'If Palestine was a real country which we all know didn’t exist than how can the Arabs call themselves Palestinian .

It’s not that they were from this fictional country called Palestine it’s that they created the country to fit the narrative .' The claim is historically misleading because a group of people can share a national identity based on their connection to a specific land and history, even if that land was ruled by empires instead of being an independent country.

Here is a critical analysis of why the statement is incorrect:

The Region Before 1948

Ruled by Empires: Before 1948, the area was not an independent country run by local people. For four hundred years, it was part of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, Britain ruled it under an agreement called the British Mandate for Palestine.

Not Just Palestine: Many modern countries in the Middle East—such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—were also carved out of these old empires after World War I. They were not independent nations prior to that time either.

Where the Name Came From

Ancient Origins: The name "Palestine" is not a modern invention. It comes from the ancient Philistines and has been used for over two thousand years.

Used by Rulers: The Romans, the Byzantines, and later the Ottoman and British rulers all used "Palestine" as the official geographic name for the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It was a well-known place on maps for centuries.

How Palestinian Identity Formed

Generations on the Land: Families farmed, traded, and lived in this specific region for generations. Over time, they shared a common culture, dialect, and connection to the soil.

Growing Together: In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people living in the region began to call themselves Palestinians. This identity grew stronger as they reacted to Ottoman rule, British control, and the arrival of the Zionist movement.

Summary

Identity Does Not Require a State: A group does not need to have a government or a passport already to be a "real" people.

A Real Homeland: Calling oneself "Palestinian" describes a deep, multi-generational link to a real geographic homeland, not a fictional story made up overnight.