(PHOTO: TIPH headquarters in the H1
Palestinian Authority section of Hebron. Credit: Wiki
Commons.)
Palestinian Authority section of Hebron. Credit: Wiki
Commons.)
The pressure to end TIPH’s presence in Hebron is growing following
a Knesset conference and a leaked confidential report. Two incidents of attacks on Jewish residents this
year have brought the group into the spotlight. Since the 1997 Hebron Accords, the
Temporary International Presence in Hebron has patrolled the city in order to
protect Palestinian Authority residents. Two previous incarnations of TIPH
existed in 1994 and 1996.
a Knesset conference and a leaked confidential report. Two incidents of attacks on Jewish residents this
year have brought the group into the spotlight. Since the 1997 Hebron Accords, the
Temporary International Presence in Hebron has patrolled the city in order to
protect Palestinian Authority residents. Two previous incarnations of TIPH
existed in 1994 and 1996.
On Monday a group of Members of Knesset, government ministers and Jewish
Hebron residents held a conference at the Knesset to celebrate the community. Billed as
a show of solidarity for the Hebron settlers, the issue of TIPH was on the top of the
agenda.
Hebron residents held a conference at the Knesset to celebrate the community. Billed as
a show of solidarity for the Hebron settlers, the issue of TIPH was on the top of the
agenda.
The conference was hosted by Members of Knesset Yoav Kisch (Likud Party) and
Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home Party). In attendance was Avraham Ben Yosef, head of
Hebron’s Municipal Administration, and Orit Strook, a former Knesset member and
long-time Hebron resident.
Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home Party). In attendance was Avraham Ben Yosef, head of
Hebron’s Municipal Administration, and Orit Strook, a former Knesset member and
long-time Hebron resident.
Since leaving Knesset, Strook has been working behind the scenes for the
community. She praised the Knesset’s new zoning plans for the Hezekiah quarter and the old
wholesale market (Mitzpe
Shalhevet), as well as the new Tel Hevron archaeological site.
“They also responded appropriately to UNESCO’s hallucinatory decision that Hebron is
solely a Palestinian heritage city,” she told Israel National News.
community. She praised the Knesset’s new zoning plans for the Hezekiah quarter and the old
wholesale market (Mitzpe
Shalhevet), as well as the new Tel Hevron archaeological site.
“They also responded appropriately to UNESCO’s hallucinatory decision that Hebron is
solely a Palestinian heritage city,” she told Israel National News.
The conference was scheduled a day before a conference hosted by the Meretz
Party calling for the expulsion of Jews from Hebron. Strook said those who
call for the removal of Jews from Hebron from Jews are on the extreme fringes of
society. “Meretz apparently smells new elections in the air and wants to show their
constituents that they are doing something, but our conference will be attended by
Members of Knesset, ministers and party leaders proving we have a consensus when it
comes to support and that the majority of Israelis have no problem with Jews living in
Hebron,” she said.
Party calling for the expulsion of Jews from Hebron. Strook said those who
call for the removal of Jews from Hebron from Jews are on the extreme fringes of
society. “Meretz apparently smells new elections in the air and wants to show their
constituents that they are doing something, but our conference will be attended by
Members of Knesset, ministers and party leaders proving we have a consensus when it
comes to support and that the majority of Israelis have no problem with Jews living in
Hebron,” she said.
TIPH ACCUSED OF ATTACKING JEWISH
RESIDENTS
RESIDENTS
The center of attention was on TIPH, which has it’s mandate renewed every six
months. Originally conceived by the United Nations to keep the peace between Jewish
and Arab residents, the foreign observers in their vests and white cars have been
accused of blatant bias against Israel. According to their official website, part of
their mission is to “promote by its presence a feeling of security to the Palestinians
of Hebron” and “to help promote stability and an appropriate environment conducive to
the enhancement of the well-being of the Palestinians of Hebron and their economic
development.” They also “monitor Israeli settlers.” Observers come from Norway,
Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
months. Originally conceived by the United Nations to keep the peace between Jewish
and Arab residents, the foreign observers in their vests and white cars have been
accused of blatant bias against Israel. According to their official website, part of
their mission is to “promote by its presence a feeling of security to the Palestinians
of Hebron” and “to help promote stability and an appropriate environment conducive to
the enhancement of the well-being of the Palestinians of Hebron and their economic
development.” They also “monitor Israeli settlers.” Observers come from Norway,
Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.
