Word: mabrouk
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...West Bank, however, jubilant Palestinians toasted one another with mabrouk, the Arabic word for "congratulations." To the foot soldiers in the intifadeh, the yearlong rebellion in the occupied territories that has won worldwide sympathy for Palestinian national aspirations, this was the first tangible victory. "If we succeeded in forcing America to sit with the P.L.O., we will force Israel to recognize the P.L.O.," crowed a 17-year-old Palestinian activist from Jerusalem...
...Soviet Union recognized Arafat's proclamation but did not immediately extend full diplomatic relations. In the occupied territories, the Israeli army clamped on curfews to prevent violent outbursts or jubilant displays. Though shopkeepers in Arab East Jerusalem passed out chocolates and local residents exchanged greetings of "Mabrouk" (congratulations), some West Bankers disparaged Arafat's half step toward Israel. The fundamentalist-led Islamic Resistance Movement distributed a leaflet that declared, "This independence movement is imaginary. It is a quick move by some of the Palestinian ranks to steal the fruits of the intifadeh's victory...