The history of Palestine is long and important. It was the native land of numerous prophets over the centuries, and the home of many great civilizations. Palestine's location at the center of various routes linking three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa) made it the melting pot for many religious and cultural influences, from Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Asia Minor.

The Palestinians and Israelis have a history of fighting, bitter disagreements and deep religious tensions going back 1948 when the Israeli state was formed. Since then, Palestinians have fought to establish their own nation and retake the land that was taken by Israel. Both sides have disagreed over the holy city of Jerusalem, which is religiously significant to Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.

The question of who owns Palestine does not have a simple answer. The struggle between Israelis and Palestinians goes back to ancient times, when the ancient Israelites lived in and around Palestine, and fought many wars with their neighbors. In a sense, the current conflict is an extension of those religious wars.

Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader who spent a lifetime fighting for his people, died last year in a Paris hospital at the age of 75. As the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), many Palestinians and others across the world believed Arafat was a symbol of the search for an independent Palestinian nation. Others saw Arafat as a violent man who got in the way of peace between Israel and Palestine.

Recently, Hamas won national elections. This organization is known domestically as a provider of much needed aid to the Palestinian people. However, internationally, they are known as a terrorist organization. It will be interesting to see if the organization becomes more moderate as they gain power, or will they keep their extremist course resulting in international isolation and eliminating any hope for a peaceful compromise between Israel and Palestine.