In July, a TIPH observer was sent back to his home country after being caught
on video slapping a ten-year-old Jewish
boy in the face. The observer had been participating in a Breaking the
Silence tour of the city, something not allowed according to TIPH’s protocols. Later
that month, it was revealed that a TIPH member was filmed puncturing the tire of a
Jewish resident’s vehicle.
on video slapping a ten-year-old Jewish
boy in the face. The observer had been participating in a Breaking the
Silence tour of the city, something not allowed according to TIPH’s protocols. Later
that month, it was revealed that a TIPH member was filmed puncturing the tire of a
Jewish resident’s vehicle.
CONFIDENTIAL TIPH REPORT BLASTS
ISRAEL
ISRAEL
This month, a TIPH report severely criticizing Israel and condemning the
Jewish civilian presence in the city was released. The leaked report has resulted in
more backlash against the group. The confidential report was quoted in part by reporter
Uri Blau in Haaretz newspaper. The article entitled
“Confidential Report Based on 20 Years of Monitoring Claims: Israel Regularly
Breaks International Law in Hebron” complains that Palestinian Authority
residents face restrictions in the Israeli controlled side of the city, but
fails to mention that the 80% of Hebron the PA controls is completely
off-limits to Israelis. It also attacked the State of Israel for opening the Tel Hevron archaeological
garden, because it highlights the Jewish historical connection to the city. No mention
is made of Arab terrorist attacks against Israelis.
Jewish civilian presence in the city was released. The leaked report has resulted in
more backlash against the group. The confidential report was quoted in part by reporter
Uri Blau in Haaretz newspaper. The article entitled
“Confidential Report Based on 20 Years of Monitoring Claims: Israel Regularly
Breaks International Law in Hebron” complains that Palestinian Authority
residents face restrictions in the Israeli controlled side of the city, but
fails to mention that the 80% of Hebron the PA controls is completely
off-limits to Israelis. It also attacked the State of Israel for opening the Tel Hevron archaeological
garden, because it highlights the Jewish historical connection to the city. No mention
is made of Arab terrorist attacks against Israelis.
The paper quoted an unnamed diplomat who has seen the report, but the
full 100-page document is confidential. The writer interviewed a member of TIPH who
stated “TIPH reports are not for publication. They are transferred to both sides based
on the understanding that they will not be passed on to other parties, certainly not the
media. Therefore, we have no intention of commenting on partial information or any other
publications about this issue.” After the Haaretz expose on the
TIPH report, the issue was covered by multiple pro-Palestinian media outlets such as the
International Middle East Media Center, and the Palestine
News Network.
full 100-page document is confidential. The writer interviewed a member of TIPH who
stated “TIPH reports are not for publication. They are transferred to both sides based
on the understanding that they will not be passed on to other parties, certainly not the
media. Therefore, we have no intention of commenting on partial information or any other
publications about this issue.” After the Haaretz expose on the
TIPH report, the issue was covered by multiple pro-Palestinian media outlets such as the
International Middle East Media Center, and the Palestine
News Network.
Long-time Haaretz reporter Uri Blau gained notoriety in
2009 for publishing illegally obtained classified Israel Defense Force documents that
dealt with how the army carried out preventative operations on terrorists. Upon the
arrest of the former IDF soldier who gave him the information, he fled the country. Upon
his return he agreed to a plea bargain and served 4 months community service for
possession of classified IDF documents.
2009 for publishing illegally obtained classified Israel Defense Force documents that
dealt with how the army carried out preventative operations on terrorists. Upon the
arrest of the former IDF soldier who gave him the information, he fled the country. Upon
his return he agreed to a plea bargain and served 4 months community service for
possession of classified IDF documents.
