November–December 1981 Palestinian protests

{{see also|Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli occupation of the West Bank}}

After Israel's victory in the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank.{{cite web|date=19 July 2024|title=UN top court says Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjerjzxlpvdo|author-last=Berg|author-first=Raffi|access-date=26 December 2024|work=BBC News}} The occupation has been controversial, with Israel accused of violating international law, as well as committing human rights abuses and apartheid against Palestinians.{{cite web|date=1 February 2022|title=Israel's apartheid against Palestinians|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Amnesty International}} The Israeli government has also actively promoted the creation and growth of Israeli settlements in Palestine.{{cite web|date=29 December 2016|title=7 Things To Know About Israeli Settlements|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/12/29/507377617/seven-things-to-know-about-israeli-settlements|author-last=Myre|author-first=Greg|access-date=26 December 2024|work=NPR}} The Palestine Liberation Organization, an umbrella group representing the most prominent armed Palestinian nationalist paramilitaries in the second half of the 20th century, has also been accused of a number of human rights violations and of waging a terrorist campaign against Israelis.{{cite web|date=14 May 2018|title=What is the Palestinian Liberation Organization? How about Fatah and the Palestinian Authority?|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18080054/plo-palestinian-liberation-organization-israel-conflict|author-last=Beauchamp|author-first=Zack|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Vox}}

In early October 1981, newly appointed Israeli Minister of Defence Ariel Sharon received approval from the Israeli cabinet to re-organise the way that the Israeli Military Governorate administered the occupation of the West Bank. Sharon's re-organisation plan called for the parts of the Military Governorate that dealt with day-to-day affairs to be staffed by Israeli civilians appointed by the Israeli government instead of soldiers, with the military retaining ultimate control.{{cite web|date=5 October 1981|title=Cabinet Approves Sharon's Plan|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/cabinet-approves-sharons-plan|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The Israeli government described the plan as a move to liberalise the occupation policy and as part of a gradual shift towards Palestinian autonomy in the Palestinian Territories, with Cabinet Secretary Arye Naor describing the plan as a "confidence-building measure."{{cite web|date=6 October 1981|title=New plan for West Bank|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811006.2.51.10|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}}

Sharon's plan, however, was met with widespread scepticism in the West Bank, being widely regarded as a mere cosmetic change.{{cite web|date=11 November 1981|title=Peace talks in Cairo face unrest issues|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19811111.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Desert Sun}} Deputy Mayor of Nablus Zafer al-Masri stated that "It doesn't matter if the occupier is in uniform or a suit He is still on my land." Scepticism also stemmed from the Israeli government having made a number of attempts in the last few years to reduce the influence and power of local Palestinian city councils, after the 1976 West Bank local elections saw significant victories by younger, more nationalist and Palestine Liberation Organization-linked candidates.{{cite web|date=24 September 1981|title=Oppose Restructure of Military Gov't|url=https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=njjn19810924-01.1.4&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=New Jersey Jewish News}} Initial speculation that the re-organisation might allow West Bank leaders who had been exiled by Israel to return did not come to fruition.{{cite web|date=27 October 1981|title=Speculation Raised That Arab Political Deportees from the West Bank Will Be All Owed to Return|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/speculation-raised-that-arab-political-deportees-from-the-west-bank-will-be-all-owed-to-return|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=9 November 1981|title=West Bank Mayors Set Back|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/09/world/west-bank-mayors-set-back.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The New York Times}} As well, scepticism was fueled by the Israeli government's continued support of Israeli settlement in Palestine.{{cite web|date=13 October 1981|title=Haig and Allen Say West Bank Settlements Are Not Conducive to Successful Autonomy Talks|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/haig-and-allen-say-west-bank-settlements-are-not-conducive-to-successful-autonomy-talks|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} Also in early October 1981, the World Zionist Organization announced plans to build at least 12 new settlements in the West Bank, with WZO settlement director Matityahu Drobles calling for at least 120 000 additional settlers by 1985.{{cite web|date=5 October 1981|title=News Brief|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/the-world-zionist-organization-settlement-department-intends-to|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

