Palestinian Authority land freeze targets Arab Israelis after Jewish home purchases near Jericho

Jewish families moved into several homes on the outskirts of Jericho near the Hasmonean Palaces in early November 2026 after the Nachala Movement purchased the properties in secret. The families, including Shmuel and Reshit Gazit, were contacted about three weeks before entry and received a preparation list roughly a week prior, according to Israel National News. Zvi Elimelech Sharbaf, chairman of the Nachala Movement, said secrecy was necessary to protect Arab sellers from the Palestinian Authority's death penalty for selling property to Jews, and the move-in was accelerated when information about the sale risked leaking.

The Palestinian Authority responded by arresting suspects involved in the sale of homes to settlers on the outskirts of Jericho, The Times of Israel reported. The Jerusalem Post stated the PA imposed a land freeze targeting Arab Israelis following the Jewish home purchases near Jericho. Binyamin Governor and Yesha Council chairman Yisrael Ganz said the return to Jericho connects Jewish roots with the future being built there, referencing an incident approximately a year ago when antiquities looters broke into an ancient burial site near the Hasmonean palaces where a shattered skull was discovered.

Shmuel Gazit said the families entered the properties without confrontations and that the military is protecting them. He added that Arab neighbors welcomed the newcomers and offered help and water. The homes were previously lavish vacation homes, one with a swimming pool now serving the community's children and visitors. Reshit Gazit described the families as a temporary nucleus waiting for a permanent group to move in.

Separately, the IDF admitted its West Bank commander met with a settler official but denied secret coordination regarding the Jericho outpost, Yahoo reported. Haaretz published an editorial stating the IDF's West Bank chief has become little more than a coordinator for settlers.