Saigon
Gold Member
I this graphic really says all one needs to know about poulation development in the Levant.
What we see is that the Jews were the first to arrive, but were no longer the majority of the population by the 5th century.
Palestinians and Muslims have formed the majority of the population for the past 1,000 years.
Prior to the first Aliyah, there were only 7,000 Jews in the area, a tiny fraction of the population.
Also note that the Jewish community was always focused on two or three cities: Jerusalem, Jericho in particular, whereas the majority of the land had a clear Palestinian/Muslim majority much earlier than the 5th century.
(As the table isn't appearing clearly, I suggest checking the link)
Year Jews Christians Muslims Total
1 First half 1st century CE Majority - - ~2,500²
5th century Minority Majority - >1st century
End 12th century Minority Minority Majority >225
14th cent. (before B Death) Minority Minority Majority 225
14th cent. (after B Death) Minority Minority Majority 150
15331539 5 6 145 157
16901691 2 11 219 232
1800 7 22 246 275
1890 43 57 432 532
1914 94 70 525 689
1922 84 71 589 752
1931 175 89 760 1,033
1947 630 143 1,181 1,970
Demographics of Palestine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
What we see is that the Jews were the first to arrive, but were no longer the majority of the population by the 5th century.
Palestinians and Muslims have formed the majority of the population for the past 1,000 years.
Prior to the first Aliyah, there were only 7,000 Jews in the area, a tiny fraction of the population.
Also note that the Jewish community was always focused on two or three cities: Jerusalem, Jericho in particular, whereas the majority of the land had a clear Palestinian/Muslim majority much earlier than the 5th century.
(As the table isn't appearing clearly, I suggest checking the link)
Year Jews Christians Muslims Total
1 First half 1st century CE Majority - - ~2,500²
5th century Minority Majority - >1st century
End 12th century Minority Minority Majority >225
14th cent. (before B Death) Minority Minority Majority 225
14th cent. (after B Death) Minority Minority Majority 150
15331539 5 6 145 157
16901691 2 11 219 232
1800 7 22 246 275
1890 43 57 432 532
1914 94 70 525 689
1922 84 71 589 752
1931 175 89 760 1,033
1947 630 143 1,181 1,970
Demographics of Palestine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia