Islam in West Bank and Gaza

Islam in West Bank and Gaza

Islam in West Bank and Gaza - The West Bank and Gaza are Palestinian territories, recognized for their significant Muslim population and deep historical roots, but also characterized by geopolitical conflicts and contested sovereignty.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: الإسلام في الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة (al-Islam fi al-Diffa al-Gharbia wa Qita’ Gazza)
• Turkish: Batı Şeria ve Gazze’de İslam

Historical Context

• The West Bank, lying on the western banks of the Jordan River, was taken over by Jordan in 1952. However, it was lost to Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
• The Gaza Strip, a narrow piece of land on the Mediterranean coast, was similarly lost by Egypt to Israel in the same 1967 conflict.
• The concept of a “Palestinian entity” is partly rooted in these territories, and they provide a foundation for the proposed creation of a fully sovereign Palestinian state.
• Historically, the West Bank and Gaza are only parts of the broader region known as Palestine.

Demographics and Religious Composition

• Gaza Strip: Approximately 99% of the population identifies as Sunni Muslims, while around 0.07% are Christians.
• West Bank and East Jerusalem: About 75% of the population are Sunni Muslims, with 17% Jewish, and about 8% Christian or other religions.

Geopolitical Strain

• Following the imposition of military rule by Israel in 1967, significant civil and political rights of Palestinian residents have been undermined.
• Israel’s policies have included the confiscation of land for Israeli settlements (estimated to house around 250,000 Israeli citizens as of 2002), extraction and diversion of water resources, an annexation of East Jerusalem—all actions viewed as violations of international law.
• The international community generally considers these territories as occupied as defined under international law, reflected in numerous UN security council resolutions such as 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which call for Israel’s withdrawal from these areas.

Important Considerations

• The legal and semantic status of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem as occupied territories remains a contentious issue and pivotal in peace negotiations.
• Diversities and complexities exist within these regions regarding religious and socio-political dynamics, which impact local, national, and international policies and perceptions.

Further Readings

• “A History of Modern Palestine” by Ilan Pappe
• “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A People’s War” by Beverley Milton-Edwards
• “Palestine and the Arab–Israeli Conflict” by Charles D. Smith

Takeaways

• The West Bank and Gaza are intrinsically linked to the larger story of Palestine, deeply rooted in its civilizational and religious history.
• A significant majority of the population in these regions adhere to Sunni Islam, reflecting the broader Islamic ethic found throughout Palestinian society.
• The geopolitical conflicts over sovereignty have deeply affected the lives of those residing in these territories, underpinning their socio-political circumstances.

Conclusion

Understanding Islam in the West Bank and Gaza requires an appreciation of the historical trajectories, demographic realities, and political challenges that shape these regions. These territories are not only bastions of Islamic culture and religion but also pivotal in the broader geopolitical narrative concerning Palestinian statehood and rights.

Certainly, this dictionary entry offers a concise overview, while hinting at the broader complexities of the topic, and provides readers with resources for further exploration.