Afro-Palestinians
Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Al-Akhdam, Afro-Omanis, Afro-Iraqis |
Afro-Palestinians are
There are also Bedouin Palestinians outside Jerusalem who have descent lines linking them to people of African origin[4] such as in the West Bank of Jericho and Gaza.
History
Background
- See also: Slavery in Palestine, Trans-Saharan slave trade, Red Sea slave trade and Indian Ocean slave trade
By the 9th century, it is estimated that some three million Africans had been resettled as enslaved people in the Middle East, working as soldiers and labourers in the riverine plantation economies.
People whose ancestors came from Nigeria, Sudan, Senegal and Chad make up most of the community, and most of these came to Palestine during the
The Jerusalem community of Afro-Palestinians, 50 families
These have close links with similar communities in Acre and Jericho, established when Africans came to work in the Umayyad sugar industry.[14] The community in northern Jericho have often been called "the slaves of Duyuk" even in modern times.[15]
Modern times
Following Ottoman rule,
The African Palestinians who now live in the two compounds near al-Aqsa mosque have called the area home since 1930.[12] They have experienced prejudice, with some Palestinian Arabs[21] referring to them as "slaves" (abeed) and to their neighbourhood as the "slaves' prison" (habs al-abeed), and their colour has led to objections against them marrying Palestinians with lighter skin.[9][3] According to Mousa Qous, director of the African Community Society and a former member of the PFLP, "Sometimes when a black Palestinian wants to marry a white Palestinian woman, some members of her family might object." Interracial marriage with Afro-Palestinians has become more common in recent years.[8] In colloquial Palestinian Arabic, standard usage prefers the word sumr (dark colour) over sawd, which has an uncouth connotation.[22]
By contrast, Ali Jiddah, a tour guide and also a former member of the PFLP, has stated that he personally never experienced prejudice over his skin colour from Palestinian Arabs, claiming Afro-Palestinians enjoy a special status for their contributions to the Palestinian struggle.
The African Community Society (ACS) was established in 1983 as an off-shoot of the former Sudanese Welfare Club, which disbanded following Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem. ACS organizes social activities, sports, mutual aid, and other means to empower Afro-Palestinians in Jerusalem.[23]
Notable Afro-Palestinians
- Fatima Bernawi, first Palestinian woman to organise a terrorist attack on Israel.
- Saeed Al-Err, founder of Sulala Animal Rescue
- Said Fadel, musician and founding member of Sol Band[24]
- Hatem Hany Rawagh, journalist[25]
See also
- Jericho, with a substantial population of black Palestinians
- Beta Israel
- Black-Palestinian solidarity
- Slavery in Palestine
Notes
Citations
- ^ Jerusalem Quarterly2002 Issue 16 pp. 43-51.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jonarah Baker, 'The African-Palestinians: Muslim Pilgrims Who Never Went Home', The New Arab, 26 Dec. 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ilan Ben Zion, The Old City's African secret, The Times of Israel 6 April 2014.
- ^ "The Black Diaspora in Israel, 1965 to 2011 •". 14 December 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-520-26427-42011 pp.50-51
- K. K. Prah, Reflections on Arab-led Slavery of Africans, Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society 2005 p. 198
- ISBN 978-0-827-60358-5p.255.
- ^ a b Kushkush, Isma'il (12 January 2017). "'Afro-Palestinians' forge a unique identity in Israel". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d Isma'il Kushkush, "'Afro-Palestinians' forge a unique identity in Israel" Archived 28 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press 12 January 2017
- ^ ISBN 978-1-841-62367-2p.94
- ISBN 978-0-827-60358-5p.254.
- ^ a b c Sara Hassan, The hidden resistance of African-Palestinians TRT World 15 May 2019
- ISBN 978-0-827-60358-5p.256.
- ^ "Enslaved People's work on sugar plantations – The Saint Lauretia Project". Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Qous, Yasser. "The Africans of Jerusalem: alienation and counter-alienation". Goethe-Institut Cairo/Perpectives. Chris Somes-Charlton. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ "Nominal leases | Tax Guidance | Tolley". www.lexisnexis.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ Miller, Daniel. "The history of 'Israel' and 'Palestine': Alternative names, competing claims". The Conversation. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Falling in love with Jerusalem". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Islamic world - Islamic history from 1683 to the present: reform, dependency, and recovery | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- K. K. Prah, Reflections on Arab-led Slavery of Africans, Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society 2005 p. 204
- ^ a b c d e David Love, 'In Jerusalem, Afro-Palestinians Are the Hardest Hit in the Israeli Occupation', Atlanta Black Star 29 March 2016,
- K. K. Prah, Reflections on Arab-led Slavery of Africans, Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society 2005 p. 195
- ^ a b Qous, Mousa (8 August 2022). "In the heart of the Old City, generations of Afro-Palestinians persevere in the face of occupation". Skin Deep. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ Sema, Zulal. "Drums of defiance: Palestinian percussionist Anbar's rhythms for liberation". TRT World. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Israeli Forces Drop Leaflets on People in Khan Yunis". Storyful. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.