In late-October 1981, the Israeli government announced that it would appoint Menahem Milson, an Arabic literature professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as the head of the re-organised West Bank administration. Milson had previously served as an advisor to the Military Governorate, where he had encouraged support of conservative, pro-Jordan factions within Palestinian politics that he believed to be more amenable to Israeli interests.{{cite web|date=22 October 1981|title=Hebrew University Professor to Head New Civilian Administration in the Occupied Territories|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/hebrew-university-professor-to-head-new-civilian-administration-in-the-occupied-territories|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} As an advisor, Milson had also taken part in creating the Palestinian Village Leagues, based on more traditional societal structures, as an alternate Palestinian power to the PLO.{{cite web|date=24 December 2023|title=The obsession that led to war with Hamas|url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-the-obsession-that-led-to-war-with-hamas-1001465970|author-last=Karny|author-first=Yoav|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Globes}}{{cite web|date=13 September 2016|title=The Story Of The Palestinian Village Leagues|url=https://www.memri.org/reports/story-palestinian-village-leagues|author-last=Carmon|author-first=Yigal|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Middle East Media Research Institute}}

Also complicating the situation were ongoing international peace negotiations over the Arab–Israeli conflict, including the ongoing Camp David Accords peace negotiations between Egypt and Israel and the Fahd Plan, presented by Saudi Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia in 1981.{{cite web|date=12 November 1981|title=Israelis, Egyptians Holding Talks Aimed at Achieving Breakthrough in Autonomy Impasse|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/israelis-egyptians-holding-talks-aimed-at-achieving-breakthrough-in-autonomy-impasse|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The negotiations led to the Palestinian autonomy talks between 1979 and 1982.{{cite web|date=23 October 1981|title=Autonomy Negotiations Discussing 15 Issues Itemized by Begin|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/autonomy-negotiations-discussing-15-issues-itemized-by-begin|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} In mid-October, former American President Jimmy Carter stated that Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin had told him that Israel was prepared to accept a Palestinian autonomy plan proposed by American diplomat Sol Linowitz as part of the talks, however, Israeli officials downplayed Carter's statement.{{cite web|date=16 October 1981|title=Begin offer unclear|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811016.2.58.12|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}} By mid-November 1981, Begin stated that "we have made all the concessions we can possibly make and still protect our national interests," warning that the Israeli government was only prepared to accept limited self-rule for the Palestinian Territories.{{cite web|date=11 November 1981|title=Israel 'at limit' of concessions|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811111.2.67.2|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}}

Following the formal appointment of Milson as West Bank administrator on 1 November, protests broke out across the West Bank opposing the re-organisation.{{cite web|date=3 November 1981|title=W. Bank change|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811103.2.74|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}}

The appointment and outbreak of protests coincided with a murder attempt on Israeli settler David Kopulsky, during which Kopulsky was injured after being stabbed in the back and subsequently shot two children when he attempted to shoot the assailant.{{cite web|date=2 November 1981|title=Kiryat Arba Settler Stabbed, Wounds 2 Children As He Fires at Assailant|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/kiryat-arba-settler-stabbed-wounds-2-children-as-he-fires-at-assailant|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} In response, the Israeli military placed a curfew on Hebron and demolished the houses of two Palestinians that it arrested for the stabbing.{{cite web|date=4 November 1981|title=Unrest Continues on West Bank 2 Houses Razed in Hebron|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/unrest-continues-on-west-bank-2-houses-razed-in-hebron|author-last=Sedan|author-first=Gil|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The demolitions, carried out under the Defence (Emergency) Regulations left over from British rule, further raised fears that the re-organisation was just a cosmetic change, with Mayor of Hebron Mustafa Natche saying that the Military Governate had not responded to his requests to end Israeli settlement in Hebron. The Israeli government stated that it "will continuue this policy of liberalisation," but only "directed at law-abiding citizens, not at murderers."{{cite web|date=5 November 1981|title=Arab houses blown up|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811105.2.60.7|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}}

