PALESTINE فلسطين

PALESTINE


BY
FAISAL SWAIDAN


بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى،
الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ، لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا، إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ)
صدق الله العظيم

SURAT AL – ISRA
(THE JOURNEY BY NIGHT) XVII
In The Name of Allah
The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
Glorified Land Exalted be He (Allah) (above all that (evil) they associate with him). Who took his slave (Muhammad (P.B.U.H) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid Ul Harram at Makkah to Al Masjid Ul Aqsa (in Jeruslem), the neighborhood whereof we have blessed, in order that we might show him (Muhammad P.B.U.H) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs etc). verily, He is the All- Hearer, the All-Seer
PALESTINE
1. Introduction. Palestine, a Jew stab in the heart of Arabs and Muslims, a country which is a symbol of steadfastness against the Israeli atrocities is a nation of brave people who are struggling against the Israel almost empty handed since long. Muslims throughout the world have an emotional attachment with this piece of land being the first “QIBLAH” and the third most sacred place towards which Muslims turn. The apostle of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said “Journeys are not to be made except to these mosques the mosque of mine, the sacred mosque and Al Aqsa Mosque”.
2. Palestine is a victim of US and the West supported Israel in the 20th century till now and leaves a question mark on the face of Western community who claims high to be so called civilized nations. Palestine always expect a much more support from Muslims across the globe in their just struggle against Israel.
3. Aim. The aim of this presentation is to introduce my beloved country
4. Sequence
• An over view of Palestine
• Education
• Climate
• Economy
• Communication
• Tourism
• The Arab Israel Wars
• The Palestine Israel Wars, Intefada
• The Wall
• Government
• Conclusion


5- An over view of Palestine
Palestine is the home of history form where the human life started and where it will end (Dooms Day).
1- History:
a- The Canaanites. These are the earliest known inhabitants of Palestine, and the thought are to have settled there about 3000 B.C. The Canaanites gave the country the early name of the land of Canaan.
b- The Philistines. These people settled in the southern part and eastern coast, they remain in control of the territory for several centuries. This ultimately became Palestine, its modern name. The Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites and the Philistines.
c- Roman Rule. Romans ruled for more than three centuries.
d- Muslim Arab Rule. Muslim Arab rule started when Al Khaliefa Omar Bin Al Khatab opened Jerusalem without war and made an agreement with the Christians known as “Al Ohdah Al Omaria” which gave protection to the holy places of Christians and the people of Jerusalem. Muslims rule remained till the end of the Ottoman (Turkish conquest )
e- The British Mandate. After the World War 1st, British controlled parts of the Ottoman Empire and assigned as Mandalay power on Palestine on 25 April 1920. During the British Mandate Jews strengthened themselves with the help of British especially after the Balfour’s declaration on 2nd Nov 1917 which gave Jews the right to establish their country in Palestine.
2- Political Zionism:
a- Zaniest Occupation. After the 1948 War between Arab and Israel, Israel created its promised state in part of Palestine and after 20 years Israel completed the occupation of the remaining part in the 1967 War and captured Jerusalem with other Arab Lands like Gollan heights etc.
b- The Promised Land of Israel (Big Dream from the sea to the river)
- Palestine
- Egypt
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Jordan
- Iraq
- KSA
- Kuwait
3- Palestine Liberation Organization PLO. In 1964, the PLO was founded at the summit meeting of the Arab League to provide legitimate and organized channel for Palestinian nationalism which was offered by scattered Palestinian Guerrilla Groups. Moreover, PLO became the identity for all Palestinians all over the world.
4- Land and Geography
a. Palestine is located on the eastern cost of Mediterranean Sea in south western Asia. Palestine is surrounded by Mediterranean sea in west with 224 km Coastal area, Syria is in North East with border of 70 km, Jordan in east with border of 360 km and also Dead sea is located between Jordan and Palestine. The Gulf of Al – Aqbaa is in South with 10.5 km beach, Egypt is in South West with border of 240 km.
b. The total area of Palestine is 27077 sq km.
c. The Capital of Palestine is Jerusalem.
d. Major cities in the West Bank are:-
(1) Central (Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah)
(2) Northern (Nablus, Tulkarm, Jenin)
(3) South (Bethlehem and Hebron)
(4) Gaza strip/Gaza city, Dir Elbalah, Khan Younis Rafah.
(5) Cities in the area of 1948 under the control of Israel/Haifa, Yafah, AKA, Lud.
5- People. The latest census of the Palestinians in Palestine and Diaspora was carried out in 2008 and the total population is about 13.700.000 millions:
- 2.300.000 West Bank
- 1.500.000 Gaza Strip
- 1.500.000 Occupied territories (Green Line) and east Jerusalem
- 7.200.000 Refugees (after 1948 & 1967 wars) in Lebanon, Syria & Jordan
- 1.200.000 Around the world
6- Language. The national language of Palestine is Arabic which is the language of the Holy Qur’an. English is also widely understood and spoken in Palestine and Hebrew.
7- Religion. Islam is the majority religion, around 92% then the Christians, approximately 8%.
8- Dress. Men wear long white fitting Robes and also some wear turbans. Women usually cover their heads with a scarf and wear long loose fitting dresses.
6- Education. The literacy rate of Palestine is 91%.
(1) Palestine has the highest literacy rate in Arab world.
(2) main universities :
- Bierzait univ (Ramallah)
- AL- najah univ (Nablus)
- Jerusalem univ (Jerusalem)
- Opened Jerusalem univ.
- Al Azhar univ (Gaza)
(3) Education up to secondary level is free for all.

