Posted by
Mike on Sunday, January 01, 2012 2:06:54 PM
http://www.westernperspective.blogspot.com/
Palestine was the Greek designation for the land of the Sea People who invaded and settled the southern coast of Canaan circa 1175 BC, mixing with the local population and adopting Canaanite language, customs and religion. This today constitutes the Gaza Strip. The Romans used the term in creating the Province of Palestine including Judah and Israel, perhaps in a derogatory sense as they despised the Sea People as an inferior breed. Arabic-speaking Canaanites also live along the West Bank of the Jordan River, and also make up the Lebanese population, which had been under Syrian rule prior to the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.
With the Islamic occupation, the Palestinian Canaanite population was incorporated into Arab culture and spoke Arabic as in Lebanon. Many adopted the Islamic religion while others held to their Christian faith.
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the British mandate allowed Jews to return to Palestine, leading eventually to the creation of the state of Israel. However, the Arab-speaking Canaanite population pre-exists and is separate from the Jewish state. Lebanon did not exist as a separate state until it was recognized by the UN. The world now must recognize that Palestinian statehood is a legitimate goal.