The protests grew as they coincided with the 64th Balfour Day on 2 November, the annual mourning of the British government's Balfour Declaration in 1917, as Britain conquered the Palestinian region from the Ottoman Empire in World War I. That day, a number of strikes were held across the West Bank, and some demonstrations clashed with Israeli military forces, throwing stones and in one incident in Beit Sahour, a Molotov cocktail.{{cite web|date=3 November 1981|title=Demonstrations Mark Balfour Day on West Bank|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/demonstrations-mark-balfour-day-on-west-bank|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} That day, the Israeli government also approved three new settlements in the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|date=3 November 1981|title=3 More Settlements Approved for Gaza Strip|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/3-more-settlements-approved-for-gaza-strip|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The next day, the Israel Broadcasting Authority that it would stop referring to the West Bank as the "West Bank," using the term "Judea and Samaria" instead.{{cite web|date=4 November 1981|title=News Brief|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/the-managing-board-of-the-israel-broadcasting-authority|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

{{see also|Birzeit University closures}}

On 4 November, the Israeli military ordered Birzeit University, one of the most influential Palestinian universities and a frequent centre of nationalist protests, closed until January and ordered all students and staff to immediately evacuate the campus grounds.{{cite web|date=5 November 1981|title=Israel Closes West Bank University After Disturbances on Campus|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/israel-closes-west-bank-university-after-disturbances-on-campus|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The Israeli military also arrested the university's president, Gabi Baramki, along with the rest of the administration and the entirely of the student union council.{{cite web|date=28 December 1981|title=WHY ISRAEL CLOSED PALESTINIANS' UNIVERSITY|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/28/opinion/why-israel-closed-palestinians-university.html|author-last=Fasheh|author-first=Munir|access-date=25 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=11 November 1981|title=ARAB SCHOOL, SHUT BY ISRAEL, SEEKS TO REOPEN|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/11/world/arab-school-shut-by-israel-seeks-to-reopen.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The New York Times}} On 5 December, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that the closure order was legal after the university administration appealed.{{cite web|date=6 November 1981|title=Supreme Court Upholds Closure of West Bank University|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/supreme-court-upholds-closure-of-west-bank-university|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

The forced closure of the university inflamed the protests.{{cite web|date=10 November 1981|title=Youths on West Bank Protest Closing of an Arab University|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/10/world/youths-on-west-bank-protest-closing-of-an-arab-university.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The New York Times}} On 8 November, the Israeli military dispersed three separate protests in Ramallah protesting against the forced closure of the university, summoning Mayor of Ramallah Karim Khalaf for questioning after he allowed one of the demonstrations to take place in the Ramallah city hall.{{cite web|date=9 November 1981|title=More Demonstrations Stopped in Ramallah Area; Students Fined|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/more-demonstrations-stopped-in-ramallah-area-students-fined|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} Also on 8 November, three university students in Nablus were fined by the Israeli authorities on charges of having incited demonstrations.

