Afro-Palestinians

Afro-Palestinians or Black Palestinians are Palestinians who descend from the Black racial groups of Africa. In the Gaza Strip, around 1% of the population is estimated to be black, with roughly 11,000 Afro-Palestinians residing in Gaza City's Al Jalla’a district, prior to October 2023. In Jerusalem, an estimated population between 200-450 reside in a historic African enclave around Bab al-Majlis, in the Muslim Quarter, as well as communities in other areas of Jerusalem, such as Beit Hanina and At-Tur.

They are a marginalised group that experience double discrimination, both systemic marginalization from Israeli authorities and racism within Palestinian communities.

Notable Afro-Palestinians include former PLO official Fatima Bernawi and PFLP official Ali Jiddah.

History

Background

Historically Palestine was a province under foreign powers. From the Rashidun Caliphate of the 7th-century onward, African slaves were transported to the area of the Caliphate from Egypt via the Baqt treaty slave tribute.

During the middle ages, African slaves were transported to Abbasid Caliphate via the Red Sea slave trade from Africa across the Red Sea.

By the 9th century, it is estimated that some three million Africans had been resettled as enslaved people in the Middle East, working as slave soldiers and slave labourers in the riverine plantation economies.

There are some Palestinian communities that trace their origins to pilgrims from Sudan and Central Africa (mainly Chad) who are said to have reached Palestine as early as the 12th century.