Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies 17.1 (2018): 1–7 Edinburgh University Press DOI: 10.3366/hlps.2018.0175 © Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies www.euppublishing.com/hlps INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL ISSUE ON SETTLER-COLONIALISM AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS IN AL-QUDS/JERUSALEM Professor Shukri Abed Department of Philosophy Al-Quds University, Al-Quds/Jerusalem, Palestine Address: 5308 Taney Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304, USA shukriabed@gmail.com and Dr Maha Samman Assistant Professor Department of Architecture Al-Quds University Al-Quds/Jerusalem, Palestine Address: P.O. Box 20421 East Jerusalem, 91203 mahawad99@yahoo.com From the dawn of history Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has been shaped by withstanding various conquests and regimes, all of whom exerted their influence on the city and society of Jerusalem. Yet, throughout its tumultuous lifespan, Jerusalem has maintained its ability to captivate — and perhaps even hold captive — those who have tried to harness its spiritual appeal under their power. In contrast, the Palestinian deep and, indeed spiritual, connection with Jerusalem has been cultivated through a continuous and rich historical experience. The collective identity of the Palestinians has been shaped through living in and cultivating their land, building their cities and towns, constructing their educational system. Since the 1967 War until today, Israel has occupied East Jerusalem, whereas West Jerusalem has been occupied since 1948. From that time on, Palestinians have been struggling to break free from this occupation, considered by many scholars as an advanced form of settler colonialism.