Member of Knesset, David Bitan (Likud) visited the H2 section of
Hebron last week along with a delegation of Likud party activists. The delegation was
accompanied by Director General of the Jewish Community of Hebron Uri Karzen, former MK
Orit Struck, and community spokesperson Noam Arnon.
The group visited the Museum of the Jewish Community in Hebron which illustrates the
4,000 years of Jewish history in the city. Among the displays are photos of
victims and survivors of the infamous riots of 1929. The mob
murdered 67 Jewish residents and the community was subsequently expelled. Also on
display are some of the actual knives and other implements used in the attacks. MK
Bitan expressed shock in “the similarity between 1929 and the current ‘knife
intifada.'” He added that “the same tools were used to try to and achieve the same
goals.”
To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact us:
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
Hebron last week along with a delegation of Likud party activists. The delegation was
accompanied by Director General of the Jewish Community of Hebron Uri Karzen, former MK
Orit Struck, and community spokesperson Noam Arnon.
Thanks to his status as a Member of Knesset, the delegation was allowed to
visit the Hall of Isaac in the Tomb
of Machpela. This area is usually only open to Jewish people on ten days
during the year, corresponding to Jewish holidays and special events. The tour of the
Tomb of Machepla complex was led by long-time community spokesperson Noam Arnon. He
is one of the few people in modern history to have actually entered inside the cave. He
described to the group how as part of the team that investigated
the site, he helped discover ancient artifacts dating back to
the Israelite Period. The massive Tomb of Machpela building that sits atop the
underground caves was build by King Herod the Great to house the burial site of the
Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
visit the Hall of Isaac in the Tomb
of Machpela. This area is usually only open to Jewish people on ten days
during the year, corresponding to Jewish holidays and special events. The tour of the
Tomb of Machepla complex was led by long-time community spokesperson Noam Arnon. He
is one of the few people in modern history to have actually entered inside the cave. He
described to the group how as part of the team that investigated
the site, he helped discover ancient artifacts dating back to
the Israelite Period. The massive Tomb of Machpela building that sits atop the
underground caves was build by King Herod the Great to house the burial site of the
Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
While standing from a vantage point that overlooks the modern city of Hebron,
MK Bitan stated, “from this spectacular view, one can see the Arab community of the city
enjoying a well-developed and thriving economy, he stated, referring to such city
landmarks as the multi-story Bank of Palestine building, the Arab Palestinian Shopping
Center, Hebron University, Palestine Polytechnic University, and Palestinian Red
Crescent Hospital. “These 200,000 Arab residents of Hebron have close economic ties with
Israel,” he explained. MK Bitan added that one can “clearly see the narrative of
Israeli ‘occupation’ is merely a false propaganda spread by hostile
elements.”
MK Bitan stated, “from this spectacular view, one can see the Arab community of the city
enjoying a well-developed and thriving economy, he stated, referring to such city
landmarks as the multi-story Bank of Palestine building, the Arab Palestinian Shopping
Center, Hebron University, Palestine Polytechnic University, and Palestinian Red
Crescent Hospital. “These 200,000 Arab residents of Hebron have close economic ties with
Israel,” he explained. MK Bitan added that one can “clearly see the narrative of
Israeli ‘occupation’ is merely a false propaganda spread by hostile
elements.”
The group visited the Museum of the Jewish Community in Hebron which illustrates the
4,000 years of Jewish history in the city. Among the displays are photos of
victims and survivors of the infamous riots of 1929. The mob
murdered 67 Jewish residents and the community was subsequently expelled. Also on
display are some of the actual knives and other implements used in the attacks. MK
Bitan expressed shock in “the similarity between 1929 and the current ‘knife
intifada.'” He added that “the same tools were used to try to and achieve the same
goals.”
Director General of the Jewish Community of Hebron Uri Karzen gave the group
a detailed update on the local Jewish community’s various problems and successes.
One issue of particular concern is the housing crisis which Karzen said is a result from
a ban on the ability for Jewish residents to obtain building permits in the
city.
a detailed update on the local Jewish community’s various problems and successes.
One issue of particular concern is the housing crisis which Karzen said is a result from
a ban on the ability for Jewish residents to obtain building permits in the
city.
The group also visited the Beit Machpela
building, situated close to the Tomb of Machpela. The house was legally
purchased by Jewish residents but their occupancy of the residence is currently
blocked due to bureaucratic hurdles. MK Bitan promised to investigate facilitating the
Jewish community to exercise their property rights.
building, situated close to the Tomb of Machpela. The house was legally
purchased by Jewish residents but their occupancy of the residence is currently
blocked due to bureaucratic hurdles. MK Bitan promised to investigate facilitating the
Jewish community to exercise their property rights.
Long-time Hebron resident and former Member of Knesset Orit Struck organized
and coordinated the visit. She stated, “we were delighted to entertain our friend and
supporter, as part of our tradition of hospitality. We hope more people will visit to
understand the needs of the Hebron community. We also believe in the benefit of
connecting the Jewish people to the city of the Forefathers and
Foremothers.”
and coordinated the visit. She stated, “we were delighted to entertain our friend and
supporter, as part of our tradition of hospitality. We hope more people will visit to
understand the needs of the Hebron community. We also believe in the benefit of
connecting the Jewish people to the city of the Forefathers and
Foremothers.”
MK Bitan added, “I was impressed by this city and by its inhabitants. The
legacy of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs is for the entire Jewish people. The effort to
repatriate the Jewish people to Hebron is a just and moral cause and in tandem with the
values of the Likud party, and I will do my best to strengthen it.”
legacy of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs is for the entire Jewish people. The effort to
repatriate the Jewish people to Hebron is a just and moral cause and in tandem with the
values of the Likud party, and I will do my best to strengthen it.”
MK Bitan is the latest in a series of elected officials and community leaders
to have visited Hebron recently.
to have visited Hebron recently.
To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact us:
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
