Both Palestinians and Jews Are Native to Israel-Palestine Even if they are White.

In the deeply contentious debate surrounding Israel-Palestine, one of the most common arguments used to discredit either side is the claim that the other is "not native" to the land. Some argue that Jews are not indigenous because many have European ancestry, while others claim that Palestinians are not native due to historical migrations. This argument, however, is both counterproductive and flawed. The path to peace and justice in Israel-Palestine requires recognizing the equal nativeness of both peoples, regardless of historical narratives that seek to exclude one or the other.

Both Palestinians and Jews Have Deep Roots in the Land

The historical record and genetic evidence confirm that both Palestinians and Jews have long-standing ties to Israel-Palestine. Jewish attachment to the land dates back thousands of years to biblical times. Meanwhile, Palestinians, descend from a mix of ancient peoples-including Canaanites and Europeans, among others. Palestinians have continuously inhabited the region of Israel-Palestine for thousands of years. Neither group's claim to nativeness should be used to delegitimize the other.

If You Question One Side's Nativeness, You Must Question Both

One common argument used to challenge Jewish nativeness is the claim that many Jews have European ancestry, particularly Ashkenazi Jews. However, if this logic is applied consistently, the same argument must also be made about Palestinians, who also have European ancestry due to thousands of years of trade, migration, and conquest. One quick walk through Palestinian cities like Hebron and Nazareth for example, will reveal that most Palestinians are indistinguishable from Southern European Whites. That is one of the reasons, the United States has categorized Palestinians as white since the late 1800s. Thus, if European ancestry disqualifies Jews from being native, then by the same reasoning, it will disqualify Palestinians.

Genetic studies demonstrate that Palestinians, like Jews, have historical ties to Europe and the broader Mediterranean world. Several key factors illustrate this shared ancestry:

1. Genetic Overlap with Southern Europeans - Genetic studies reveal that Palestinians share significant genetic overlap with Southern Europeans, including Greeks, Sicilians, and other Mediterranean groups. This is due to centuries of historical interactions, trade, and migration.
2. Ancient Shared Ancestry - Palestinians descend from the ancient Canaanites, with genetic ties to Anatolian (modern-day Turkey) and European populations. Genetic evidence suggests that modern Palestinians and Jews share ancestral ties with ancient Mediterranean peoples of Europe.
3. Hellenistic and Roman Influence - Palestine was deeply connected to the Greco-Roman world, particularly following Alexander the Great's conquests. Greek settlers and later Roman influence left a lasting genetic imprint on Palestinians.
4. Crusader Genetic Influence - During the Crusades (1095-1291), European settlers intermarried with the local Palestinian population. As a result, modern Palestinians carry substantial traces of European genetic ancestry.
5. Mediterranean Genetic Continuity - The Mediterranean has long been a region of migration and intermixing. Palestinians, like Jews, have genetic ties that connect them to the broader Mediterranean world, including Europe.

A Call for Mutual Recognition and Equal Rights

Rather than using historical or genetic arguments to exclude one side, we should recognize that both Palestinians and Jews have a deep connection to Israel-Palestine, even if some of their ancestors were Europeans. Attempting to discredit the nativeness of one group only serves to perpetuate conflict and division. Instead, we must move toward a vision of a united country based on equal rights for all who call this land home.

The future of Israel-Palestine should not be determined by who is "more native" but by who is willing to build a just and shared society. Whether one believes Jews or Palestinians are more indigenous is irrelevant to the urgent need for peace, coexistence, and equal rights. Both people have suffered greatly, and both deserve to live in dignity, security, and freedom.

Recognizing the shared ancestry, history, and deep-rooted presence of both Palestinians and Jews is a necessary step toward reconciliation. Instead of weaponizing history and genetics to exclude, we should use them as a foundation for mutual understanding and coexistence. A future of unity, justice, and equality is possible only if we abandon exclusionary narratives and embrace the simple truth: both Palestinians and Jews belong to this land.

By Kamal Nawash