Palestinian Arabs in North America

Most enduringly, the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim influences have shaped the region’s future. Palestine is the “Holy Land” to both Jews and Christians as the birthplace of their faiths. Yet, Palestinians were largely Muslim by the start of the 20th century with pockets of Christians and Jews. However, around the Second World War, there was a boom of Jewish refugees streaming into the area. The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 and the Six Day War in 1967 saw two waves of displaced Palestinian refugees come into North America.
The United States has a population of 168,00 Palestinian Arabs while Canada has a 44,800 strong Palestinian Arab population. US states with the highest Palestinian populations are California, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. The majority of Canada’s Palestinian population is in Ontario with smaller numbers in Quebec and Alberta.
Most Palestinians have assimilated quickly to life in America, comprised of high levels of education and finding employment in professional, technical, or self-employed retail fields. Still, they continue to be very actively involved and aware of the ongoing struggles of their people in their Palestinian homeland. Success and adaptation to American culture for this community does not indicate distance from Palestinian identity. A conscious effort is put forward to maintain a connection with Palestinian culture through food, language, clothing, and religion.
Despite the integration and success of Palestinians settled in North America, the concerns and grief of displacement are a constant pull on the community. Many do not feel settled and long to return to their ancestral lands, some families still possess the keys to their homes. They had locked up before fleeing in 1948, assuming that in a few weeks they could return when the conflict ceased.

Religious Life
Most Palestinians are Muslims and the majority of those are Sunni. Common phrases, traditions, and foods are rooted in the Islamic history of the Middle East. However, Palestinian Islamic leaders in North America bemoan the loss of Arabic language in the American-born diaspora. Arabic is key to
understanding the Quran and thus key to Islamic belief. As fluency in Arabic has declined, the participation of younger Palestinian Arabs in North America in Islamic life has also declined.
These are the Palestinian Arab communities in North America most in need of gospel witness
People Group | Metropolitan Area | Population Size | Concentrated Area | Priority Score |
---|---|---|---|---|
Palestinian Arab | Chicago | 20,612 | Bridgeview | 42 |
Palestinian Arab | New York | 16,253 | South Paterson (NJ) | 42 |
Palestinian Arab | San Francisco | 10,855 | Soma | 42 |
Palestinian Arab | Toronto | 10,271 | Mississauga | 41 |
Palestinian Arab | Los Angeles | 13,593 | Anaheim | 40 |
Palestinian Arab | Dallas Fort Worth | 6,126 | Richardson | 38 |
Palestinian Arab | Washington D.C. | 7,223 | Lanier Heights | 38 |
Palestinian Arab | Cleveland | 7,016 | North Olmstead | 37 |
Palestinian Arab | Houston | 6,534 | Mid West | 35 |
Palestinian Arab | Detroit | 6,177 | Livonia | 33 |