The Umayyad empire was the first of three successive dynasties to dominate the Arab-Islamic world and rule Palestine, followed by the Abbasids and the Fatimids.
Muslim rule was briefly challenged and interrupted in parts of Palestine during the Crusades, but was restored under the Mamluks.
[2] Article 7 of the Mandate for Palestine stipulated that the British mandatory power "shall be responsible for enacting a nationality law".
Article 15 stated that "No discrimination of any kind shall be made between the inhabitants of Palestine on the ground of race, religion or language.
[1] It granted Palestinian citizenship to "Turkish subjects habitually resident in the territory of Palestine upon the 1st day of August, 1925".
[1] Provision for citizenship under some conditions was also defined for some persons habitually resident abroad, as well as the children or wife of a Palestinian man.
Neither Jews nor Arabs had official citizenship status, but had identity cards or were issued Temporary Residence Permits.
The Law of Return of 1950 recognised the right of any Jew (the term was undefined) to immigrate to Israel, but did not itself confer citizenship.
[7] An Amendment in 1971 granted the right to citizenship to Jews who expressed the desire to immigrate to Israel, without taking any formal steps.
After the creation of the state of Israel and before the passing of a new Jordanian Citizenship Law in 1954, Palestinians were incorporated into the Kingdom of Jordan.
It granted Jordanian citizenship to the Palestinians living in the West Bank and refugees that had fled during the war.
In 1976 a law was passed stating that no foreigners could own real property, although Palestinians were later granted the right to own agricultural land.
[15] Jordanian Palestinians who hold two year passports are now required to obtain entry and exit visas to travel to Egypt.
Syria afforded Palestinians refugees all rights of residence, travel, work, business, and ownership on a temporary basis in 1948.
Those who fled to Iraq enjoy equal rights concerning residence, work, and ownership of residential areas.
Given the current economic and political situation in Iraq, the quality of life for Palestinian refugees residing there has a questionable future.
Resolution 194 of the UN General Assembly in 1948, "refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so."
But the Resolution also states: "Instructs the Conciliation Commission to facilitate the repatriation, resettlement and economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees" as an alternative to "return".