Americans of Palestinian descent, also referred to as Palestinian Americans (Arabic: فلسطينيو أمريكا, romanized: Filasṭīnīyū Amrīkā), constitute a significant ethnic group within the United States, comprising individuals who trace their lineage back to Palestine. As of 2023, their numbers were estimated at approximately 160,000, representing about 0.05% of the total U.S. population, according to data from the American Community Survey. This community is not uniformly distributed but tends to concentrate in specific metropolitan hubs, most notably Chicago, the New York City and Northern New Jersey areas, Philadelphia, Houston, and the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. Smaller but notable populations can also be found in Detroit, New Orleans, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The primary languages spoken within the community are English and Arabic, with Islam and Christianity being the predominant religions. Palestinian Americans are often considered part of the broader Arab and Arab American communities, sharing cultural and historical ties.
This group is part of a larger series examining Palestinians, including their Demographics, Definitions, the historical and geographical entity of Palestine, the History of the Palestinians, the evolution of their Name, the collective identity of People, their Origin, the defining event known as the Nakba, and the phenomenon of the Palestinian diaspora.
History
The narrative of Palestinian immigration to the United States is a layered one, marked by distinct waves and motivations. The Chicago metropolitan area has historically been, and continues to be, a primary destination for this community.
Early Immigration
The initial wave of Palestinian immigrants began arriving in the United States shortly after 1908. This period coincided with a new conscription law enacted by the Ottoman Empire, which compelled all Ottoman subjects into military service. The individuals who left Palestine during this time were predominantly Christian, with only a fraction being Muslim. The 1922 census of Palestine provides a glimpse into this early diaspora, noting 1,778 Palestinians residing in the United States. Of these, 1,352 were identified as Christian, 426 as Muslim, and 19 as Druze. This figure placed the United States as the second-largest recipient of Palestinian emigrants, trailing only the collective listing of South and Central American republics. The flow of Palestinian immigration experienced a downturn following 1924, primarily due to the Immigration Act of 1924, which significantly restricted the number of immigrants allowed into the country, and the ensuing Great Depression, which further dampened migration.
Palestinian Exodus
The demographic landscape of Palestinian Americans began to shift and grow noticeably in the post-World War II era. During the 1950s, a notable influx of Christians from the city of Ramallah began, followed by Muslims from neighboring towns. The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 had profound consequences, leading many Palestinian Jews to become Israeli citizens. Those who retained their Palestinian identity were predominantly Arab, many of whom were displaced during the Nakba as a result of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. However, the most substantial wave of Palestinian immigration to the United States was triggered by the Six-Day War in 1967, a conflict also referred to by Middle Easterners and North Africans as the June War. This period of intensified emigration continued, reaching its zenith in the 1980s.
Modern History
The passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 reopened the doors for significant Palestinian immigration to the United States. The individuals arriving during this period were generally more educated than their predecessors, a trend influenced by the act's preferential treatment for skilled immigrants and a concurrent "brain drain" of professionals and highly educated Palestinians from their homeland.
In the 1990s, certain Palestinian communities within the United States found themselves under heightened scrutiny by government agencies. This was largely due to an FBI-led operation, code-named Operation Vulgar Betrayal (OVB), which collaborated with Israeli intelligence. The operation aimed to detect and dismantle networks allegedly providing financial support to Hamas and Hezbollah among Palestinian Americans. Despite the intensive surveillance, these suspicions ultimately proved unsubstantiated, and no convictions related to terrorism were ever secured. In 2015, filmmaker Assia Boundaoui brought attention to this issue through her documentary, which explored the experiences of Palestinians in Bridgeview, Illinois, and highlighted the questionable tactics employed by the FBI and the lack of transparency surrounding the surveillance efforts.
Demographics
U.S. Cities
The Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area stands as the epicenter of Palestinian life in the United States, hosting an estimated 85,000 Palestinians. This population represents a substantial 60% of the Arab community within the broader Chicago region. Bridgeview, Illinois, often affectionately called "Little Palestine," and its adjacent suburban communities in southwest Cook County, are home to a significant concentration of Palestinian Americans, as well as a large Jordanian American population. The Palestinian community in the southwest suburbs gained prominence through Ta-Nehisi Coates' 2024 book, The Message. Coates recounts visiting a survivor of the Deir Yassin Massacre residing in Orland Park, Illinois, and participating in a meal at a Middle Eastern restaurant alongside local Palestinian activists and leaders.