AMIRA HASS SLANDER CASE
This is not the first time Haaretz newspaper has faced
legal action. In June 2001, veteran Haaretz journalist Amira Hass
was ordered to pay the Jewish Community of Hebron 250,000
shekels in damages after the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled she had
published slander.
legal action. In June 2001, veteran Haaretz journalist Amira Hass
was ordered to pay the Jewish Community of Hebron 250,000
shekels in damages after the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled she had
published slander.
Hass published unsubstantiated accounts that local Jewish residents defiled
the dead body of a terrorist who has just been killed by the IDF in front of a Jewish
apartment complex. Hass wrote that Jewish residents kicked, spit and otherwise abused
the corpse as it lay outside Beit
Hadassah, a residential Jewish building. The Jewish residents initially asked
for a written apology but when Haaretz refused, they sued, accusing
them of falsely reporting the story with malicious intent. TV footage of the incident
proved Haaretz‘s account was false. Judge Rachel
Shalev-Gartel ruled that Hass had damaged the community’s
reputation.
the dead body of a terrorist who has just been killed by the IDF in front of a Jewish
apartment complex. Hass wrote that Jewish residents kicked, spit and otherwise abused
the corpse as it lay outside Beit
Hadassah, a residential Jewish building. The Jewish residents initially asked
for a written apology but when Haaretz refused, they sued, accusing
them of falsely reporting the story with malicious intent. TV footage of the incident
proved Haaretz‘s account was false. Judge Rachel
Shalev-Gartel ruled that Hass had damaged the community’s
reputation.
HAARETZ ARTICLE GENERATES
BACKLASH
BACKLASH
The new Haaretz article about TIPH is generating a
backlash and the renewed focus on the organization may bring about its ouster
from Hebron. My Israel chairwoman Sarah Haetzni-Cohen, who grew up in
Hebron, recently responded to the issue in Makor Rishon newspaper
stating, “Suddenly, a confidential report finds its way to Haaretz.
How? I can only guess. And there — the usual lies: Israel violates international law,
violates freedom of worship, etc. They reach foreign representatives and diplomats
through their reports and countless briefings and tours. We pay the
price.”
backlash and the renewed focus on the organization may bring about its ouster
from Hebron. My Israel chairwoman Sarah Haetzni-Cohen, who grew up in
Hebron, recently responded to the issue in Makor Rishon newspaper
stating, “Suddenly, a confidential report finds its way to Haaretz.
How? I can only guess. And there — the usual lies: Israel violates international law,
violates freedom of worship, etc. They reach foreign representatives and diplomats
through their reports and countless briefings and tours. We pay the
price.”
In addition to the leaked report, this month it was reported that
TIPH has been running joint tours of Hebron with the Breaking the Silence NGO for groups
of diplomats and left-wing activists, in violation of its mandate. Unlike in the
incident of the Jewish child being slapped, this was not the case of a single TIPH
representative taking part in a tour, but pre-planned excursions with trained
activists.
TIPH has been running joint tours of Hebron with the Breaking the Silence NGO for groups
of diplomats and left-wing activists, in violation of its mandate. Unlike in the
incident of the Jewish child being slapped, this was not the case of a single TIPH
representative taking part in a tour, but pre-planned excursions with trained
activists.
In response to the revelation, MK Kisch and MK Smotrich stated, “following
the exposure of TIPH’s ties with Breaking the Silence and the active and obsessive
involvement of the observer force in pro-Palestinian, anti-Semitic, defamatory and false
propaganda against Israel — in complete contravention of the force’s mandate — we again
call upon the government to do what is needed and announce the end of the TIPH mandate
in Hebron already at the end of this December.”
the exposure of TIPH’s ties with Breaking the Silence and the active and obsessive
involvement of the observer force in pro-Palestinian, anti-Semitic, defamatory and false
propaganda against Israel — in complete contravention of the force’s mandate — we again
call upon the government to do what is needed and announce the end of the TIPH mandate
in Hebron already at the end of this December.”
