Lexicon

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The Israeli state body that manages land and property determined under the Israeli Absentees’ Property Law—1950 to belong to those—generally Palestinians—declared “absentees”. While this office is supposed to hold such properties for guardianship, until a political solution for the Palestinian refugees is reached, in actuality, it frequently transfers these properties to Jews. See How Israel Applies the Absentees’ Property Law to Confiscate Palestinian Property in Jerusalem.

A traditional folk dance originating from the Levantine region, encompassing countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and parts of Iraq.  

Meaning “stamping of the feet” in Arabic, the dabke features rhythmic stomping and synchronized movements performed in a line or circle, with dancers holding hands or shoulders. It is often led by a leader who improvises steps. 

This dance is commonly performed at weddings, festivals, and other celebrations, symbolizing community, heritage, resilience, and resistance. 

The English name for one of the seven open gates in the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. See also Bab al-Amud. 

See The Gates of the Old City for more detailed information.

See Oslo I Agreement.

A secular, Marxist-Leninist political and military organization, founded by Nayef Hawatmeh in 1969, that split off from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The third largest faction in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)’s political ideology falls between the more moderate Fatah and the more hardline PFLP. Originally, the DFLP called for a “people’s democratic Palestine” that included both Arabs and Jews living equally and without oppression—essentially, a one-state model. But it later joined the moderate factions of the PLO calling for a two-state solution within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. The DFLP participated in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections with other leftist factions under the Alternative (Badeel) list, winning 2.8 percent of the vote, or two seats. 

Maoist-influenced, the DFLP supports a revolutionary approach to the Palestinian struggle. Its armed wing, the National Resistance Brigades or the Martyr Omar al-Qassem Forces, was most active during the 1970s. It carried out its most significant attack on May 15, 1974, in the Israeli settlement of Ma’alot, not far from the Lebanese border. DFLP fighters seized a school and held over 100 Israelis hostage. In the end, 27 were killed. Unlike other Palestinian leaders, Hawatmeh opposed attacks outside historic Palestine. While the DFLP’s resistance activities decreased following the First Intifada—leading to its removal from a U.S. list of terrorist organizations in 1999—it was active during the Second Intifada and has been fighting alongside Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. Its top leadership, including Hawatmeh, is based in Damascus, although it maintains a small operational presence within the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

Islamic phrases, expressions, or prayers that are repeatedly recited in remembrance of God in a form of worship. Translating to “remembrance” or “reminder,” dhikr usually includes supplication from the Quran or from the hadiths. Prayer beads are often used in the process of dhikr. 

See Unity Intifada. Also called Unity Uprising.

See Unity Intifada.

Goblet-shaped hand drum widely played throughout the Middle East and especially prominent in Palestinian music. Traditionally made from clay and fitted with animal skin—though now often built from metal or modern materials, with a synthetic head—the dirbaki is known for two primary tones: the deep “dum” at the center and the sharp “tak” at the edge. Its crisp, vibrant sound makes it a central instrument in folk ensembles, dabke performances, and classical Arab music. In Palestine, the dirbaki is one of the most recognizable percussion instruments, heard at weddings, festivals, olive harvest celebrations, and street performances, where its rhythms form a core part of Palestinian cultural identity. 

A long robe or garment traditionally worn by men in Arabia and the Middle East. While similar to a thobe or jellabiyya, a dishdasha’s sleeves are wide, cuffless, and not quite full length. By contrast, contemporary thobe sleeves are narrow with cuffs that are sometimes adorned with embroidery. The term dishdasha is most commonly used in the Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman. People from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait use thobe, and North Africans say jellabiyya or galabiyya. However, these terms are also used interchangeably by some communities; for example, Palestinians typically use thobe to refer to the traditional garment.

Military coordination offices established in the West Bank and Gaza in 1994 that manage the movement of Palestinians, both within the occupied West Bank and into Israel. Palestinians holding Palestinian Authority IDs must apply for permits from the Israeli military to enter Israel or move between Areas A, B, and C of the West Bank. DCOs were established in each district of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military office on one side of each DCO compound and the Palestinian security forces on the other. Final approval on all permit decisions lies with the Israel authorities, the Palestinian side is effectively more of an administrative middleman that merely coordinates between the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian residents, on the one hand, and Israeli authorities, on the other. There are eight DCOs (also called DCLs): Abu Dis, al-Ram, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho.

The English name for one of the seven open gates in the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. See also Bab Haret al-Maghariba. 

See The Gates of the Old City for more detailed information and other names for this gate. 

A major Israeli settlement plan that would block Palestinian development east of Jerusalem and close off the last remaining corridor between the city and West Bank Palestinian communities. Since the 1990s, the Israeli government has set out to develop this 12 sq km zone of unsettled lands originally belonging to Palestinian villages into a large industrial and commercial area, including the Israeli settlement Mevasseret Adumim, an airport, hotels, tourist attractions, and major roads. The plan, pursued by different Israeli administrations, has only been partially approved and completed due to international pressure. Mainly, an Israeli district police station was established in 2008.

