Abbasid Control of Palestine and Its Transition in the 10th Century

In 939, the Abbasid Caliphate granted Muhammad ibn Tughj al-Ikhshid, the governor of Egypt and Palestine, autonomous control over his territories, leading to the establishment of the Ikshidid dynasty. This new dynasty was characterized by significant political and social upheaval, particularly marked by acts of persecution against Christians. Historical records indicate that the Ikshidid rule was marred by violence and intolerance, with notable incidents such as the torching and looting of the Church of the Resurrection in 937 and severe anti-Christian riots in Jerusalem in 966. The situation deteriorated further after the death of the Ikshidid regent in 968, resulting in widespread anarchy. This chaos ultimately paved the way for the Fatimid Caliphate's conquest of the Ikhshid state in 969, which many local inhabitants welcomed as a relief from the oppressive rule of the Ikshidids. The Ikshidid dynasty's legacy is a complex interplay of governance, religious persecution, and the eventual rise of new powers in the region.