7- Climate. We have four seasons in a year.
(1) Winter (0 to 16o C)
(2) Spring (18o to 24o C).
(3) Summer (24o to 34o C).
(4) Autumn (16o to 25o C).
8- Economy Economy is dominated by agriculture:
- Citrus fruits
- Vegetable
- Olives
- Olives oil
- Flowers and other field crops
9- Currency. Palestinian currency notes and coins in the historical perspective from 1927 to 1946. Presently we are using three different currencies in our country which are:-
(1) Jordanian Dinar
(2) New Israeli Shekel
(3) US $
10- Communication and Transportation
a- Buses and Taxis are public transportation.
b- Safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank (closed from 2000 till now)
c- Arafat Air Port in Gaza (closed by Israeli occupation during the Intifada in year 2000 till now).
d- Gaza port (also closed).
11- Tele-Communications: Three Tele-Communication Companies:
a- Land line (ITISALAT)
b- Mobiles phones (JAWWAL)
c- Mobiles phones (AL-WATANIA)

12- Tourism
a. Palestine may not be highlighted on the world tourism map because of political and other reasons. This does not, however, change the fact that Palestine is one of the greatest places to visit for all type of travel. After all it was Palestine where the human civilizations started and flourished. The world’s great religions, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and all flourished in Palestine. Jerusalem the city of peace is a witness to the great culture and religions mixture.
b. Palestine is rich with old history and holy places, such as Al-Masjid Alaqsa, Dome of Rock, Church of Nativity, Grave of Prophet Mousa, the oldest city in Jericho and many more historical and religious places.
13. Arab Israel War
a. Arab Israel War 1948. Israel defeated combined forces of Arab nations including Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq which actually was controlled by British. As a result of this war, Israel occupied more lands of Palestine and the other parts of Palestine were controlled by Jordan and Egypt.
b. Suez Crisis. In June 1956, Egypt Nationalized the Suez Canal which had been jointly owned by Britain and France. In October, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula and then Britain and France attacked Egypt a few days later. Israel then withdrew from the Sinai and Gaza Strip.
c. 1967 (Six Days) War. Again in June 1967, Egypt, Syria and Jordan massed their armies on Israeli border. Israel struck first with assistance of US and caught Arabs by surprise. In six days war that followed, Israel demolished the armies and air forces of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. It also gained control of the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights region of south western Syria.
d. 1973 Ramadan War. Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat reorganized the Egyptian army in the early 1970s. Syria also prepared for war and received weapons from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). Israel in turn fortified its forward positions and was supplied with weapons by United State. The Arabs attacked in October 1973 on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year and caught Israel by surprise. Israel however, quickly recovered from surprise and again pushed the forces into Arab territory, surrounding and destroying the bulk of Egyptian and Syrian forces. Israel suffered greatly in the three weeks war especially from the injuries, deaths and massive physical destruction in first 2 days. Moreover, Israel’s consistence was shaken and Arab confidence was raised.
14. Palestine and Israeli Wars and the Intifada
a- Al-Karamah Battle. After the 1967 war, the atmosphere in Arab countries was against their regimes because of the result of 1967 was. In the eastern side of Jordan River, the Palestinian Guerillas started creating, headache to the winner Israeli Army by its daily Guerrilla operations in side the West Bank against the Israeli patrol. The Israeli action was to destroy the bases of the Guerrillas in the Jordan valley in a small village called (Al-Karamah), situated east of Jordan River. But it was a surprise for the Israeli Army and for Arab people where the unity between the Palestinian Guerrilla and Jordanian Army could return the dignity for “Arabs and Muslims”.
