A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    XYZ 

KABALA (h) or Kabbala (h) - (Kabalism) (Heb., qabbala, "receiving, tradition"). A system of Jewish theosophy and mysticism.

KACH/KAHANE CHAI - Two ultra right-wing organizations that have called for the expulsion of all Arabs from Israel. Kach was formed by the late Meir Kahane; Kahane Chai ("Kahane Lives") was formed after Kahane's 1990 assassination. On the grounds that the Kach party was racist, the Israeli government banned its members from serving in the Knesset. In March, 1994, the government outlawed both Kach and Kahane Chai altogether after Baruch Goldstein murdered 29 Muslims praying at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

KAFFIYEH - An Arab headdress consisting of a square piece of cloth folded into a triangle and fastened over the crown by an agal.

KAHAN COMMISSION - In response to public outrage and grief over killings in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon, the Israeli government formed an inquiry board that found Israel was indirectly responsible for not anticipating the possibility that a Lebanese Christian militia might take revenge against Palestinians in the camps.

KEREN HAYESOD - (Palestine Foundation Fund). The financial arm of the World Zionist Organization founded in 1920.

KIBBUTZ - (pl. kibbutzim). Communal settlement in modern Israel. Originally, kibbutzim had an agricultural they focused, on agriculture, but many of them they are now are engaged in a variety of activities including tourism, high-tech ventures, and other industries. Kibbutzim is the Hebrew plural for kibbutz.

KIRYAT ARBA - Israeli community near the town of Hebron.

KLITA - Absorption; social and economic integration of immigrants.

KNESSET - The parliament of the State of Israel. Its name and the number of its members are based on the "Knesset Hagdola" of the early Second Temple period. It is composed of 120 representatives of different political parties, elected for a four-year term.  All Israeli citizens - men, women, Christians, Muslims, and Jews - can vote and are represented in the Knesset. 

KORAN - The book (from the Arabic qaraa,"to read") containing the divine revelations given to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel that was compiled by his followers after his death. Since God is believed to be the author, the Koran is considered infallible. The Sharia (Arabic for "the way") is the body of laws that regulate Muslim life, some of which appear explicitly in the Koran. These rules are believed to be an expression of God's will, but they are also subject to the interpretation of Islamic scholars.

KOREI, AHMED (Abu Alaa) (1937- ) - Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council since the creation of the council in 1996.  Korei was one of three PLO leaders who negotiated the Oslo Accords in 1993, and was involved in Camp David peace talks in July 2000.  In September 2003, after Abu Mazen resigned, Arafat appointed Korei as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.  He has since been reappointed as Prime Minister by Arafat's successor, Abu Mazen in January 2005. 

KOSHER - (kasher). "Proper" or "ritually correct"; kashrut refers to ritually correct Jewish dietary practices. Traditional Jewish dietary laws are based on biblical legislation. Only land animals that chew the cud and have split hooves (sheep, beef; not pigs, camels) are permitted and must be slaughtered in a special way. Further, meat products may not be eaten with milk products or immediately thereafter. Of sea creatures, only those (fish) having fins and scales are permitted. Fowl is considered a meat food and also has to be slaughtered in a special manner.

KOTEL - See Western Wall.