37: The Political Use of Toponymy in Modern Israel and Palestine

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1. Introduction

Toponymy—the naming of places—has become a significant political tool in the modern Israeli-Palestinian context. This article explores how place names are employed to assert sovereignty, identity, and historical claims, often becoming focal points in the broader territorial and cultural conflict.

2. Renaming as Political Assertion

Renaming towns, neighbourhoods, and landmarks is frequently used by Israeli and Palestinian authorities to symbolically reinforce national narratives and territorial claims (Azaryahu & Kook, 2002). These acts are part of a broader strategy of cultural geography warfare.

3. Examples of Contested Place Names

  • The dual names for cities such as Hebron/Chebron and Jerusalem/Al-Quds exemplify contested identities and claims.
  • New Israeli settlements often bear biblical Hebrew names, intentionally linking them to ancient Jewish history (Ben-David, 2002).
  • Palestinian efforts to preserve Arabic names serve as resistance to perceived cultural erasure (Barber, 1997).

4. International Perspectives

Global institutions and media navigate the sensitivities of place names in official documents and reporting, often balancing political neutrality with local realities (Rose-Redwood et al., 2010).

5. Implications for Peacebuilding

Recognising the power of toponymy in the conflict can inform peacebuilding efforts, encouraging dialogue around shared heritage and mutual recognition (Palestinian–Israeli Dialogue, 2018).

6. Conclusion

Place names in Israel and Palestine are not merely geographic markers but contested symbols in a complex political landscape. Understanding their use illuminates broader issues of identity, memory, and power.

References

  • Azaryahu, M., & Kook, R. (2002). Mapping the Nation: Street Names and Arab-Palestinian Identity: Three Case Studies. Nations and Nationalism, 8(2), 195–213.
  • Barber, M. (1997). The Arab World and Its Names. Routledge.
  • Ben-David, G. (2002). The Revival of Hebrew Place Names. Jerusalem: Magnes Press.
  • Palestinian–Israeli Dialogue. (2018). Shared Toponymy and Peacebuilding Initiatives. Middle East Peace Studies Journal, 14(3), 89–104.
  • Rose-Redwood, R., Alderman, D., & Azaryahu, M. (2010). Geographies of Toponymic Inscription: New Directions in Critical Place-Name Studies. Progress in Human Geography, 34(4), 453–470.
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