Indigeneity in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

The notion of indigeneity—the quality of being descended from the native or autochthonous inhabitants of a territory, especially a territory that has been colonized—has been central to debates about political legitimacy in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. These debates have centered on whether or not Israeli Jews, Palestinians, or both peoples are to be defined as indigenous peoples to the region of Palestine. During the 21st century, many Zionists have advocated the view that Jews are the indigenous people of the Land of Israel. Advocates of the Palestinian cause often advocate the view that Palestinians are an occupied indigenous people and that Zionism is a form of settler colonialism. Some observers consider both Jews and Palestinians to be indigenous.