The closure of Birzeit University also sparked controversy within Israel, with a group of activists and academics forming the Solidarity Committee for Birzeit University.{{cite web|date=2 November 2020|title=Remembering Reuven Kaminer, the godfather of Israel's radical left|url=https://www.972mag.com/reuven-kaminer-israel-radical-left/|author-last=Beinin|author-first=Joel|access-date=9 December 2024|work=+972 Magazine}} On 7 November, a group of 100 Israeli students and professors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University snuck past the Israeli military cordon surrounding the university to hold a sit-down protest inside the campus calling for its re-opening.{{cite web|date=1 April 1988|title=A Report On The Status Of Academic Freedom And Human Rights At Birzeit University In The Twentieth Year Of The Israeli Military Occupation|url=https://fada.birzeit.edu/bitstream/20.500.11889/8206/1/The%20twentieth%20year%20-%20a%20report%20on%20the%20status%20of%20academic%20freedom%20and%20human%20rights%20at%20Birzeit%20University%20in%20the%20twentieth%20year%20of%20the%20Israeli%20military%20occupation%20%2c%20academic%20year%201986-87.pdf|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Birzeit University}} On 29 November, 49 Israelis were arrested after sneaking into the West Bank city of Ramallah to take part in a joint Israeli-Palestinian protest organised by the committee.{{cite web|date=30 November 1981|title=200 People Rally Against Closing of West Bank University: 49 Arrested|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/200-people-rally-against-closing-of-west-bank-university-49-arrested|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The Israeli military had attempted to prevent the protest from being held by sealing off the city and by preventing non-settler Jews from travelling through the surrounding area. The Israeli military made the arrests after forcibly dispersing the protest using tear gas.{{cite web|date=29 November 1981|title=50 JEWISH PROTESTERS ARE SEIZED IN WEST BANK|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/29/world/50-jewish-protesters-are-seized-in-west-bank.html|author-last=Shipler|author-first=David K.|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}

On 10 November, the Israeli military carried out a wave of mass arrests across the West Bank in an attempt to suppress the protests. As part of the wave, the military ordered Jerusalem-based and PLO-linked newspaper Al Fajr closed for 10 days and arrested .{{cite web|date=11 November 1981|title=W. Bank arrests|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811111.2.67.3|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}} The military also surrounded the town of Beit Sahour and Bethlehem University, sealing them off and threatening to order the university closed if its administration did not prevent its student from taking part in demonstrations.{{cite news|date=11 November 1981|title=Crackdown on West Bank Activists Underscores Israeli Warning|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/11/12/crackdown-on-west-bank-activists-underscores-israeli-warning/f7a1b183-30f3-49ff-b595-1943573925bf/|author-last=Claiborne|author-first=William|access-date=25 December 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}}{{cite web|date=15 November 1981|title=Curfew in West Bank town|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/15/Curfew-in-West-Bank-town/6565374648400/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=UPI}} The military also welded shut the doors of several shops had been closed in a commercial strike as part of the protests.{{cite web|date=12 November 1981|title=News Brief|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/a-two-day-strike-in-east-jerusalem-by-local|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

On 11 November, demonstrations were held in six different cities across the West Bank, with stones being thrown at Israeli military cars in some cities and one gasoline firebomb being thrown in Dura.{{cite news|date=12 November 1981|title=Israeli Soldiers Shoot Youth in the West Bank|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/11/13/israeli-soldiers-shoot-youth-in-the-west-bank/4dee3056-7a5f-46df-aedd-bfd1fe442341/|author-last=Claiborne|author-first=William|access-date=26 December 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}} One 15-year-old Palestinian, Mohammed Abdel Jarrar, was shot and injured by Israeli soldiers at a demonstration outside a girls' school in Jenin. The Israeli military stated that Jarrar had incited the demonstration of the school's pupils and had run away holding a knife when Israeli soldiers fired warning shots to disperse the demonstration. That day, Israeli forces also arrested Palestinian journalist Akram Haniyah.{{cite journal|date=1 April 1982|title=Chronology November 1, 1981-January 15, 1982|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4326391|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|journal=The Middle East Journal|volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=217–236 |jstor=4326391 }}

Over the weekend of 14–15 November, a group of An-Najah National University students began a sit-down protest and hunger strike.{{cite web|date=17 November 1981|title=Violent protest|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811117.2.56.10|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}}

