Nov. 22, 1967 — The U.N. Meaning of ‘The’
The U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 242, enshrining the principle of Israel’s trading land captured in the Six-Day War for peace with its Arab neighbors. Drafted in English, the resolution calls for withdrawal from “territories occupied in the recent conflict,” omitting “the” and thus leaving up for negotiation exactly which lands Israel should give up. Arabs prefer the French translation, which uses the definitive article “des.”
Nov. 23, 1584 — Sultan, Safed and Synagogues
In the midst of strengthening the Muslim nature of his empire through such measures as requiring Jews and Christians to wear tall hats, Ottoman Sultan Murad III orders an investigation into the increase from three to 32 synagogues in Safed, where only seven mosques operate. The Jews, Murad writes, “have given much annoyance to the Muslims.” Within a few years, a third of the city’s synagogues close.
Nov. 24, 2006 — Rapist’s Escape Launches Manhunt
Benny Sela, convicted in 2000 of committing 14 sexual assaults in Tel Aviv, escapes on his way from prison in Beersheba to a court hearing in Tel Aviv. While handcuffed, he scales a 7½-foot fence and flees to northern Israel. He remains at large amid a national manhunt involving 2,000 officers until he is captured on a kibbutz in the western Galilee on Dec. 8. He has four years added to his original sentence of 35 years and nine months.
Nov. 25, 1938 — Kfar Ruppin Is Founded
Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin, named for land buyer Arthur Ruppin, is founded in the Beit Shean Valley as part of the “Tower and Stockade” movement, which uses prefabricated materials for rapid construction of defensible settlements. The approach takes advantage of an Ottoman-era law that bars the demolition of illegal construction once a roof is complete. Sitting on a bird migration route, Kfar Ruppin is home to an international bird-watching center.
Nov. 26, 2013 — Singer Arik Einstein Dies
An aortic aneurysm kills beloved singer/songwriter Arik Einstein at 74, leading thousands of fans to gather the next day in Rabin Square. A Tel Aviv native and star high school athlete, Einstein took up music during his military service. He blended folk and rock music across about 50 albums and was a driving force in the development of Israeli rock. The newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth in 2012 called him Israel’s all-time best singer.
Nov. 27, 2007 — Peace Framework Is Signed at Annapolis
A one-day conference involving representatives of 50 nations in Annapolis, Maryland, produces a joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. President George W. Bush about their peace goals and approach. The Palestinians and Israelis agree to engage in direct negotiations on final-status issues to achieve a two-state solution under U.S. auspices. The initiative goes nowhere.
Nov. 28, 1961 — Operation Yachin Begins for Moroccan Jews
After a two-year ban on Jewish emigration from Morocco, Israel launches Operation Yachin to help Moroccan Jews make aliyah via France or Italy. By the operation’s end in 1964, more than 97,000 members of the ancient Jewish community leave Morocco. Israel pays Morocco $500,000, plus $100 each for the first 50,000 emigrants and $250 each after that. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society contributes $50 million toward the effort.
Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.