Is Hebron safe to visit?

 

Yes, Hebron is safe to visit. There has been a steady increase in tourism over the past ten years. In 2019, over 1 million visitors came to Hebron. The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is one of the most iconic historical sites in Israel and has been a pilgrimage destination for travelers for thousands of years. 

 

 

Hebron can be accessed by daily public transportation and private vehicles. Buses arrive to and from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station serviced by the Egged Taavura national bus company. Many buses also go to Kiryat Arba, the adjacent sister-community of Hebron from which one can walk, or take a bus, taxi or private vehicle. On holidays and special events such as Passover, Succot and Shabbat Chayei Sarah, Egged and other bus companies offer special expanded service. Weekly tours take place organized by both the local community and various hotels and hostels.

 

* Route 380 to Kiryat Arba (bus.co.il)

* Route 381 to Hebron (bus.co.il)

* Route 382 to Kiryat Arba (bus.co.il)

* Egged Taavura

 

 

Hebron has both Israeli and PA controlled sides. Hebron is divided into the H1 and H2 section, of which the H2 section is under Israeli jurisdiction. This makes the Israeli communities in Hebron the equivalent of Area C of Judea and Samaria. Approximately 1,000 Israeli Jews live in Hebron.

 

There has been a Jewish community in Hebron since the time of Abraham and Sarah i.e. Middle / Late Bronze Age. 

 

Under the 1997 Hebron Accords, the city was divided into H1 and H2. The H1 side of Hebron is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority and its residents are serviced by PA municipal services such as the educational system, sports and culture authority, welfare office, electric company and water department. PA Hebronites have voting rights in municipal and national PA elections. There is brisk commercial trade between the PA and Israel, specifically from Hebron, the region’s largest and most industrialized city. Hebron factories export shoes, mattresses, plastic and other goods to Israel on a regular basis and Israeli products can be found in H1 Hebron shops.

 

The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is located in the H2 section under Israeli jurisdiction and has seen a steady increase in tourism in the past ten years culminating with an all-time high in 2019 of over 1 million tourists. Israeli residents living in Hebron are tax-paying citizens with voting rights in Israeli elections. Israeli Hebron residents have served as Members of Knesset. There are several kindergartens in H2 Hebron under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Education and Israeli Hebronites volunteer at a high rate for elite units in the Israeli Defense Forces and national service.

 

 

Yes, Hebron’s Israeli neighborhoods and Jewish holy sites are under Israeli jurisdiction and are the equivalent of Area C, which in the case of the city of Hebron is called H2.

 

Hebron is divided into the H1 and H2 section, of which the H2 section is under Israeli jurisdiction. This makes the Israeli communities in Hebron the equivalent of Area C of Judea and Samaria. The Oslo II Accords of 1995 which divided Judea and Samaria into Areas A, B and C did not stipulate specifically the status of Hebron. This was determined in the 1997 Hebron Accords which created the H1 and H2 divisions. These agreements were co-signed by international bodies. All Israelis living in H2 Hebron and in Area C of Judea and Samaria are full Israeli citizens bound by Israeli law and required to pay taxes, Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) and register for the draft like all Israelis.

 

 

Hebron is not dangerous and in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 1 million tourists visited. There is regular bus service to Hebron. Popular musicians perform there and elected officials across the political spectrum regularly visit. Hebron’s image has been marred in the mainstream media due to terrorist attacks. However Hebron is safe compared to large urban centers throughout the world. There is virtually zero crime, no bars, and no red light district. Both the Palestinian Authority side and the Israeli side are populated by blue-collar, conservative, hard-working residents noted for their hospitality in the tradition of Abraham and Sarah, the Biblical figures buried in the Tomb of Machpela, the city’s most well-known landmark.

 

 

United States contact info:



http://www.hebronfund.org

1760 Ocean Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11230

718-677-6886

info@hebronfund.org

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Israeli contact info:

http://en.hebron.org.il/

02-996-5333

office@hebron.com

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