Overview
The Basic Map
Palestinians also live as citizens of Israel and across a large diaspora. A person can therefore be Palestinian and also be Gazan, West Banker, Jerusalemite, an Israeli citizen, a refugee, or a citizen or resident of another country. These descriptions are related, but they are not interchangeable.
history
What Does “Palestine” Mean?
“Historic Palestine” usually refers to the land governed under the British Mandate between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Using that historical term does not by itself settle present borders or the rights of the people living there. Good writing states which place and period it means.
history
The Gaza Strip
Israel withdrew its settlements and permanent ground presence from Gaza in 2005. Hamas became the de facto internal governing authority after its 2007 takeover, while later wars changed conditions and control on the ground. Israel has continued to exercise key elements of authority from outside Gaza. Access and control at the Rafah crossing have also changed during wartime, so current conditions should be checked in a dated humanitarian source. The ICJ's 2024 summary says Israel's occupation-law obligations remain commensurate with the degree of its effective control, and the ICRC treats Gaza as occupied territory. Israel disputes the post-2005 characterization. Stating the disagreement helps readers understand the law without hiding its humanitarian consequences.
history
The West Bank and East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem includes the Old City and the Al-Aqsa sanctuary. Israel applies its law and administration there after measures it took following 1967. UN Security Council Resolution 478 did not recognize Israel's 1980 Basic Law claim over Jerusalem, and the International Court of Justice treats East Jerusalem as occupied territory. Palestinian Jerusalemites often hold a residency status different from both Palestinian Authority documents and Israeli citizenship. For a current visual reference, use the OCHA interactive map.
history
Palestinian Citizens of Israel
history
Refugees and the Wider Diaspora
UNRWA's original Palestine Refugee category covers people who lost both home and livelihood because of the 1948 conflict, with registration extended through eligible descendants in the male line. That operational definition determines access to UNRWA services; it is not a complete definition of every Palestinian refugee or displaced person. The distinction matters because Palestinians displaced in 1967 and people outside UNRWA's areas may have different records and legal status.
interpretation
People Before Labels
Learning the map should increase moral clarity: distinguish civilians from combatants, peoples from governments, and religious communities from political movements. Precision is part of justice.
Key passage
Quran
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
سورة الحجرات · الآية ١٣
O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
Quran 49:13
Translation: Saheeh International
summary
Key Takeaways: Places and People
Sources
Sources and further reading
Primary texts and works cited in this article.
The Quran — Tanzil Uthmani text with Saheeh International translation
quran
Source linkUthmani-script Arabic text from Tanzil with the Saheeh International English translation.
The Holy Bible, World English Bible (public domain)
bible
Source linkPublic-domain English translation from the World English Bible.
Interactive Map of the Occupied Palestinian Territory
other | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs | OCHA
Source linkA maintained geographic reference for Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, communities, crossings, and humanitarian data; map labels reflect UN terminology.
Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem
other | International Court of Justice | International Court of Justice | 2024
Source linkThe case page provides the advisory opinion, summary, and separate judicial opinions; an advisory opinion is authoritative legal analysis but is not a judgment between two litigating states.
Responsibilities of an Occupying Power in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
book | International Committee of the Red Cross | ICRC | 2024
Source linkExplains the ICRC's legal position on the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza and the humanitarian protections that flow from occupation law.
Hamas-Israel Conflict 2023: Key Legal Aspects
book | Government of Israel | Government of Israel | 2023
Source linkStates Israel's official contrary position on Gaza's post-2005 occupation status; include it as a party's legal argument, not as a neutral adjudication.
Who Is UNRWA Mandated to Serve?
other | United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East | UNRWA
Source linkExplains UNRWA's operational eligibility definition and why people displaced in 1967 may be served under a separate mandate.