WHAT IS POLITICS? 12.2 Fellahin and Bedouin in the Ottoman Empire (secret history of Israel / Palestine pt. 2)
Oct 17, 2025
Dive into the lives of fellahin, the peasants constituting 70% of late 19th-century Palestine, and their early clashes with Zionist immigrants. Explore the Bedouin culture, foundational to Arab civilization, and discover why these groups are often overlooked in mainstream narratives. The podcast unravels the Ottoman influence, the population dynamics, and the social structures that shaped Palestinian society before the 1948 war. Gain insights into localism, gender roles, and the deep emotional ties to land that defined their existence.
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Peasants Were The Majority And The Main Victims
- The Palestinian fellahin were about 70% of the population when Zionist immigration began in the 1880s.
- They later bore the brunt of expulsions in 1948 and their descendants remain displaced.
Economic Integration Favored European Interests
- Integration into the global economy converted the Middle East into a supplier of raw goods and a market for European manufactures.
- European finance took control of banks, transport, and infrastructure, weakening local manufacturing.
Limited Foreign Presence Until Mid-1800s
- Foreign presence in Ottoman Palestine was strictly limited until mid-19th century due to fear of Christian reconquest.
- Western consuls only returned after Ottoman weakness forced concessions in the 1840s–1850s.
