About Palestine
The State of Palestine has a population of 5,4 million living on a total land area of 6 220 km². Palestine shares borders with Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. The governance structure combines elements of a presidential and parliamentary system. The current President of Palestine is Mahmoud Abbas and the current Prime Minister is Mohammad Shtayyeh.
The dominant religion is Islam, with the largest religious minority being Christians. Palestine is home to holy sites of great importance for Islam, Christianity and Judaism, ancient cultural and historical landmarks, many of them being UNESCO world heritage sites. Christian pilgrims can follow Jesus’ life from birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem. Jerusalem also hosts the Al-Aqsa Mosque, significant to Islam, and the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site. Aside from religious landmarks, Palestine offers historic sites like Tel As-Sultan (Jericho), the oldest continually inhabited city on earth, and Hebron, known for its well-preserved Mamluk-style architecture.
Palestinians deeply cherish their diverse and lively culture, rooted in centuries-old traditions, particularly from their agricultural past. Key aspects include strong family ties, warm hospitality, and a deep connection to the land.
Palestinian cuisine is largely influenced by Arabic flavors, featuring dishes like Musakhan, Maqluba, and Kanafeh. Many Palestinian dishes gained popularity in the West as well, such as hummus and falafel. Traditional handicrafts, such as vibrant embroidery, intricate olive wood carvings, and patterned ceramics, showcase the artistic heritage. Traditional artwork, folk music like the Dabke dance, and other cultural expressions remain prominent.
The Nakba and ongoing struggles for Palestinian rights have profoundly shaped modern Palestinian culture. Contemporary art, music, film, and literature often reflect themes of emancipation. Notable Palestinian creatives include Abed Abdi, Mohsen Subhi, Rashid Masharawi, Mahmoud Darwish, and Fadwa Toqan.
Palestinian culture is deeply rooted in the struggle that the Palestinian peoples have been undergoing for nearly 80 years, as well as their resistance. Palestinians value family, solidarity, community and honour above all else.