On 16 November, the Israeli military demolished five houses in the West Bank in retaliation for firebombs that had been thrown at Israeli military vehicles during the protests.{{cite news|date=16 November 1981|title=Reprisals on West Bank|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/national/1981/11/17/reprisals-on-west-bank/eef812b3-a553-472a-97ec-46a81299d6d2/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}} The military stated that three of the houses in Beit Sahour belonged to families who had teenage sons who had thrown Molotov cocktails. The other two houses were in Al Jib and in Ramallah, with the Israeli military not giving a specific reason for the demolitions.{{cite web|date=16 November 1981|title=Israelis dynamite homes in West Bank village.|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/16/Israelis-dynamite-homes-in-West-Bank-village/7078374734800/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=UPI}}

On 17 November, Ramallah Region Village Association head Yusuf Khatib and his son were ambushed by a group of Palestinian militants, with Khatib being severely wounded by gunfire and his son being immediately killed. The Ramallah Region Village Association was one of the Palestinian Village Leagues that collaborated with the Israeli authorities.{{cite web|date=19 November 1981|title=W. Bank chief hurt in attack|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811119.2.65.10|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=The Press}} Khatib would die of his injuries at the Hadassah Medical Center on 23 November.{{cite web|date=24 November 1981|title=Arab Moderate Shot by Terrorists Dies of His Wounds|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/arab-moderate-shot-by-terrorists-dies-of-his-wounds|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} The Palestinian Liberation Organisation claimed responsibility for the assassination.{{cite web|date=19 November 1981|title=Moderate Arab West Bank Leaders Condemn Terrorist Ambush Slaying|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/moderate-arab-west-bank-leaders-condemn-terrorist-ambush-slaying|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

Following the assassination, the Military Governorate announced that it was considered plans to distribute weapons to the Palestinian Village Leagues.{{cite web|date=1 December 1981|title=Defense Ministry Agrees to Have West Bank Moderates Arm Themselves|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/defense-ministry-agrees-to-have-west-bank-moderates-arm-themselves|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

{{Infobox civil conflict

| title = December 1981 Gaza general strike

| date = {{start date|1981|12|02|df=y}} – {{end date|1981|12|16|df=y}}

| partof =

| image =

| caption =

| place = Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestinian Territories

| methods = Strike action, general strike, protest, stone throwing

| fatalities = 1 Palestinian youth

| injuries = 3+ Palestinians
1+ Israeli soldiers

| arrests = 4000 Palestinians

| side1 = Gazans

| side2 = Israel Defense Forces
Israeli Military Governorate

| leadfigures1 = Rashad al-Shawwa

| leadfigures2 = Yosef Luntz

| goals =

| result =

}}

In late-November 1981, the Israeli government announced that it intended to impose a civilian occupation administration on the Gaza Strip in the same way as on the West Bank, to be led by General Yosef Luntz, the military administrator of the Gaza Strip occupation.{{cite web|date=27 November 1981|title=Israel to Introduce Civilian Administration in Gaza Strip|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/israel-to-introduce-civilian-administration-in-gaza-strip|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

In response, a general strike was launched in Gaza City on 2 December 1981. In calling the strike, Gaza City mayor Rashad al-Shawwa described the Israeli move as "a continuation of Israeli occupation under the disguise of a civil administration," saying that "the Israeli grip is getting stronger and stronger on the Gaza Strip and we feel that the Israeli authorities are blacking out any news about Gaza. We want to do something to make the world see and understand that we are not happy, that we are against occupation."{{cite web|date=2 December 1981|title=Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza City in the occupied Gaza...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/12/02/Palestinian-inhabitants-of-Gaza-City-in-the-occupied-Gaza/5821376117200/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=UPI}} The general strike involved closure of all schools, shops, and factories within Gaza, and soon spread to other parts of the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|date=8 December 1981|title=ISRAELIS KILL GAZA YOUTH IN MELEE|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/08/world/israelis-kill-gaza-youth-in-melee.html|author-last=Shipler|author-first=David K.|access-date=25 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}

