Origin of the Palestinians

Studies on the origins of the Palestinians, encompassing the Arab inhabitants of the former Mandatory Palestine and their descendants, are approached through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing from fields such as population genetics, demographic history, folklore, including oral traditions, linguistics, and other disciplines. Some see the study of the origins of the Palestinians as having implications in debates related to the matter of indigeneity in the region of Palestine and therefore political legitimacy in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

The demographic history of Palestine has been shaped by various historical events and migrations. Throughout history, there have been periods of a Jewish majority, as in the early Roman period; a Christian majority, as in Late Roman and Byzantine times; and a Muslim majority since the 12th century. The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem and the greater Levant in the 7th century initiated a process of Arabization and Islamization through the conversion and acculturation of locals, accompanied by Arab settlement. This led to a Muslim-majority population, though significantly smaller, in the Middle Ages. Some Palestinian families, notably in the Hebron and Nablus regions, claim Jewish and Samaritan ancestry respectively, preserving associated cultural customs and traditions.

Genetic studies indicate a genetic affinity between Palestinians and other Levantine populations, as well as other Arab and Semitic groups in the Middle East and North Africa. Historical records and later genetic studies indicate that the Palestinian people descend mostly from ancient Levantines extending back to Bronze Age inhabitants of the Levant. They represent a highly homogeneous community who share one cultural and ethnic identity, speak Palestinian Arabic and share close religious, linguistic, and cultural practices and heritage with other Levantines (e.g Syrians, Lebanese, and Jordanians). According to Palestinian historian Nazmi Al-Ju'beh, like in other Arab nations, the Arab identity of Palestinians is largely based on linguistic and cultural affiliation and is not associated with the existence of any possible Arabian origins.

The historical discourse regarding the origin of the Palestinians has been influenced by the ongoing effort of nation-building, including the attempt to solidify Palestinian national consciousness as the primary framework of identity, as opposed to other identities dominant among Palestinians, including primordial clannish, tribal, local, and Islamist identities.