A considerable number of Palestinians also established communities in the areas surrounding Paterson, New Jersey, and in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which together form a vital part of the New York metropolitan area. Many others found homes in the Houston metropolitan area, the Los Angeles metro area, Metro Detroit, Greater Cleveland, Metro New Orleans, Metro Jacksonville, and Metro Miami.
The southern section of Paterson, New Jersey, is colloquially known as Little Ramallah, reflecting its estimated Arab American population of up to 20,000 in 2015. This area is recognized as one of the most densely populated regions for Palestinian Americans nationwide. It also shares the moniker Little Istanbul due to the presence of a growing Turkish American community.
In Brooklyn, New York, the Arab community in Bay Ridge is another significant enclave, estimated to house around 35,000 individuals. Within this diverse community, Palestinians and Yemenis constitute the largest Arab ethnic groups. Bay Ridge's Arab population is a vibrant mosaic, encompassing many other Arab ethnic backgrounds. The image above, taken during the January 2016 snowstorm, showcases the palpable Arab presence in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, from its array of shops to establishments like Babel Barber Shop.
In San Mateo County, California, there are nearly 3,000 Palestinians, making up approximately half a percent of the county's population. While this number might seem small in absolute terms, it represents a Palestinian American presence ten times higher than the national average. The San Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco itself, has a documented history of Palestinian settlement dating back to the early 20th century.
According to the 2000 United States census, the number of individuals of Palestinian ancestry living in the United States was recorded at 72,112. This figure saw a substantial increase to 171,969 by the 2022 American Community Survey. Accurately quantifying the Palestinian American population presents challenges, partly because the United States does not officially recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, and thus "Palestinian" is typically classified as a nationality rather than an ethnicity tied to a recognized nation-state.
The following tables, based on data from Zip Atlas, highlight the cities with the largest Palestinian communities and the highest percentage of Palestinian residents in the United States.
Top 10 Cities with the Largest Palestinian Community in the United States (Zip Atlas):
| Rank | City | No. of Palestinians |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | 4,376 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | 2,554 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | 2,134 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | 1,971 |
| 5 | Orland Park, IL | 1,876 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | 1,861 |
| 7 | Tinley Park, IL | 1,381 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | 1,285 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | 1,211 |
| 10 | Alafaya, FL | 1,170 |
Top 10 Cities with the Highest Percentage of Palestinian Population in the United States (Zip Atlas):
| Rank | City | Percent of Population as Palestinian |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Junction, IL | 16.07% |
| 2 | Orland Hills, IL | 13.51% |
| 3 | Apple Mountain Lake, VA | 9.20% |
| 4 | Chicago Ridge, IL | 7.87% |
| 5 | Clarkson, NY | 7.62% |
| 6 | Willards, MD | 6.52% |
| 7 | Hickory Hills, IL | 6.10% |
| 8 | Spring Valley Village, TX | 5.57% |
| 9 | Bridgeview, IL | 5.28% |
| 10 | Roseland, IN | 4.99% |
Religion
The religious landscape of Palestinian Americans is diverse, reflecting the broader religious demographics of Palestine. Palestinian Muslim Americans predominantly adhere to the Sunni sect of Islam, with significant adherence to both the Hanafi and Shafi'i madhabs.
Among Palestinian Christians, a substantial portion belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. There is also a notable presence of followers of the Latin and Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Smaller minority groups within the Palestinian Christian community practice various denominations of Protestantism.
Language
While English is widely spoken and serves as the primary language for many, a significant portion of Palestinian Americans also converse in Palestinian Arabic. Individuals who lived or worked in Palestine prior to their immigration may also possess proficiency in Modern Hebrew as a second language. The community's linguistic repertoire is broad, with many Palestinians fluent in a variety of other languages due to their diverse backgrounds and educational pursuits.