Although originally planned to last only two days, by 5 December, local leaders in Gaza decided to extend the strike.{{cite web|date=6 December 1981|title=Around the World; Gaza City Begins Strike Over Tax on Doctors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/06/world/around-the-world-gaza-city-begins-strike-over-tax-on-doctors.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The New York Times}} In response, the Israeli occupation authority moved to dissuade shopkeepers from joining the strike by welding shut the doors to their shops and destroying the locks, forbidding shopkeepers whose doors had been welded from reopening for a 50-day period with the threat of legal punishment.{{cite news|date=8 December 1981|title=General Strike in Gaza|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/12/08/general-strike-in-gaza/9b018380-5dbc-4e8f-a5aa-46d613eee3d5/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}}

On 7 December, a youth protest in Rafah in support of the strike developed into a clash with a patrol of Israeli soldiers sent to disperse the protest. After the demonstrations began throwing stones at the soldiers, the soldiers opened fire, killing one protestor and injuring three others.{{cite web|date=8 December 1981|title=Israelis shoot dead Arab|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19811208-1.2.10|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=The Straits Times}} The killed protestor was 16-year-old Mahmud Abu Nahla. An additional 400 Rafah youth were arrested by Israeli forces.{{cite web|date=7 December 1981|title=Arab teenager killed by Israeli soldiers in protest|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/12/07/Arab-teenager-killed-by-Israeli-soldiers-in-protest/7866376549200/|author-last=Heller|author-first=Jeffrey|access-date=25 December 2024|work=UPI}} One Israeli soldier was injured.{{cite web|date=11 December 1981|title=Violent Gaza Demonstrations End In Death, More Protests|url=https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/?a=d&d=detroitjn19811211-01.1.1&e=01-12-1981-20-12-1981--en-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI-gaza-------------1|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=The Jewish News}}

On 8 December, the Gaza City council announced that it would hold a press conference for foreign reporters to explain the decision to go on strike. In response, the Israeli military announced that it would be banning reporters from entering the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|date=9 December 1981|title=Trouble in the Gaza Strip|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/trouble-in-the-gaza-strip|author-last=Orgel|author-first=Hugh|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} That day, Israeli forces claimed to have welded shut the doors to 170 shops in Gaza and to have the confiscated the identity cards of the shopkeepers.{{cite web|date=9 December 1981|title=Israelis crack down on Gaza dissent|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/12/09/Israelis-crack-down-on-Gaza-dissent/4218376722000/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=UPI}} In the West Bank that day, a 24-hour general strike was held in the city of Nablus in solidarity with the Gaza general strike.{{cite web|date=9 December 1981|title=Gaza bouclée par l'armée israélienne|url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=JDJ19811209-01.2.54.9|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Journal du Jura}} A sit-down protest in support of the strike was also held in front of the Bethlehem city hall. On 9 December, Israeli forces raided the Ramallah Women's Training Centre, run by UNRWA, after students of the Centre held a demonstration in support of the Gaza strike, arresting 200 of the students.{{cite news|date=9 December 1981|title=Israeli Forces Raid Girls' School, Punish Merchants in Occupied Areas|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/12/10/israeli-forces-raid-girls-school-punish-merchants-in-occupied-areas/421405bf-3f2b-444e-ab75-f12e9faa60af/|author-last=Claiborne|author-first=William|access-date=25 December 2024|newspaper=Washington Post}}

The funeral for Mahmud Abu Nahla was held on the morning 9 December, with Israeli authorities only allowing the immediate family to take part and imposing a curfew on Rafah.{{cite web|date=10 December 1981|title=Unrest Spreading in Gaza, West Bank|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/unrest-spreading-in-gaza-west-bank|author-last=Sedan|author-first=Gil|access-date=6 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

According to the Jordan News Agency, by 11 December, at least 4000 Palestinians had been arrested by Israeli forces without being charged since the beginning of the strike, with around 2500 of those having been formally charged and at least 1000 still in detention without being charged.{{cite web|date=11 December 1981|title=L'armée israélienne tente de briser le movement|url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=IMP19811211-01.2.4|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=L'Impartial}} According to the New Zealand Press Association, by 14 December, around 1000 shopkeepers in the Gaza Strip had had their identity cards confiscated and were facing prosecution in front of an Israeli military tribunal for their participation in the strike.{{cite web|date=14 December 1981|title=Army breaks Gaza strike|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811214.2.57.4|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The Press}}

