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[[File:Map of the Holy Land.jpg|thumb|Map of the Holy Land Divided into the XII Tribes of Israel, by Emanuel Bowen, PUBLISHED 1752.]]

[[File:Map of the Holy Land.jpg|thumb|Map of the Holy Land Divided into the XII Tribes of Israel, by Emanuel Bowen, PUBLISHED 1752.]]

'''Palestine''' is a name sometimes given to part of the land that generally comprises the [[Promised Land]] given to the [[Israelites]] / [[Jews]] in the [[Bible]]. Though historically [[Jews]] did reside there, it is not directly associated with the Jewish promise, as it is a geopolitical designation more than a religious one. Palestine was a later name for the province of Judea in the [[Roman Empire]], who ruled the Jewish people at that time.<ref>http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_name_origin.php</ref>

'''Palestine''' (from Latin: Palaestina; Hebrew: פלשת‎ Pleshet, פלשתינה Palestina; Arabic: فلسطين‎ Filastīn, Falastīn) is a name sometimes given to part of the land that generally comprises the [[Promised Land]] given to the [[Israelites]] / [[Jews]] in the [[Bible]]. Though historically [[Jews]] did reside there, it is not directly associated with the Jewish promise, as it is a geopolitical designation more than a religious one. Palestine was a later name for the province of Judea in the [[Roman Empire]], who ruled the Jewish people at that time.<ref>http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_name_origin.php</ref> The Romans also renamed Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina. 

After the [[Romans]] renamed Israel as Syria Palestina in 132-135 CE, Palestine (from Latin: Palaestina; Hebrew: פלשת‎ Pleshet, פלשתינה Palestina; Arabic: فلسطين‎ Filastīn, Falastīn) is one of many names for the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan. Many different definitions of the region have been in usage in the past three thousand years.

After the [[Romans]] renamed Israel as Syria Palestina in 132-135 CE, Palestine (from Latin: Palaestina; Hebrew: פלשת‎ Pleshet, פלשתינה Palestina; Arabic: فلسطين‎ Filastīn, Falastīn) is one of many names for the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan. Many different definitions of the region have been in usage in the past three thousand years.

==Ancient==

==Ancient==

: ''Main Article: [[Israel#History|History of Israel]]''

: ''Main Article: [[Israel#History|History of Israel]]''

Originally inhabited by a loose bonding of [[Canaan]]ite tribes, the Israelites settled into the area after [[the Exodus]] from [[Egypt]] and were partially succesful in driving out the Canannites and making it their home. Migrations from the 'Peoples of the Sea' led to a strong [[Phillistine]] presence on the coastline, but they were generally subdued by [[King David]] and [[Solomon]] during the height of ancient Israel.  The kingdom was subsequently divided into the [[Northern Kingdom]] and [[Judea]] upon the death of Solomon.  The Northern Kingdom, and the remenants of the Philistine kingdoms, were conqured by the [[Assyrian]]s in the late 8th century B.C. and the kingdom of Judea fell under [[Babylonian]] control in the late 7th century and lost their independence completely in 586 B.C. with the fall of [[Jerusalem]], their capital.  The Jews were allowed to return under the [[Persian Empire]] and the entire area was conqured by [[Alexander the Great]] around 330 B.C.  When his empire broke apart at his death and consolidated into four different regions, it was the [[Ptolemies]] centered in Egypt who controlled the region for the better part of the next two centuries, but conquest by the [[Seleucids]] led to a harsh religious persecution on the Jews in the region.  The Jews revolted and had their independence for almost 100 years before a civil war courted Roman intervention and the area came under Roman control and eventually became the province of Palestine.  Byzantine rule was forcefully removed by the great Islamic waves of the 7th century A.D.  Portions of Palestine were reclaimed under Crusader control from the late 11th century until the mid 13th century, but the overall region was under Islamic control for over 1000 years.

 

 

Originally inhabited by a loose bonding of [[Canaan]]ite tribes, the Israelites settled into the area after [[the Exodus]] from [[Egypt]] and were partially successful in driving out the Canannites and making it their home. Migrations from the 'Peoples of the Sea' led to a strong [[Phillistine]] presence on the coastline, but they were generally subdued by [[King David]] and [[Solomon]] during the height of ancient Israel.  The kingdom was subsequently divided into the [[Northern Kingdom]] and [[Judea]] upon the death of Solomon.  The Northern Kingdom, and the remnants of the Philistine kingdoms, were conquered by the [[Assyrian]]s in the late 8th century B.C. and the kingdom of Judea fell under [[Babylonian]] control in the late 7th century and lost their independence completely in 586 B.C. with the fall of [[Jerusalem]], their capital.  The Jews were allowed to return under the [[Persian Empire]] and the entire area was conquered by [[Alexander the Great]] around 330 B.C.  When his empire broke apart at his death and consolidated into four different regions, it was the [[Ptolemies]] centered in Egypt who controlled the region for the better part of the next two centuries, but conquest by the [[Seleucids]] led to a harsh religious persecution on the Jews in the region.  The Jews revolted and had their independence for almost 100 years before a civil war courted Roman intervention and the area came under Roman control and eventually became the province of Palestine.  Byzantine rule was forcefully removed by the great Islamic waves of the 7th century A.D.  Portions of Palestine were reclaimed under Crusader control from the late 11th century until the mid 13th century, but the overall region was under Islamic control for over 1000 years. Worth mentioning that the Philistines who at one time lived in part of the area were completely conquered by [[King David]].

 

==Modern History==

==Modern History==

== Palestinian state ==

== Palestinian state ==

At least 112 countries around the world have formally recognized Palestine as a state, stretching from Africa to Asia, Europe to Latin America... Around 150 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in one form or another...  

Currently, the Palestinians living in disputed territories, are trying to create a state called Palestine. At least 112 countries around the world have formally recognized Palestine as a state, stretching from Africa to Asia, Europe to Latin America... Around 150 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in one form or another...  

In October, 2011, Palestine was granted full membership at the U.N. cultural organization, [[UNESCO]], in a diplomatic victory won despite stiff resistance from the United States and Israel. [http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/15/182782.html]  

In October, 2011, Palestine was granted full membership at the U.N. cultural organization, [[UNESCO]], in a diplomatic victory won despite stiff resistance from the United States and Israel. [http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/12/15/182782.html]