Day Seven - Hebron

Today, we went to Hebron and met with the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee. This is an NGO that raises funds internationally to rebuild old Hebron. Historically, there was a small Jewish community in Hebron, which both Jews and Muslims mark as the burial place of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs – Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac are entombed inside the historic mosque. There has been conflict between the Jewish and Muslim community here over the ages, with the Jewish landowners leaving their homes. Since 1968, different groups of Jewish Settlers have snuck into the Hebron and established settlements, with an official settlement being established just over the hill. There are five small zones near the heart of Hebron where hard-core settlers have built buildings, even in places without permissions. They are trying to expand these five small settlements, with only 400 settlers, to take over all of the old city. The old school has been transformed into a Sheva. Homes that Palestinians hold deeds to are now in the hands of these settlers. And the mosque has been separated into both a synagogue and a mosque after a Jewish settler opened fire on Muslims praying there a few years. This city of 185,000 Palestinians is being held hostage because of 400 settlers.

There continues to be much conflict between the two groups, despite the presence of over 2,000 IDF soldiers guarding the 400 settlers. There have been instances where settlers have assaulted local Palestinians with the soldiers looking on. While the Christian Peacemaking Team does not have an active presence on the ground, the Ecumenical Accompaniers still remain. Despite all of the harassment and inconvenience, life goes on with vigor in this, the largest city in the West Bank.