Education
Palestinian Americans demonstrate a high level of educational attainment within the United States. Approximately 46% of Palestinians have achieved at least a college degree, a rate considerably higher than the national average of 18% for the general American population. There is a growing emphasis on the study of culture and the Arabic language within the community, particularly at the college and graduate levels. Consequently, various Palestinian and Arab organizations are actively engaged in efforts to enhance the teaching of Arab history and culture in American educational institutions. This focus on education positions Palestinians, alongside Jordanians, as having among the highest educational rates within the Arab world.
Socioeconomics
Within the Palestinian American community, a significant proportion of individuals participate in the labor force: 90% of men and 40% of women. Of those employed, a notable percentage holds professional, technical, or managerial positions, with 40% of men and 31% of women in these roles. The community also has a strong presence in sales, with 26% of men and 23% of women engaged in this sector. The rate of self-employment among Palestinian American men is particularly high at 36%, significantly exceeding the 11% rate among non-immigrant men, though it stands at 13% for women. Among the self-employed, a majority (64%) operate within the retail trade sector, with a considerable number owning grocery stores. In terms of income, the mean family income for Palestinian Americans in 1979 was 109,728 in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars). At that time, 24% of families earned over 10,000.
Culture
The culture of Palestinian Americans is a rich tapestry woven from Eastern Mediterranean influences, sharing many commonalities with neighboring Levantine peoples, including Lebanese, Syrians, and Jordanians.
Cuisine
Palestinian cuisine is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the Levant. Popular dishes include kanafeh, a beloved dessert that originated in Nablus, along with staples such as hummus, falafel, musakhan, and waraq al-'inib, among many other distinct Palestinian dishes. These flavorful dishes, particularly kanafeh, have gained considerable popularity across the United States, with notable recognition in New York City.
Business
Palestinian Americans have a long-standing tradition of entrepreneurship, owning and operating a variety of Middle Eastern grocery stores, shops, and restaurants since their initial immigration to the United States. These businesses are predominantly located in major urban centers like New York City and Chicago, serving as vital community hubs and economic contributors.
Notable Figures
For an exhaustive list, one may refer to the List of Palestinian Americans.
- Yousef Saleh Erakat, widely recognized as FouseyTube, is a prominent Palestinian American YouTuber and online streamer.
- Edward Said, a naturalized Palestinian American professor at Columbia University, is celebrated as the "Father of Orientalism." He was a vocal advocate for the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (ADC), dedicating his work to addressing breaches of civil liberties experienced by Arabs and Muslims in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the hijacking on September 11th 2001.
- Rashid Khalidi is a distinguished Palestinian-American historian specializing in the Middle East. He held the esteemed position of Edward Said Professor Emeritus of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University. His extensive body of work includes the influential 2020 publication, The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017, which critically examines the Zionist claims to Palestine through the framework of settler colonialism and global imperialism. Khalidi concluded his tenure at Columbia University in October 2024.
- Huwaida Arraf is a Palestinian activist, author, and lawyer based in Ramallah. She is the founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organization committed to supporting the Palestinian cause through non-violent protests. Arraf was also involved in the peace initiative Seeds of Peace, which aimed to foster dialogue between Palestinian and Jewish youth.
- Ismail al-Faruqi was a Palestinian-American philosopher and theologian recognized for his significant contributions to Islamic studies and the philosophy of religion. He established the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and was a pivotal figure in the movement for the Islamization of knowledge, advocating for the integration of Islamic principles with contemporary academic disciplines. Al-Faruqi's intellectual endeavors underscored the crucial role of cultural and religious understanding in addressing global challenges.
- Khaled Mohamed Khaled, professionally known as DJ Khaled, is an American hip hop artist and record producer of Palestinian heritage. He achieved widespread fame in the 2000s with the release of his debut album, Listennn... the Album, which debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
- Models Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid are of Palestinian descent through their father, Mohamed. Both sisters have publicly voiced their support for Palestine.
- Belal Muhammad, the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents. He frequently displays the Palestinian flag before and after his fights, openly expressing his support for a free Palestine.
