Pal ‧ es ‧ tine /ˈpæləstaɪn, ˈpælɪstaɪn/ BrE AmE
an area of land which includes the West Bank of the River Jordan, the city of Jericho, and the Gaza Strip, which the Arab population, the Palestinians, want to control as an independent country. Since 1995, this area has been partly independent, and governed by the Palestinian National Authority. Palestine is important as a holy place for Muslims, Jews, and Christians. For much of its history it has belonged to large ↑ empire s , such as those of Egypt, Rome, and Turkey. ⇨ ↑ Oslo Agreement , ↑ PLO