Palestine has a complicated and controversial history. According to historians, this region has been under 13 separate occupations, including the Assyrians and the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman Empires. Following World War II, the area was under British mandate, during which Great Britain began to establish Palestine as a Jewish homeland as part of the Zionist movement. This began much of the modern conflict that shapes Palestinian nationalism and patriotism today.
Palestine consists of the Gaza Strip along the coast and parts of the West Bank on the east side of Jerusalem. Some countries consider Palestine an independent state, while others do not, but even without recognized borders and sovereignty, the Palestinian people are passionate about their nation and its abundant culture.
Major aspects of Palestinian society and culture include their customs, religion, language, literature, art, costume, and music of the land and its inhabitants, and Palestine’s way of life is closely related to those of its neighboring countries, such as Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
Palestinian Food and Cuisine
Palestinian staple foods include bread, meat, cheese, rice, sauces, soups, and desserts. As expected, proximity to the Mediterranean Sea influences the flavors of Palestine, and herbs and spices play a very important role in Palestinian food– Za’atar is very popular and we recommend that you try it! Accompanying every mouth-watering dish are many choices of beverages, including coffee, tea, orange juice, Limonada, and many more.
Palestinian culture revolves around food; it is involved in every aspect of life. Mealtimes are not simply about nutrition for Palestinians; they are often social occasions. Food culture in Palestine is about spending time with family and friends, showing generous hospitality to guests, and making an event special. From weddings to fast-breaking at iftar gatherings and Eid celebrations, most celebrations and ceremonies include food.
As in many other countries, there is strong national pride in the dishes and traditions revolving around food. Palestine is famous for dishes such as maqlubeh, kunafeh, and many more, and there are lots of sweet and savory offerings. Although most Palestinians include meat in their diet, it is perfectly possible to follow a plant-based diet here.
Languages Spoken in Palestine
Arabic is primarily the first language in Palestine, but many citizens also speak some English and a smaller amount speak Hebrew. Within the Arabic language, however, there are numerous dialects, and Palestine and its Arab neighbors (e.g. Jordan and Syria) speak a dialect from the subgroup of Levantine Arabic.
Modern Standard Arabic is present throughout the Arab world and will also be understood in Palestine, though the local dialect is considered less formal and more familiar. During your time in Palestine you will probably find it easy to pick up a selection of Arabic words and phrases, which means that you will soon be able to move through your day communicating in Arabic!
The Palestinian Dialect (اللهجة الفلسطينية)
The Palestinian dialect (اللهجة الفلسطينية) is the everyday spoken language of Palestine and will be understood by the Palestinian people. It is important to note that some of the words in Modern Standard Arabic are not used in day-to-day conversation in the Palestinian dialect and some people may not understand the more formal language, so if you plan on educating yourself in Arabic before your trip, it is recommended to study the Palestinian dialect in particular.
| Native speakers | 13 Million Palestinians |
| Language family | Afro-Asiatic > Semitic |
| Dialects | Fellahi; Madani |
| Writing system | Arabic alphabet |
| Dialect varieties | Intelligible varieties of Levantine Arabic |
As the Palestinian dialect is one of the closest dialects to Modern Standard Arabic, if you have studied this subject or learned some basic phrases in MSA, you will find that it is relatively simple to pick up the Palestinian dialect, so your time studying will not be in vain. Learning the Palestinian dialect is a great way to build upon your knowledge and expand your language skills.
Religion
Palestine is located in the Holy Land for believers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, so it is likely not surprising that the religious populations in Palestine are, of course, Muslims, Christians, and to a lesser extent, Jews (many Jews live in the state of Israel as opposed to the occupied Palestinian Territories). A modern estimate suggests that over 90% of the population of Palestine identifies as Muslim, and the Sunni sect is the Muslim majority in the region. The Christian population is around 6% and the remainder of the population are likely Jewish or secular.
Christians and Muslims in Palestine
Palestinian culture is based on not only helping family members and neighbors but also strangers and other guests. A Palestinian person will likely automatically offer any possible help that they can if they see someone in distress or simply in need of assistance. And despite their differing views, Christians and Muslims live alongside one another today as they have for hundreds if not thousands of years, which lends harmony to the entire area of Palestine. This harmony imbues Palestine with a special beauty. An example of this harmony is the site of the Church of the Nativity and the Mosque of Omar bin AL-Khattab, both sharing the same location in Manger Square in the heart of Bethlehem city.
Palestinian Culture and Customs
Much of the core of Palestine’s customs and conventions has developed under the influence of the prevalence of Islam and interaction with neighboring countries. Close government ties and immigration between Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and other countries of the Arab world have resulted in similar norms across this region, but if you are a Westerner, you will find that Palestinian culture in general holds a rich array of contrasts from Western culture and is unique and impressive.
Palestinian people are famous for being incredibly hospitable, and you might get invites to have tea or coffee with someone you have just met, as the Palestinian philosophy is to take care of their guests–whoever they are. They will try to make their guests feel comfortable, treating them as if they have known them for a long time or as if they are part of the family, and it is likely a Palestinian friend will invite you to go out with them often, check up on you regularly, and be your friend for a lifetime. In general, Palestinians trust people very quickly and they enjoy meeting with internationals from all over the world and spending time with them.
