Jerusalem, despite being proclaimed a goal of Muslim pilgrimage, loses some of its earlier importance when the caliphate is moved by the new 'Abbasid dynasty from Damascus to Baghdad in 762.

Like most of the Umayyads, their successors, the 'Abbasids, pursue a liberal policy toward Christians and Jews.

Along with Syria, Palestine becomes subject to 'Abbasid authority, based in Baghdad, and, like Syria, it does not readily submit to its new masters.

Unlike the Umayyads, who leaned on the Yemeni (South Arabian) tribes, the Abbasids, in Syria, favor and indeed use the Qays (North Arabian) tribes.

Enmity between the two groups is, therefore, intensified and becomes an important political factor in Palestine.