The plan functions as part of the vision for “Greater Jerusalem,” which creates demographic, territorial, and transportational contiguity between Jewish settlements inside and outside the Israeli municipal boundary, while separating and suffocating Palestinian localities. The plan would solidify Israeli control over the corridor, linking the Ma‘ale Adumim settlement bloc to Israeli Jerusalem and the coastal city of Tel Aviv, while surrounding and isolating Palestinian villages in the eastern suburbs to whom the lands originally belong: a-Za‘ayim, al-‘Izariyya, Abu Dis, ‘Arab al-Jahalin, and ‘Anata. With Ma‘ale Adumim to their east and the Separation Wall to their west, these Palestinian localities are thus unable to grow. In addition, completion of the E1 plan would essentially break the occupied West Bank into two parts by blocking access between its southern and northern parts, as Jerusalem is mostly inaccessible to Palestinians with Palestinian Authority (PA) identity cards.

Refers to the region encompassing the Old City of Jerusalem and its eastern suburbs and hinterlands. The term was used to distinguish between this part of the city, which Israel occupied in June of 1967, and the western part, which Israel occupied and emptied of its Palestinian inhabitants in 1948. Shortly after occupation, Israel unilaterally expanded the borders of East Jerusalem, tripling it in size and adding 28 Palestinian villages, and then unilaterally extended its law, jurisdiction, and administration to the newly expanded area. International law and most countries of the world do not recognize this unilateral act as legal and consider that East Jerusalem remains under military occupation. Palestinians also consider that Israel is not the rightful sovereign over East Jerusalem and consider it as the capital for a future Palestinian state. The reality today, however, is that both West and East Jerusalem are controlled by the Israeli government and are mostly under the jurisdiction of the Israeli Jerusalem municipality. Since 1967, the government has also invested considerable effort and resources into changing the demographic makeup of East Jerusalem by funding and facilitating Jewish settlement there.

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A traditional Armenian bulgur salad, similar to tabbouleh but with a different consistency and typically cooked. It is made by soaking or lightly cooking fine bulgur wheat in a rich tomato base, then mixing it with olive oil, onions, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and sometimes bell peppers or green onions. The result is a soft, tangy, and slightly spicy dish that can be served warm or cold. It differs from tabbouleh, which emphasizes fresh green herbs; eetch has a deeper flavor and a thicker texture. It is often eaten as part of a mezze table or as a light meal on its own. Culturally, eetch holds special significance in Armenian and diasporic communities, including among Palestinian-Armenian families. 

One of two major Islamic holidays, the other being Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha translates to the “festival of sacrifice.” This celebration falls during the Islamic lunar month of Dhu al-Hijja, in which the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca occurs. The festival lasts for about three to four days. Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of the prophet Abraham when facing the trial of sacrificing his son Ishmael in obedience to God’s command. However, God honored both Abraham and Ishmael and, thus, before the sacrifice could be carried out, provided a ram to be sacrificed instead.

The first day of this holiday begins with a special early morning prayer service held in large congregations, often in open fields or large mosques. In honor of Abraham, Muslims who can afford to do so will sacrifice an animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The meat from the sacrifice is then distributed among family, friends, and those in need. Eid al-Adha is also a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and gift-giving.

An Islamic festival of celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which requires daily fasting. Eid al-Fitr translates to “the festival of breaking fast.” This celebration is one of two official holidays celebrated within the Islamic faith and falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar. In some Muslim countries, Eid al-Fitr is also a public holiday. In the early hours of the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims flock to dedicated outdoor areas for a specific Eid prayer, which must be performed in congregation and led by an imam. It is forbidden to fast on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. During this religious holiday, young Muslims are often gifted money from various family members. Sweets are also made and distributed specifically for this holiday, typically ma‘moul and ka‘ek, two buttery pastries made with semolina flour, walnuts, and dates.

A settler association, also known as Ir David Foundation (its name in Hebrew is El Ir David, or To the City of David) or just Elad, established in 1986 to support archaeological sites and settlements around Jerusalem’s holy sites, including the City of David site in the Palestinian neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh, Silwan. Its stated mission is to “house Jewish families in the City of David” and “strengthen the Jewish connection to Jerusalem.” It is believed to be one of the strongest and wealthiest organizations in Israel. Its funders include the United Israel Appeal (Keren Hayesod), the Jewish Agency, and some chapters of Friends of the IDF. Elad began by appropriating Palestinian properties in Jerusalem with the support of Israeli official entities, expelling their Palestinian residents, and transferring the properties to Jewish Israeli settlers. More recently, it was granted control by the Israeli government of several historical and archaeological sites, pursuing an ideological narrative about ancient Jewish presence in these sensitive locations. Although its activities began in Silwan, it has expanded its efforts to many other Palestinian neighborhoods, including Jabal Mukabbir, al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, and al-Suwana.