Unraveling the Mystery: Are Palestinians Descendants of the Philistines?

Question from an Avi:

"Hello. Since we came to this land, we've faced challenges from Palestinians in Gaza and other regions. They claim the entire land belongs to them and that we took it by conquest. I'm curious, if there wasn't a historical Palestinian people, then who are these Palestinians, and why do they believe this land is theirs? Is peace possible? Thank you."

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Hello Avi, and thank you for your question.

This astonishing phenomenon of unexpected antisemitism in recent times can be seen as evidence of biblical prophecies. Just two generations ago, the threat came from European nations like the Germans, who used racial theories to justify the persecution of Jews. Now, a generation later, Middle Eastern countries unite against us with claims of Israeli occupation, and even enlightened nations join them. Isn't it apparent how history is guided from above with threads difficult to label as mere coincidences?

The Barren Land of Israel

The land of Israel was given to the Jewish people over 3300 years ago. However, due to our neglect of the Torah and commandments, we were exiled 2000 years ago following the destruction of the Second Temple. The land remained loyal, as the Torah promised: "The land shall rest desolate when you are exiled" (Leviticus 26:32). As Ramban wrote, since the Jews left, no nation could settle the land. From Mark Twain's writings in 1869, we know it was desolate and barren without any flourishing agriculture or kingdom. The settlers had to literally build from the ground up to revitalize an empty land.

(Photo: shutterstock)

So where did the Palestinians come from?

There weren't "Palestinians" a century ago. No Palestinian state or cities existed in Israel; no Palestinian leaders or rich historical legacy. In defiance of historic facts, Palestinians claim they are ancient inhabitants, descendants of the Philistines. What's the truth? Let's delve into a brief history lesson...

The Ottoman Empire

Not long ago, the entire Middle East was under Ottoman rule, what we know today as Turkey, for hundreds of years. Israel was conquered by Sultan Selim I in 1516 and remained under Ottoman control until World War I when the British seized the region in 1917. During Ottoman rule, there were no independent states like Jordan, Syria, or Lebanon. Arabs living in these areas freely migrated under the empire's clout.

After the Ottomans, the British and French re-divided the Middle East, crafting new boundaries and independent states like Jordan and Lebanon. Notice the providential timing of WWI and the Ottoman collapse.

The Arabs of the Land

Wandering Arab farmers and nomads already lived scattered across the land, not as a unified people. With the Ottoman fall, refugees from neighboring Arab lands (Egypt, Syria, Turkey, etc.) joined them, later calling themselves "Palestinians" after the ancient Philistines who once fought Israel. The emergence of this group alongside Israel's re-founding carries divine lessons yet underscores our continued need to strive for ultimate redemption, in hopes that one day "nation will not take up sword against nation, nor train for war anymore" (Isaiah 2:3).

In our next installment, we will further explore the origins and aspirations of Palestinians, uncovering more historical and surprising details of the Israeli-Arab conflict of modern times.