Three years ago, an incident at the foot of a staircase was called a
“Chanukah miracle” by local residents. David Wilder, said he heard the gunshot that
ended what could have been a much bloodier terrorist attack.
“Chanukah miracle” by local residents. David Wilder, said he heard the gunshot that
ended what could have been a much bloodier terrorist attack.
“I was speaking to a group downstairs in Beit Hadassah,” Wilder stated at the time. “People were
asking me about terrorists attacks in Hebron and as I was talking to them, I heard
a gunshot. I looked out the window facing the street and saw a couple of people, like in
the movies, with their guns out.”
That incident resulted in restrictions being placed on use of the “Madregot HaTikva”
stairs next to the Cordoba elementary school. Local residents, students and teachers are
free to access them.
The attack occurred on December 9, 2015 when terrorist jumped on a soldier at the bottom
of the stairs, stabbing him repeatedly. The terrorist was neutralized after unarmed
civilian Yitzchak Struk tackled him, suffering a broken hand in the
process.
On December 2, 2018, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld the restrictions by
reaffirming the authority of the Israel Defense Force to make decisions in the unusual
security situation of Hebron’s H2 area.
reaffirming the authority of the Israel Defense Force to make decisions in the unusual
security situation of Hebron’s H2 area.
Struk, the son of former Member of Knesset Orit Struk, was later awarded a special recognition from
the Israel Defense Forces for his stopping the terrorist who was shortly afterwards shot
by a security guard.
the Israel Defense Forces for his stopping the terrorist who was shortly afterwards shot
by a security guard.
The attack occurred two days after the murder of local Hebron gardener Genadi
Kaufman z”l, and in the midst of a rash of stabbing attacks in Hebron and throughout the
country, dubbed the “Stabbing Intifada.”
Kaufman z”l, and in the midst of a rash of stabbing attacks in Hebron and throughout the
country, dubbed the “Stabbing Intifada.”
The call for allowing anyone to use the stairs unrestricted was issued by
Palestinian Authority resident Issa Amro who filed a petition in Israel’s Supreme
Justice with the help of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel.
Palestinian Authority resident Issa Amro who filed a petition in Israel’s Supreme
Justice with the help of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel.
Amro is the head of Youth
Against Settlements, a group that advocates the removal of all Jews from
Hebron and has often clashed with Israeli security personnel and residents. The group’s
headquarters is located nearby and Amro is free to use the staircase. In the past he has
been charged by the police with attacking soldiers and civilians, and
incitement.
Against Settlements, a group that advocates the removal of all Jews from
Hebron and has often clashed with Israeli security personnel and residents. The group’s
headquarters is located nearby and Amro is free to use the staircase. In the past he has
been charged by the police with attacking soldiers and civilians, and
incitement.
Cordoba, an elementary school named after the Islamic Caliphate of Cordoba,
Spain is located in the H2 section of Hebron, across the street from Beit Hadassah on
Shuhada Street / King David Street, within the 20% of the city under Israeli
jurisdiction. Of the 20%, Jewish civilians are only allowed to venture through the
Jewish neighborhoods.
Spain is located in the H2 section of Hebron, across the street from Beit Hadassah on
Shuhada Street / King David Street, within the 20% of the city under Israeli
jurisdiction. Of the 20%, Jewish civilians are only allowed to venture through the
Jewish neighborhoods.
The 80% of the city under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction is completely
off limits to Jews. The largest PA city in Judea and Samaria, it is the heart of the PA’s economy and
contains a thriving business sector with several large shopping malls, hospitals, and a
football stadium.
off limits to Jews. The largest PA city in Judea and Samaria, it is the heart of the PA’s economy and
contains a thriving business sector with several large shopping malls, hospitals, and a
football stadium.
Following the upholding of restrictions to the staircase, Wilder stated,
“being that the stairs are a few meters away from the Beit Hadassah playground, museum
and apartments, any terrorist managing to cross the street would be a murderous threat
to Hebron’s children, residents and visitors.”
“being that the stairs are a few meters away from the Beit Hadassah playground, museum
and apartments, any terrorist managing to cross the street would be a murderous threat
to Hebron’s children, residents and visitors.”
Supreme Court Justice Yitzhak Amit wrote, “the security and civil reality in
Hebron is very complex, and the level of friction and complexity of the population
creates scenarios that appear to be almost unfounded in other contexts.” He added that
“the weight of the security interest prevails over the specific damage to the
petitioner.”
Hebron is very complex, and the level of friction and complexity of the population
creates scenarios that appear to be almost unfounded in other contexts.” He added that
“the weight of the security interest prevails over the specific damage to the
petitioner.”
There is a second entrance to the school as well as access from the
stairs. A July 26, 2007 article in the Washington Post reported that TIPH – The
Temporary International Presence in Hebron financed the renovation of a pathway at the
top of the staircase. TIPH regularly escorts students to the school. In 1980, the
area was the site of a terrorist attack that killed six Israelis.
stairs. A July 26, 2007 article in the Washington Post reported that TIPH – The
Temporary International Presence in Hebron financed the renovation of a pathway at the
top of the staircase. TIPH regularly escorts students to the school. In 1980, the
area was the site of a terrorist attack that killed six Israelis.
Hebron is home to the Tomb of Machpela, venerated at the burial site of the
Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs. It receives approximately 700,000 visitors every
year. The city was divided in 1997 with the Palestinian Authority being given full
control of area of the city.
Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs. It receives approximately 700,000 visitors every
year. The city was divided in 1997 with the Palestinian Authority being given full
control of area of the city.
NOTES:
* Israeli
Court Upholds IDF’s Ban on Hebron Stairwell – Jerusalem Post
Court Upholds IDF’s Ban on Hebron Stairwell – Jerusalem Post
* Video of
Stabbing – Ynet News
Stabbing – Ynet News
* Miracles
– in those days, at this time – David Wilder eye witness
account
– in those days, at this time – David Wilder eye witness
account
* 2
Israelis injured in Hebron stabbing; assailant killed – Times of
Israel
Israelis injured in Hebron stabbing; assailant killed – Times of
Israel
* Palestinian
posing as journalist stabs IDF soldier in Hebron – prior stabbing
attack
posing as journalist stabs IDF soldier in Hebron – prior stabbing
attack
* Palestinian
tries to stab Israeli man in Hebron; attacker killed – prior stabbing
near same area
tries to stab Israeli man in Hebron; attacker killed – prior stabbing
near same area
* Video:
Terrorist calmly walks up to soldiers, then tries to stab them in Hebron,
September 17 2016
Terrorist calmly walks up to soldiers, then tries to stab them in Hebron,
September 17 2016
VISIT HEBRON TODAY!
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http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
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Israeli contact info:
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office@hebron.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
Israeli contact info:
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office@hebron.com
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
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