Politics
Domestic Politics
Rashida Tlaib, a trailblazer, holds the distinction of being the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
In October 2016, a poll revealed that 60% of Arab-American voters, a group that includes Palestinian Americans, cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton, with 26% supporting Donald Trump. The survey indicated a continuing trend of Arab American voters moving away from the Republican Party, with 52% identifying as Democrats and only 26% as Republicans.
2016 Election
Arab Americans who supported Hillary Clinton cited issues such as addressing gun violence, healthcare, and Social Security as crucial for electing the president. Conversely, Trump supporters prioritized combating terrorism, stricter government spending, and more stringent immigration policies, alongside "Jobs and the economy." Both groups, however, found Clinton to be the stronger candidate for improving education and resolving racial tensions.
2020 Election
Despite Donald Trump securing 26% of the Arab American vote in 2016, his administration's pro-Israel policies, notably the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by relocating the American Embassy from Tel Aviv, significantly diminished his support among Arab Americans, particularly Palestinian Americans. Initiatives such as "Yalla Vote" were established to encourage Arab American voters to register and participate in the 2020 Election, aiming to increase their electoral impact. Exit polls from the election indicated that the majority of Arab and Muslim Americans favored Joe Biden, with a substantial 81% of Muslim voters supporting his candidacy.
2024 Election
Leading up to the 2024 election, Palestinian Americans and the broader Arab American electorate were identified as a key demographic bloc, especially in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Prominent Arab American groups in Michigan exerted pressure on Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, urging her to diverge from President Biden's steadfast pro-Israel stance and advocate for an end to the conflict in Gaza. Concurrently, groups with Michigan roots, such as the Uncommitted Movement, declared their non-support for Harris and advised voters against supporting Trump as well.
In response to these concerns, Harris made efforts to engage with Arab American community leaders, arranging a meeting where she conveyed her distress over the scale of suffering in Gaza and outlined her initiatives to de-escalate the conflict. Tim Walz, Harris's Vice Presidential pick and the governor of Minnesota, addressed Democratic Muslim groups separately, pledging an open channel for dialogue and a commitment to working towards a ceasefire. He also highlighted Trump's documented history of Islamophobic policies and anti-Palestinian rhetoric.
Post-election data revealed a notable shift in the Arab Muslim vote. In Dearborn, Michigan, a significant suburb with a large Arab population, Trump secured 42% of the vote, followed by Harris at 36% and Jill Stein at 18%. While demographic trends across Michigan showed a rightward shift from 2020, this change was particularly pronounced in Dearborn, which had overwhelmingly supported Biden by a 3:1 margin in the previous election. A similar electoral swing was observed in Hamtramck, Michigan, the first majority-Muslim city in the U.S. Given the estimated 200,000+ registered Muslim voters in Michigan and Trump's victory margin of 84,000 votes, the loss of Muslim and Arab votes significantly impacted Harris's chances of winning the state.
Exit polls indicated that between 50% and 63% of U.S. Muslim voters supported Harris. However, numerous Muslim and Arab voters who had backed Biden in 2020 expressed a desire to hold Democrats accountable and punish them for perceived complicity in the "genocide in Gaza," citing also their inability to secure a sustained ceasefire.
Foreign Politics
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Government
- Ammar Campa-Najjar, a candidate of Palestinian and Mexican heritage, ran as a Democrat for Congress in 2020 to represent California's 50th congressional district. Campa-Najjar had previously served as a campaign official in San Diego, contributing to President Barack Obama's reelection in 2012. His opponent in the 2020 election was Darrell Issa, also an Arab American with Lebanese, German, and Bohemian (Czech) ancestry.
Only a select few Americans of Palestinian ancestry have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Congress. Rashida Tlaib, born to Palestinian parents, is a Democratic congresswoman representing Michigan's 13th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She made history as one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress (alongside Somali-American Ilhan Omar of Minnesota) and is the first Palestinian-American woman to hold a seat in Congress. Justin Amash, a former Republican who later became an Independent, is also of Palestinian ancestry and served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan's 3rd congressional district.
At the state level, Athena Salman serves in the Arizona House of Representatives and is of Palestinian ancestry. Iman Jodeh, a Palestinian-American, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in the 2020 United States elections. Fady Qaddoura, born in the West Bank, was elected to the Indiana Senate in 2020.