be locked, read this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x21970

New threads must be based on a recently-published news item or op-ed piece. They may not be based on editorial cartoons or photographs. Citations and references should include a link to the original source. Exceptions will be allowed if, based on prior approval, the moderators feel a thread is appropriate.

[undergroundrailroad]

3. Locking per I/P Guidelines.

Not a recent article or op-ed.

Please refer to guidelines when posting in I/P forum.

Thank you.

Locking.



Undergroundrailroad
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