(Photo: Bustling downtown
Hebron.)
Hebron.)
Hebron, the commercial and financial center of the Palestinian Authority
economy, and Israeli companies in the Hebron Hills may be joining forces to the
betterment of all local residents. At least that’s the vision promoted by Yochai Damari,
head of the Hebron Hills Regional Council, who recently led Israel’s Regional
Cooperation bureau to meet with PA businessmen and community leaders.
economy, and Israeli companies in the Hebron Hills may be joining forces to the
betterment of all local residents. At least that’s the vision promoted by Yochai Damari,
head of the Hebron Hills Regional Council, who recently led Israel’s Regional
Cooperation bureau to meet with PA businessmen and community leaders.
Damari hopes to implement the proposals within three years. He envisions
three future ventures, two businesses and one medical center. The first would be the
construction of an industrial and trade zone utilized by Israelis and PA residents
in Omarim, a mixed religious / secular community near Meitar in the Southern
Hebron Hills. The area comprises 3,000 dunam of land and has been approved by the
Israeli defense establishment.
three future ventures, two businesses and one medical center. The first would be the
construction of an industrial and trade zone utilized by Israelis and PA residents
in Omarim, a mixed religious / secular community near Meitar in the Southern
Hebron Hills. The area comprises 3,000 dunam of land and has been approved by the
Israeli defense establishment.
(Photo: Yochai Damari, Hebron Hills Regional
Council)
There is concern regarding the reaction of the PA, the governing authority
which controls 80% of the city of Hebron as well as all Arab population centers in
Judea and Samaria. According to Damari, he has conducted long meetings and conversations
Arab clan leaders and sheikhs of various villages in and around
Hebron.
which controls 80% of the city of Hebron as well as all Arab population centers in
Judea and Samaria. According to Damari, he has conducted long meetings and conversations
Arab clan leaders and sheikhs of various villages in and around
Hebron.
“They are interesting mainly in health, employment and education,” Damari
stated. “I had long, private talks with sheikhs, with rural dwellers and with PA
workers. They do not want the Palestinian Authority, and they do not want a future
Palestinian state.”
stated. “I had long, private talks with sheikhs, with rural dwellers and with PA
workers. They do not want the Palestinian Authority, and they do not want a future
Palestinian state.”
Joining the tour was Israel’s Regional Cooperation Ministry Director General
Hashem Hussein, an Israeli of Druze ethnicity. They met with residents of the PA
controlled city of Yatta, located within the Hebron district.
Hashem Hussein, an Israeli of Druze ethnicity. They met with residents of the PA
controlled city of Yatta, located within the Hebron district.
(Photo: Hashem Hussein, director-general of the Regional Cooperation
Ministry (L), and Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara. Source: GPO)
“The PA Gross Domestic Product is very high in the Hebron region,” said
Damari. “Most of the mattresses sold in Israel are produced in Hebron, he added,
referring to such companies as the successful Herbawi mattress
company.
Damari. “Most of the mattresses sold in Israel are produced in Hebron, he added,
referring to such companies as the successful Herbawi mattress
company.
“Disposable products, plastics, paper, etc. are manufactured in Hebron, as well as raw
materials such as lime and stone quarrying. Every day a thousand trucks leave PA Hebron
for Israeli destinations,” he stated. Damari proposed create a logistics center to help
facility the transportation of such goods and services and to protect both Israelis and
PA residents against terrorist
attacks that could potentially use the exporting as a cover for
attacks.
“I received the green light from the Civil Administration. In two weeks I
have a meeting with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major
General Yoav Mordechai. I hope he will support the idea. I talked about it with the
Prime Minister, he saw positive aspects. Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation
Ayoub Kara (Likud), supports it and the Ministry of Economy in the picture. I believe we
can make progress,” Damari said.
have a meeting with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Major
General Yoav Mordechai. I hope he will support the idea. I talked about it with the
Prime Minister, he saw positive aspects. Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation
Ayoub Kara (Likud), supports it and the Ministry of Economy in the picture. I believe we
can make progress,” Damari said.
The third venture is a medical center jointly used by both Israelis and PA
residents that would connect Area A, under full PA control with area B, which is jointly
controlled and Area C with is under full Israeli control.
residents that would connect Area A, under full PA control with area B, which is jointly
controlled and Area C with is under full Israeli control.
Damari said that the population of Hebron, which is wealthy in comparison to
other PA cities, prefer to receive medical treatment in such foreign Arab nations as
Qatar and Oman. This despite four medical facilities in Hebron region, namely, Al Ahli
General Hospital, Al-Mezan Speciality Hospital, Abu Hassan Qasim hospital in Yatta, and
Bani Naim Maternity Hospital.
other PA cities, prefer to receive medical treatment in such foreign Arab nations as
Qatar and Oman. This despite four medical facilities in Hebron region, namely, Al Ahli
General Hospital, Al-Mezan Speciality Hospital, Abu Hassan Qasim hospital in Yatta, and
Bani Naim Maternity Hospital.
“My plan is to bring in Israeli medical professionalism. Let’s start with a
small hospital and it will eventually grow.” Damari said private entities have expressed
enthusiastic support, including a United States senator. “The only opponents are the PA
and the European Union. But I know that if we are to live here together for years to
come, then we must find solutions to accommodate the shared interests of both PA
residents and local Israelis in Hebron and throughout Judea and
Samaria.”
small hospital and it will eventually grow.” Damari said private entities have expressed
enthusiastic support, including a United States senator. “The only opponents are the PA
and the European Union. But I know that if we are to live here together for years to
come, then we must find solutions to accommodate the shared interests of both PA
residents and local Israelis in Hebron and throughout Judea and
Samaria.”
(Photo below: Bank of Palestine / Hebron. Source: Osaily Trading Contracting
Co.)
Co.)
In the past, members of the Jewish Community of Hebron have held
independent talks with Sheikh Farid Jabari, an influencial regional community
leader. The community hopes that one day mutual recognition can foster a different kind
of future for all residents.
independent talks with Sheikh Farid Jabari, an influencial regional community
leader. The community hopes that one day mutual recognition can foster a different kind
of future for all residents.
To arrange your visit to Hebron, click here:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
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