BANK FRAUD AND EMBEZZLEMENT
This month it was revealed that TIPH has also been accused of bank fraud and
other crimes. TIPH’s former chief procurement and financial officer Bennet Nygaard
Solum testified that “TIPH fails to meet its own code of ethics. It disregards Israeli
and Palestinian law in Hebron and prefers to protect its own members from any
allegations of wrongdoing.”
other crimes. TIPH’s former chief procurement and financial officer Bennet Nygaard
Solum testified that “TIPH fails to meet its own code of ethics. It disregards Israeli
and Palestinian law in Hebron and prefers to protect its own members from any
allegations of wrongdoing.”
In his affidavit, Nygaard Solum admitted he had taken part of such
cover-ups. “As the financial officer, I investigated fraud allegations against three
local employees who were accused of drawing checks from the Arab Bank in Hebron. The
case centered around checks that were not delivered to a supermarket that was our main
supplier,” Nygaard Solum stated in an affidavit.
cover-ups. “As the financial officer, I investigated fraud allegations against three
local employees who were accused of drawing checks from the Arab Bank in Hebron. The
case centered around checks that were not delivered to a supermarket that was our main
supplier,” Nygaard Solum stated in an affidavit.
Local employees embezzled the money but “TIPH’s legal adviser
instructed me not to mention this incident in a hearing we had in 2011,” he
said.
instructed me not to mention this incident in a hearing we had in 2011,” he
said.
He also spoke of a 2009 previous fraud case which involved “incorrect sums in
procurement orders, which didn’t match what was actually received by the purchasing
department. For example, an invoice would say we ordered 40 [cartons of] milk but only
20 would arrive,” he said.
procurement orders, which didn’t match what was actually received by the purchasing
department. For example, an invoice would say we ordered 40 [cartons of] milk but only
20 would arrive,” he said.
”The difference was divvied up between the local employee and the
supermarket. The procurement officer at the time knew about the fraud but didn’t
report it to his superiors, so not as to lose his job,” he
explained.
supermarket. The procurement officer at the time knew about the fraud but didn’t
report it to his superiors, so not as to lose his job,” he
explained.
Nygaard Solum stated that he knew of the incident in which a TIPH member punctured the tire of Jewish
resident’s car, and that “TIPH’s deputy commander lied to the police and said he didn’t
know the observer who did it, when, in fact, he did, in order to protect
TIPH.”
resident’s car, and that “TIPH’s deputy commander lied to the police and said he didn’t
know the observer who did it, when, in fact, he did, in order to protect
TIPH.”
MEMBERS OF KNESSET CALL FOR TIPH’S
OUSTER
OUSTER
In response, elected officials sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu asking him not to renew TIPH’s mandate.
Netanyahu asking him not to renew TIPH’s mandate.
“It has been almost 22 years since TIPH was deployed in Hebron, during which
the observer force was discovered to be biased, in the full sense of the word,
undermining IDF soldiers and the State of Israel,” letter read.
the observer force was discovered to be biased, in the full sense of the word,
undermining IDF soldiers and the State of Israel,” letter read.
“While the Jewish community in Hebron has suffered thousands of terrorist
attacks, TIPH observers have been careful to monitor and report only on the plight of
the Palestinians in the city, and contrary to their mandate, they host foreign
diplomats on anti-Israeli propaganda tours in the city, and participate in activities
organized by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.”
attacks, TIPH observers have been careful to monitor and report only on the plight of
the Palestinians in the city, and contrary to their mandate, they host foreign
diplomats on anti-Israeli propaganda tours in the city, and participate in activities
organized by the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.”
The observers “regularly harass the Jewish residents of the city and their
children, and recently, two violent incidents in which they were involved were
captured on camera. After 22 years, the time has come to bring TIPH’s mandate, which
was always intended to be temporary, to an end.”
children, and recently, two violent incidents in which they were involved were
captured on camera. After 22 years, the time has come to bring TIPH’s mandate, which
was always intended to be temporary, to an end.”
