(PHOTO: PA police colonel Ahmed Abu al-Rub and Fatah
Secretary for the Hebron area Kamal Makhamra view a flat tire with IDF
soldiers.)
Secretary for the Hebron area Kamal Makhamra view a flat tire with IDF
soldiers.)
Be they Jewish, Muslim, male or female, flat tires must be changed and
traffic must flow. That could be what Colonel Ahmed Abu al-Rub, chief of the Palestinian
Authority’s Hebron police department was thinking this past Wednesday when he found an
Israel Defense Force jeep with a flat tire blocking the road.
traffic must flow. That could be what Colonel Ahmed Abu al-Rub, chief of the Palestinian
Authority’s Hebron police department was thinking this past Wednesday when he found an
Israel Defense Force jeep with a flat tire blocking the road.
Backing up traffic on a thoroughfare near Yatta and Susiya which is
frequented by both PA and Israeli residents, the colonel finally got out of the car to
personally inspect the flat tire.
frequented by both PA and Israeli residents, the colonel finally got out of the car to
personally inspect the flat tire.
But what was seen as a matter of practicality, by some, and a good deed by
others was seen as treasonous by certain PA residents and officials.
others was seen as treasonous by certain PA residents and officials.
Abu al-Rub was suspended from his position after photographs of him helping
the group of Israelis were posted online. Some PA residents blasted the colonel for
helping “the occupation” and political cartoons mocking him were posted to Twitter and
other social media.
the group of Israelis were posted online. Some PA residents blasted the colonel for
helping “the occupation” and political cartoons mocking him were posted to Twitter and
other social media.
An official announcement from PA Major General Hazem Atallah stated that
“Ahmad Abu al-Rub will be suspended from work and sent to an investigation committee
while his deputy will be assigned to run the affairs of the governorate.”
The Jerusalem
Post reported PA sources stating that “at one stage, Abu al-Rub knelt down to
check the problem with the vehicle. He did not fix the tire of the
vehicle.”
“Ahmad Abu al-Rub will be suspended from work and sent to an investigation committee
while his deputy will be assigned to run the affairs of the governorate.”
The Jerusalem
Post reported PA sources stating that “at one stage, Abu al-Rub knelt down to
check the problem with the vehicle. He did not fix the tire of the
vehicle.”
The city of Hebron is divided into Israeli and PA sections with the PA having
its own governmental jurisdiction and police force. PA security teams often work
together with the IDF throughout Judea and Samaria, which is divided into Areas A, B and
C — PA control, Israeli control and joint jurisdiction. All major Arab population
centers are under PA control. In Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria, Israel is the
governing body.
its own governmental jurisdiction and police force. PA security teams often work
together with the IDF throughout Judea and Samaria, which is divided into Areas A, B and
C — PA control, Israeli control and joint jurisdiction. All major Arab population
centers are under PA control. In Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria, Israel is the
governing body.
In Hebron, the rare tours of Jewish holy sites located in PA controlled areas
are conducted in coordination between the two. On holidays such as Ramadan,
medical and security personnel from both jurisdictions coordinate the influx of
large crowds. The joint coordination is in line with both the Oslo Accords of 1993 which
created the PA and the Hebron Accords of 1997 which divided the city. Israeli
security and medical personnel in Hebron have also helped PA residents in medical
emergencies.
are conducted in coordination between the two. On holidays such as Ramadan,
medical and security personnel from both jurisdictions coordinate the influx of
large crowds. The joint coordination is in line with both the Oslo Accords of 1993 which
created the PA and the Hebron Accords of 1997 which divided the city. Israeli
security and medical personnel in Hebron have also helped PA residents in medical
emergencies.
Whether or not Abu al-Rub actually fixed the flat tire, or whether his
motivation was out of self interest or humanitarianism we may never know. But what it
does highlight is the complicated relationship between Jews and Muslims in the greater
Hebron region which sees a mix of both normal daily human interactions and violent
terrorist attacks.
motivation was out of self interest or humanitarianism we may never know. But what it
does highlight is the complicated relationship between Jews and Muslims in the greater
Hebron region which sees a mix of both normal daily human interactions and violent
terrorist attacks.
There is a fear in the Arab community of being seen as a collaborator with
Israel. Arabs who have sold real estate to Israelis have been sentenced to death as was
the case of Muhammad
Abu Shahala in Hebron. The flat tire incident also brings up the issue of
whether the majority of average PA residents truly hate Jews or whether it is just the
leadership which holds a tight grasp on controlling public sentiment.
Israel. Arabs who have sold real estate to Israelis have been sentenced to death as was
the case of Muhammad
Abu Shahala in Hebron. The flat tire incident also brings up the issue of
whether the majority of average PA residents truly hate Jews or whether it is just the
leadership which holds a tight grasp on controlling public sentiment.
NOTES:
* PA
suspends Hebron police chief for helping IDF soldiers change a tire – Times of
Israel
suspends Hebron police chief for helping IDF soldiers change a tire – Times of
Israel
* PA
POLICE COMMANDER SUSPENDED FOR HELPING ISRAELI SOLDIERS FIX TIRE – Jerusalem
Post
POLICE COMMANDER SUSPENDED FOR HELPING ISRAELI SOLDIERS FIX TIRE – Jerusalem
Post
* Official
PA Police Announcement – Facebook
PA Police Announcement – Facebook
* Palestinian
police chief suspended for being ‘mechanic boy’ while helping Israeli soldiers change
flat tire – Fox News
police chief suspended for being ‘mechanic boy’ while helping Israeli soldiers change
flat tire – Fox News
* Arab
seller of Machpela House sentenced to death – JTA, 2012
seller of Machpela House sentenced to death – JTA, 2012
PAST INCIDENTS:
* Border Police
officers save Arab man – September 30, 2018
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local Arab boy – July 29, 2017
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Medic Nurses Baby of Injured Palestinian Mother at
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and saves an Arab baby in front of Beit Hadassah – June 28,
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* Hebron Teen Saved by Rambam’s ECMO
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* IDF soldier
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VISIT HEBRON TODAY!
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