On Wednesday, Israel approved the expansion of a Jewish school in the Palestinian city of Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank. This move has sparked controversy as Palestinians believe it violates a long-standing agreement.
The approval for the construction comes a day after Israel’s finance minister announced the cancellation of a deal that previously allowed the Palestinian municipality to oversee planning and construction near Hebron’s historic center. This area is significant due to the presence of the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike.
The enclave around this holy site houses over 1,000 Jewish settlers. They live amid tens of thousands of Palestinians, with the area under full Israeli security control. According to the 1997 Hebron Agreement, Israeli troops were to remain stationed there, but construction activities typically required the Palestinian municipality’s approval.
Hebron’s religious significance attracts Israeli settlers eager to increase the Jewish presence in the area. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, has confirmed the approval of a 10,000 square foot building for a Jewish school in Hebron’s historic center. He stated, “We are continuing to build the Land of Israel in practice and to implement practical sovereignty in the settlements.” Smotrich is known for opposing the idea of Palestinian statehood.
Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist residing in Hebron, voiced concerns about Israel’s recent moves. He worries that changes to the Hebron Agreement could leave Palestinian residents without essential services. Amro described these actions as an attempt to compel Palestinians to leave. He said, “It means ethnic cleansing of Palestinian families from their homes, and more displacement. This is stealing Palestinian dreams to have a state and to live without violence, without fear, with peace.”
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