Palestine Exists. Always has been.

The history of Palestine is long and complex, marked by a series of significant events, conflicts, and changes over the centuries. Here is a brief overview of key historical periods and events in the history of Palestine:

Ancient History:

The region of modern-day Palestine has a history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation as far back as the Paleolithic era.

It was inhabited by various ancient civilizations, including the Canaanites, Israelites, Philistines, and others.

Jerusalem, one of the most important cities in the region, was established as the capital of the Israelite Kingdom under King David and his son, King Solomon.

Roman and Byzantine Rule:

In 63 BCE, the Roman Empire conquered the region, and it became known as the Roman province of Judea.

The Jews revolted against Roman rule in 66 CE, leading to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.

The region was later part of the Byzantine Empire.

Islamic Conquest:

In the 7th century, Arab Muslims under the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates conquered the area, and it became part of the Islamic world.

Jerusalem gained significance as one of Islam's holy cities.

Crusader Period:

During the medieval Crusades, European Christian forces captured Jerusalem in 1099 and established Crusader states in the region.

Ottoman Empire:

From the 16th century to the early 20th century, Palestine was under Ottoman rule.

The majority of the population was Arab and Muslim, with significant Christian and Jewish communities.

British Mandate:

After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate over Palestine in 1920.

Tensions between Jewish immigrants and the Arab population increased during this period.

The Balfour Declaration:

In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

Arab-Israeli Conflict:

The conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine intensified during the first half of the 20th century.

The United Nations approved a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states in 1947, leading to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

Modern History:

The establishment of Israel led to the First Arab-Israeli War (1948-1949) and several subsequent conflicts, including the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973).

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, with disputes over territory, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem at its core.

The Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, have been the focus of ongoing conflicts and peace negotiations.

Recent Developments:

The Oslo Accords in the 1990s led to limited Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

Peace negotiations have continued, but significant challenges persist, including issues related to borders, settlements, and the status of Jerusalem.

The history of Palestine is a complex and deeply rooted one, with many different perspectives and narratives. The region continues to be a focal point for international attention and conflict due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

So, in terms of modern nation-states, Israel is younger than the concept of Palestine as a geographic and cultural region. However, both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples have deep historical ties to the land, and the conflicts and claims related to the region's history are at the heart of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.