The letter was signed by MKs Yoav Kisch, Amir Ohana, Nava Boker, Yehudah
Glick, Sharren Haskel, Miki Zohar Nurit Koren, Bezalel Smotrich, Shuli
Mualem-Rafaeli, Nissan Slomiansky, Yinon Azoulay, Yoav Ben Tzur, Yakov Margi,
Michael Malkieli and Dan Saida.
Glick, Sharren Haskel, Miki Zohar Nurit Koren, Bezalel Smotrich, Shuli
Mualem-Rafaeli, Nissan Slomiansky, Yinon Azoulay, Yoav Ben Tzur, Yakov Margi,
Michael Malkieli and Dan Saida.
Likud MK Anat Berko and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely had
previously called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to explore terminating TIPH’s
mandate.
previously called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to explore terminating TIPH’s
mandate.
Karin Aggestam, a former TIPH observer and author of the 2001 journal
article From theory to practice: Temporary International Presence in
Hebron distinguishes between what she calls neutrality and
impartiality. According to Aggestam, TIPH is not expected to be neutral, since she
interprets its mandate as to monitor the welfare of the Palestinian Authority
residents.
article From theory to practice: Temporary International Presence in
Hebron distinguishes between what she calls neutrality and
impartiality. According to Aggestam, TIPH is not expected to be neutral, since she
interprets its mandate as to monitor the welfare of the Palestinian Authority
residents.
NOTES:
* Knesset
caucus demands ouster of Hebron observer force in wake of new revelation –
World Israel News
caucus demands ouster of Hebron observer force in wake of new revelation –
World Israel News
* Israel
Presses to End International Observer Mission in Hebron – Breaking Israel
News
Presses to End International Observer Mission in Hebron – Breaking Israel
News
* TIPH
Hebron Observer Force Fails to Meet its Own Code of Ethics, Official
Says – JNS News Service
Hebron Observer Force Fails to Meet its Own Code of Ethics, Official
Says – JNS News Service
* Foreign
Ministry pushing to keep international observers in Hebron – Israel
Hayom
Ministry pushing to keep international observers in Hebron – Israel
Hayom
* The false
narrative of the observers’ force in Hebron – Israel Hayom
narrative of the observers’ force in Hebron – Israel Hayom
* Minister
Gila Gamliel: “We must condemn TIPH – Kipa News
Gila Gamliel: “We must condemn TIPH – Kipa News
* After 20
years under Israeli sponsorship: It’s time to kick out TIPH – Makor
Rishon
years under Israeli sponsorship: It’s time to kick out TIPH – Makor
Rishon
* Interview with
Orit Strook on Hebron Knesset Conference – Arutz Sheva
Orit Strook on Hebron Knesset Conference – Arutz Sheva
* Ministers, MKs demand:
No renewal of TIPH mandate – Israel National News
No renewal of TIPH mandate – Israel National News
* Ministers, MKs demand:
No renewal of TIPH mandate – Israel National News
No renewal of TIPH mandate – Israel National News
* Politicians:
Netanyahu Must Keep Pledge to Weigh Ousting TIPH from Hebron – Jerusalem
Post
Netanyahu Must Keep Pledge to Weigh Ousting TIPH from Hebron – Jerusalem
Post
* End of the TIPH
Mandate? – Arutz Sheva
Mandate? – Arutz Sheva
* “לסיים
מנדט טי”פ בחברון בסוף החודש” – Israel Hayom
מנדט טי”פ בחברון בסוף החודש” – Israel Hayom
* השרה
גמליאל: “צריך להוקיע את TIPH” – Kipa News
גמליאל: “צריך להוקיע את TIPH” – Kipa News
* Biased Report Funded by TIPH
Distorts History of Hebron – Israel Hayom
Distorts History of Hebron – Israel Hayom
* Send
the Hebron Observer Force Home – Jewish Press
the Hebron Observer Force Home – Jewish Press
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