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Short answer
There is no cultural connection between the Palestinians and the ancient Canaanites.
It is nothing more than a myth serving as a political tool that was created as a justification to challenge the Jewish earlier historical claims to the land that predates both Islam and the Palestinian identity.
As a matter of fact, the Canaanites ceased to exist as a distinct people group long before the emergence of Palestinians. The majority of Palestinians descend from Arab populations who migrated to the region over centuries, particularly during the Islamic conquests in the 7th century CE.
Long answer
The Palestinian claim of direct descent from the ancient Canaanites is a myth. The claim that Palestinians are direct descendants of the Canaanites is primarily a political tool used to challenge Jewish historical claims to the land. It lacks significant historical or genealogical support. The concept of a distinct “Palestinian” identity emerged in the 20th century, largely in response to the establishment of the British Mandate for Palestine and the Zionist movement. Prior to WWI, the Arab population of Palestine identified more with their Ottoman nationality or local communities rather than a unified Palestinian identity.
The sources collectively suggest that while Palestinians may have some genetic links to ancient Levantine populations, including Canaanites, which is true for many groups in the region, they are not direct or exclusive descendants of the Canaanites. The Canaanites ceased to exist as a distinct people group long before the emergence of Palestinians. By the time of the Babylonian conquest, there were no more Canaanites as they had been assimilated into other populations.
The studies found that Palestinians are genetically close to Jews and other Middle Eastern populations, with both groups having mixed with various ancient peoples in the region. The DNA analysis showing Canaanite ancestry in Palestinians likely comes through their Samaritan and Jewish ancestors, who share a similar proportion of Canaanite DNA.
The majority of Palestinians are descendants of Arab populations who migrated to the region over centuries, particularly during the Islamic conquests in the 7th century CE. Most Palestinian families identify with Arab tribes, with specific lineages tracing back to regions like the Hejaz, Iraq, and Yemen. Some families have Kurdish or Egyptian origins, and there are even traditions of Jewish ancestry in certain areas.
