Map of Historic Palestine (Pre-1917)

The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British Government in 1917 during World War I was the public announcement of its support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. At this time, Palestine was under Ottoman control, with a small Jewish population constituting less than 10 percent of its population. Despite its conflicting promises, Britain would go on to occupy Palestine and deny the Palestinian Arabs their independence. This led to mass Jewish migration between 1918 and 1947, supported by Zionist organizations.

This map presents the Pre-British Mandate of 1917, filled with Palestine’s flora, which represent Palestinians’ deeply rooted historical claim to their land and resolve to return. Olive trees, shiqaqqul-anam (poppy flower), Faqqua Iris (Palestine’s national flower), Sabar (prickly pear cactus), Handal (citrullus colocynthis), Za’atar (thyme), all hold deep symbolism of Palestine's unity and deep sense of nationhood. Plants have been used for medicine, food, agriculture, and way of life. Containing three major ecoregions, Palestine provides wondrous biodiversity for its people and wildlife.