Theatre, Dance, and Arts Groups
Despite the ongoing political deadlock, Palestinian society has been instrumental in the preservation of native theatre, dance, and various arts groups from this land. With the help of numerous NGOs, as well as an eager international audience and concerned activists, Palestine has ensured the continuation of the arts native here and that they will remain an integral part of any journey to the region.
The Cultural Life of Palestinians
The cultural life of Palestinians did take a hard blow during the crushing burden that was the Second Intifada. However, with those dark days behind them, the famed resoluteness that is a part of being Palestinian has ensured this was only a setback, and in recent times, the region has experienced a cultural revival.
At the heart of this revival has been Ramallah, the de facto capital of Palestine. Being a slightly more liberal city than Hebron or Nablus, Ramallah has recovered from those days when many parts of the city were attacked by Israeli forces and where Yasser Arafat was put under siege, and has since revived itself through a dedication to restoring Palestinian culture.
Now, while still a city with challenges, Ramallah bustles with the energy of a people determined to make a sustainable, vibrant life for themselves. With a constant selection of shows and performances, mixed with a cultural art resurgence, Ramallah unquestionably has something valuable to offer the culturally or artistically-interested traveler.
Palestinians Love an Exchange of Culture
Palestinians are eager to show the rest of the world their culture, as they have not always had the opportunity to do so, and are therefore keen to share knowledge and allow international visitors to experience their homeland. They will gladly engage visitors in many different family and cultural activities and celebrate Palestine, which will make your trip to Palestine full of amazing memories and enjoyable moments.
Locals not only wish to show you Palestinian culture, but they are also equally keen to learn about other peoples’ cultures and want to get to know about their daily habits and how they spend their time. It gives them a glimpse into another culture and way of life.
Israeli Control Over Palestine
It is known that all Palestinian borders are fully controlled by Israel, which decides who enters and who does not. In addition, Palestine does not have an airport as the Israeli forces destroyed the Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza in 2000.
These two facts result in Palestine having fewer visitors compared to other countries that have control over their borders, where visitors can visit more easily. Nonetheless, this makes Palestinians more eager to host internationals who come from different countries around the globe with open arms.
Palestinians are Friendly!
During your time here, you will be among people who want to help make your trip to Palestine enjoyable. You will likely hear them say, “Hello,” or, “Welcome to Palestine,” or, “How are you?”. They will be keen to help you find what you are looking for. All these greetings act as a sign of hospitality and eagerness, as we are always glad to have you here.
Palestinians want to make sure that you feel comfortable and welcome on their sacred land and among their people, no matter where you come from.
Tara Visited the West Bank in February 2020:
“I traveled to Palestine in February 2020; I was based in Abu Dis but traveled around most of the West Bank. The overriding feeling was that of being welcome wherever I went. The residents of Abu Dis soon recognized me and were happy to chat, help me practice my Arabic, and generally assist me in any way possible. They offered advice and expressed concern for my welfare, always happy to know when I returned safely from my excursions. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
The people I met in various towns and cities were all extremely hospitable. I was invited into a family home in Jerusalem, celebrated my birthday with a woman in Abu Dis who had her birthday on the same day, and upon learning that I work with and have an interest in horses, the organizer of our trip to Jericho arranged to include a visit to the local stables. I would recommend Palestinian hospitality to anyone! If at any time you find the intense hospitality overwhelming, just remember that Palestinians only want to ensure that you are well looked after, comfortable, and make sure that you have everything you need.”
Meeting New People in Palestine
Visiting Palestine is an exceptional opportunity for you to meet Palestinian people, experience their daily life, learn Palestinian Arabic, and observe the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict first-hand. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to significantly and positively influence the lives of Palestinians.
As you have read above, living in Palestine is different when compared to living in Europe, the United States of America, Asia, South America, or Australia. Life in Palestine is characterized by intensive social interactions, a spontaneous lifestyle (people and the way of doing things are not organized according to prearranged plans), hospitality, and an eagerness to know about others and the wider world.
Palestine is Culturally Rich
Despite the occupation and the one-sided news that filters out of Palestine, the region of Palestine is as culturally rich as its people are welcoming. If a cultural experience is what you are after, you could do no better than coming to this part of the world.
Conclusion
Your time in Palestine will be rich and rewarding. No matter how long you have to spend immersed in this culture, it will be time well spent. It is incredibly easy to engage in Palestinian culture and feel more than just a tourist, and if you take time to make friends and walk the unbeaten path, you will have more pictures, stories, and adventures by the time you return home than you could have imagined.
Though cultural differences will likely exist, you will find yourself welcomed and appreciated at a home away from home. Most international visitors adapt relatively easily to life in Palestine and enjoy a change of scenery and pace.
Finally, we encourage you to arrive with an open mind, be eager to learn, and be motivated to participate in Palestinian culture. You will have a richer experience this way and leave knowing more about Palestinian food, language, religion, and zeal for life.
We encourage you to document your experiences and share your love of Palestine with others, as this helps to raise awareness and may encourage others to visit the West Bank and experience life in Palestine!
We are sure you will have a wonderful and unforgettable stay here in Palestine, and can’t wait to welcome you.