On 16 December, Gaza City mayor al-Shawwa declared an end to the general strike.{{cite web|date=18 December 1981|title=News Brief|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/the-two-week-general-strike-in-the-gaza-strip|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

Mayor of Bethlehem Elias Freij stated that the Israeli government had "promised the Army wouldn't go into schools and would end roadblocks and collective punishment. What is this? It is worse than ever now." Mayor of Beit Sahour Hanna Al-Atrash accused the Israeli government of "collective punishment."{{cite web|date=17 November 1981|title=Four West Bank Houses Demolished|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/four-west-bank-houses-demolished|author-last=Sedan|author-first=Gil|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

Following the outbreak of the protests, Israeli Minister of Defence Ariel Sharon stated that "the new policy does not mean a more lenient approach, but the opposite. We shall treat the peaceful population more gently but the terrorists will be treated more harshly." Sharon also stated that Palestinian youth who threw stones at Israeli soldiers would be considered terrorists under the new policy.{{cite web|date=10 November 1981|title=Begin Warns Israel Has Reached Limit of Its Concessions; Sharon Complains of 'confused' Policy of U.|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/begin-warns-israel-has-reached-limit-of-its-concessions-sharon-complains-of-confused-policy-of-u|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

Labour Alignment MK Victor Shem-Tov criticised the government's crackdown, saying that "collective punishment will cause a further deterioration of the situation in the administrated areas. It will tarnish Israel’s image and not improve its security," while Labour Alignment MK Yossi Sarid accused the government of "brutality."{{cite web|date=19 November 1981|title=Labor MKs Rap Government for 'over-reaction' to West Bank Incidents|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/labor-mks-rap-government-for-over-reaction-to-west-bank-incidents|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} On 18 November, Hadash MK Charlie Biton was thrown out of the Knesset after comparing Sharon to Adolf Hitler for Sharon's response to the protests.

Major General Danny Matt resigned as Coordinator of Government Activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, saying that the new policy rendered his role redundant.{{cite web|date=19 November 1981|title=Israel uses tear gas in West Bank; top official quits|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/19/Israel-uses-tear-gas-in-West-Bank-top-official-quits/6881374994000/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=25 December 2024|work=UPI}}

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Israeli responses to the protests and the Gazan general strike "harm the trust and cast doubts" on Israeli intentions in peace negotiations.{{cite web|date=14 December 1981|title=Autonomy Talks Resume|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/autonomy-talks-resume-2|author-last=Sedan|author-first=Gil|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People chair Massamba Sarré stated that "the situation in the occupied territories remains extremely tense and explosive, and the acts which have been committed there in violation of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions will continue to exacerbate tensions in the region and to endanger international peace and security."{{cite web|date=13 November 1981|title=Letter dated 13 November 1981 from the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People addressed to the Secretary-General.|url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/27567|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=United Nations Digital Library}}

Following the Sabra and Shatila massacre in September 1982, Menahem Milson resigned as West Bank administrator in protest over the Israeli government's initial refusal to launch an inquiry into the massacre.{{cite web|date=23 September 1982|title=Knesset, by Vote of 48-42, Rejects Motion by Labor to Set Up a Commission of Inquiry into Massacre|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/knesset-by-vote-of-48-42-rejects-motion-by-labor-to-set-up-a-commission-of-inquiry-into-massacre-o|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=26 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

• List of strikes in Palestine
• Timeline of strikes in 1981
• Golan Heights Law

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:November-December 1981 Palestinian protests}}

Category:1981 labor disputes and strikes

Category:1981 protests

Category:1981 in Israel

Category:General strikes in Asia

Category:Protests in Palestine

Category:Ariel Sharon

Category:Birzeit University