[Restorer]

The Turks, who took over about 700 years ago and ruled the land up until about World War 1, had control.

The writer is a little vague on his history. 700 years ago the Turks were still riding around in Central Asia.

Of course, what he meant to say was that a succession of Muslim states had control of the area, starting about 700 years ago and ending with the Turks.

He also left out the 200 years of Christian rule of parts of Palestine during the Crusades.

[SJackson]

He also left out the 200 years of Christian rule of parts of Palestine during the Crusades.

Shhh, don't mix Christians up in this, people might think the Saracens (historically inaccurate, perhaps, but a good name for the rabid Muslims) are angry at them too. :>)

[rmlew]

Sorry, you have no knowledge of Turkic History.
At any rate, the Seljuk Turks (the precursors to the Ottoman Turks) concquered the middle East in the 11th century.
For some general information on Turkic peoples, check out http://www.geocities.com/kaganate/