We all know (including Aaron) that there never was a sovereign nation called Palestine. This is a map of part of the ottoman empire in 1881, created by British cartographers.
But here is less talked about topic: migration in and out of Palestine during the 1800’s. 🧵
But here is less talked about topic: migration in and out of Palestine during the 1800’s. 🧵
https://twitter.com/aaronjmate/status/1891178678568022279
First, who fled Palestine- The Christians who were not protected by the Turks fled to Chile during the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The immediate cause of the war involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which Russia threatened to capture and control.
The second wave of Christian flight, due to Ottoman Empire oppression, arrived during World War I. By origin they primarily came from the cities of Beit Jala, Bethlehem, and Beit Sahour.
They were mistakenly called turcos due to Ottomans forcing on them a Turkish nationality.
They were mistakenly called turcos due to Ottomans forcing on them a Turkish nationality.
The area today holds 14 million people. In the first century, that same area had 2.5 million Jews living in the kingdom of Israel.
Between 5th-14th century total population dwindled down to 150k. When explorers called the region a “land without a people”, that’s what they meant.
Between 5th-14th century total population dwindled down to 150k. When explorers called the region a “land without a people”, that’s what they meant.
By early 1900’s Muslim population doubled, Christian population tripled, and Jewish population increased to 94,000. How? Migration.
It is estimated that over 100,000 Arabs have migrated from Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria in a single century due to opportunity, famine, wars, etc.
It is estimated that over 100,000 Arabs have migrated from Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria in a single century due to opportunity, famine, wars, etc.
In 1881, the year the western Palestine map was published, the Ottoman Empire ruled the region, Muslims made 85% of population with 390K inhabitants with a total of 457k population. Eventually the Turks lost to the British, and the Jews beat the Brits and re-established Israel.
Anyway, all this to say - kind of weird to stand around and admire a map of the Ottoman Empire when you call yourself an anti-imperialist.
Map source exhibits.stanford.edu/ruderman/catal…
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