b- Lebanon War 1982. Following Camp David peace agreement with the involvement of US between Egypt and Israel, PLO was undertaking continuous military operations inside Israel from its base in Southern Lebanon. Israel tried to wipe out the PLO by attacking its bases in Lebanon in a bid to stop the Guerrilla operations which made headache for Israelis. Israel army reached Beirut and surrounded the capital of Lebanon for 88 days. Under the pressure of the national parties of Lebanon, the PLO left its bases in Lebanon and tried to build up new bases else where?
c- Intifada (Uprising). In 1936 the first intifada began against the British mandate when Palestinians acknowledged about the British plans towards Palestine i.e creating a state for Jews in Palestine. That Intifada continued for six months.
d- Second Intifada. In Nov 1988, Palestinians began the Intifada through a wide spread campaign against the continuing Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The campaign combines elements of mass demonstrations, civil disobedience riots and military operations. The Intifada put the attacking Israeli army on the defensive and forced them to devote significant resources to patrolling the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a police force. Many soldiers including civilian reservists were injured or killed as a result of the brutal tactics against Palestinians. Intifada’s pressure forced Israel to broaden the peace process and the opportunity was provided in 1991 through Gulf War.
e- Third Intifada. In 2000, a US-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian summit at Camp David failed to produce a comprehensive peace agreement, and resultantly President Arafat refused the Israeli proposal to control Jerusalem. In Sep 2000 after the Sharon’s visit to Al-Aqsa, the third Intifada began. This Intifada known as Al-Aqsa Intifada was aimed at to protect The Al-Aqsa mosque from the Israeli control. In this Intifada, Palestinians martyrs were more than 4000, many injured and more than 10000 were taken prisoners. Israeli lost more than 1000 lives, many injured and the economy suffered a downfall.
f- Gaza War. 27/12/2008: in this war:
- 1440 killed (431 children, 114 women, others 895 most of them civ)
- 5380 injured
Israel was destroyed
- 14000 houses
- 128 gov establishment
- 53 UN =
- 15 hospitals =
- many mosques and schools
15- THE WALL: Israeli Government decided in June 23, 2002 to the establishment of a buffer wall along the West Bank, Separating wall between the West Bank and Israel. The total length of the wall 655 klms, Cost per each klm one million dollars has been at times to uhtwo million dollars.
The objective of the establishment of the wall is the annexation of Jewish settlements and Palestinian land to Israel.
Up the wall 8 meters high and 12 meters around the city of Jerusalem, covered with barbed wire, and electronic alarms.
Include the separation wall systems and checkpoints and camps of the army and police patrols, Palestinians will be in a big prison. This project is the implementation of the strategic ideas of serving the old Israeli security establishment
16- GAOVERMENT, POLITICAL SYSTEM AND NATIONAL FLAG
a. Palestine government has Parliamentary system in which the Parliament members are elected by the people. President Mahmoud Abbas is elected by the people and he is holding executive powers. The Prime Minister is Salam Fayyad who has been appointed by the president.
b. National Flag as shown in the.

17- Conclusion. Palestine is a story of millions of deprived people who have been expelled from their home in this civilized world. Being the honored servants and citizens of the Holy land, Palestinians had to pay a high cost in tears, blood, atrocities punishment and suppression but will continue to do so till the liberation of Al-Quds and all Palestine Insha-Allah. We all Palestinians are sure that one day all the Muslims of the world may join the noble cause of Islam. Being a freedom fighter, fighting bravely for freedom and a struggler for the liberation.


THANK YOU