Palestine

5 Pages 1255 Words

PALESTINE. The region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea that was known as Palestine changed its identity in May 1948. At that time most of the territory became the state of Israel. A portion adjacent to and west of the river was taken by Jordan, earlier known as Transjordan, in the 1948 war for Israel's independence. This area later became known as the West Bank.
This division between Jordan and Israel reflects modern historical developments. Until World War I and its aftermath, Palestine was also considered to include lands east of the Jordan River. In 1921 Great Britain, which then administered Palestine, partitioned the area, creating the emirate of Transjordan on the east side of the river. It was this region, with the West Bank, that became known as Jordan in 1949. During the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel occupied the West Bank, a situation that continues.
Palestine's significance has always been far greater than its size. Strategically located at the joining of Africa and Southwest Asia, Palestine was traditionally fought over by great powers in Egypt and Mesopotamia in ancient times. Later Christian crusaders from Europe occupied the area, seeking to remove the region from Muslim control. Finally the Zionist movement sought to restore Jewish rule over the region that was once part of the kingdom of Israel. Zionists gained British aid in these efforts. The new state of Israel is partly the result of both efforts that stemmed from the formation of Zionism as a major political movement in the late 19th century and worldwide horror at the murders of 6 million Jews during World War II.
Palestine's geopolitical and historical significance is linked to its position in three major religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The city of Jerusalem is especially significant to these religions. To Jews Palestine is the site of the ancient kingdom of Israel and the land traditionally promised to them by God.Jerusalem is t...