(PHOTO: Protesters throw projectiles at Israeli soldiers
and make gestures for the camera during the Open Shuhada Street
protest.)
and make gestures for the camera during the Open Shuhada Street
protest.)
The annual Open Shuhada Street demonstrations ended last week with
protesters throwing shoes as a giant poster of U.S. President Donald Trump followed
by a riot.
protesters throwing shoes as a giant poster of U.S. President Donald Trump followed
by a riot.
Issa
Amro, a long time agitator from Hebron and the head of “Youth Against
Settlements” organized the Saturday Feb. 25th protest following one of his frequent
fundraising trips in Europe.
Amro, a long time agitator from Hebron and the head of “Youth Against
Settlements” organized the Saturday Feb. 25th protest following one of his frequent
fundraising trips in Europe.
“Today, he will get these shoes which was [sic] made in Hebron,” he stated in
front of the Trump banner, in the presence of Reuters news and the other media outlets
which were out en masse to cover the event.
front of the Trump banner, in the presence of Reuters news and the other media outlets
which were out en masse to cover the event.
“It is a Palestinian product. He will get it in his face, him and anybody
supporting him,” he shouted, as the group, many in checkered scarves and face masks
threw shoes at the Trump poster and chanted “Allah Akbar [Allah is
Greater].”
supporting him,” he shouted, as the group, many in checkered scarves and face masks
threw shoes at the Trump poster and chanted “Allah Akbar [Allah is
Greater].”
For years Amro has organized the Open Shuhada Street protests. A known
agitator, he has been arrested numerous times and charged with violence
and incitement to violence. His staged media events are manufactured to depict
Israel in a bad light. A master manipulator, Amro depicts himself in the international
media as a “Palestinian Gandhi.”
agitator, he has been arrested numerous times and charged with violence
and incitement to violence. His staged media events are manufactured to depict
Israel in a bad light. A master manipulator, Amro depicts himself in the international
media as a “Palestinian Gandhi.”
Following the event, Youth Against Settlements held an “Excellence in
Nonviolence Resistance Award” ceremony. All events were held in sections of the
city off limits to Jewish civilians.
Nonviolence Resistance Award” ceremony. All events were held in sections of the
city off limits to Jewish civilians.
Hebron is the largest and
most prosperous in the Palestinian Authority and accounts for 40% of its gross
domestic product. The PA controls 80% of the city while Israel controls 20%. Jewish
civilians and tourists are allowed to access 3% of the city, meaning even certain
Israeli controlled areas are off limits to Jews, including holy sites such as the Tomb
of Abner Ben Ner, and
Kabbalists Corner in the former Jewish neighborhoods of pre-1929
Hebron.
most prosperous in the Palestinian Authority and accounts for 40% of its gross
domestic product. The PA controls 80% of the city while Israel controls 20%. Jewish
civilians and tourists are allowed to access 3% of the city, meaning even certain
Israeli controlled areas are off limits to Jews, including holy sites such as the Tomb
of Abner Ben Ner, and
Kabbalists Corner in the former Jewish neighborhoods of pre-1929
Hebron.
The posters and banners for the event were telling with a giant
banner reading “Dismantle the ghetto, take the settlers out of Hebron.”
banner reading “Dismantle the ghetto, take the settlers out of Hebron.”
Although the casual reader may think the Open Shuhada Street protests are
merely about one street being accessible to Palestinian Authority residents, the
organizers do not try to hide that they want all Jews removed from all of
Hebron.
merely about one street being accessible to Palestinian Authority residents, the
organizers do not try to hide that they want all Jews removed from all of
Hebron.
Logos and banners depict maps of Israel colored in with a Palestinian
Authority flag, indicating they consider all of Israel to be Palestine not just Judea
and Samaria, a.k.a. the “West Bank,” where Hebron is
located.
Authority flag, indicating they consider all of Israel to be Palestine not just Judea
and Samaria, a.k.a. the “West Bank,” where Hebron is
located.
According to the banners, the event was staged in conjunction with the
Palestinian Authority, Fatah, the Fatah [Fateh] Youth Movement, and other organizations,
most of which show maps of Israel as maps of Palestine on their logo. The Fatah
logo depicts crossed rifles and a grenade.
Palestinian Authority, Fatah, the Fatah [Fateh] Youth Movement, and other organizations,
most of which show maps of Israel as maps of Palestine on their logo. The Fatah
logo depicts crossed rifles and a grenade.
(PHOTO: The banner at Saturday’s protest showed the logos of the
PA, Fatah, and other groups with the slogan “take the settlers out of
Hebron.”)
PA, Fatah, and other groups with the slogan “take the settlers out of
Hebron.”)
The Youth Against Settlements website states that once they
take over Shuhada Street, they will move on to the rest of Israel: “By building a
focused campaign around a single issue in a particular locality, we hope to define
achievable goals that will set a legal and political precedent for change in other areas
of the occupied Palestinian territories as well. Hebron has great significance for the
Israeli settlement movement and any changes on the ground in Hebron will have broad
ramifications throughout the territories.”
take over Shuhada Street, they will move on to the rest of Israel: “By building a
focused campaign around a single issue in a particular locality, we hope to define
achievable goals that will set a legal and political precedent for change in other areas
of the occupied Palestinian territories as well. Hebron has great significance for the
Israeli settlement movement and any changes on the ground in Hebron will have broad
ramifications throughout the territories.”
The Open Shuhada Street protests are a good opportunity to debunk the
myths.
Top Thirteen Myths About Shuhada Street/ King David
Street
Street
1. Shuhada Street / King David Street is not the
center of downtown Hebron, it is the main thoroughfare of the Jewish neighborhoods
located in what the PA calls the “Old Town.” The real center of Hebron is the
area surrounding Ein Sarah Street, which still retains the name of the Matriarch of the
Jewish people who lived in and is buried in the city. An ancient archaeological
site called Ein Sarah, or Sarah’s Spring is located there and is off limits to
Jews.
center of downtown Hebron, it is the main thoroughfare of the Jewish neighborhoods
located in what the PA calls the “Old Town.” The real center of Hebron is the
area surrounding Ein Sarah Street, which still retains the name of the Matriarch of the
Jewish people who lived in and is buried in the city. An ancient archaeological
site called Ein Sarah, or Sarah’s Spring is located there and is off limits to
Jews.
The thriving downtown area contains the Hebron Chamber of Commerce,
a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and the bustling Ibn Rushd Square with the
towering Arab Palestine Shopping Center. Nearby is the 8,000 seat Hussein Bin Ali
Stadium, home of the championship winning Ahli Al-Khaleel
football team.
a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and the bustling Ibn Rushd Square with the
towering Arab Palestine Shopping Center. Nearby is the 8,000 seat Hussein Bin Ali
Stadium, home of the championship winning Ahli Al-Khaleel
football team.
(PHOTO: Ibn Rushd Square in the H1 PA controlled section of
Hebron.)
Hebron.)
2. Shuhada Street / King David Street was not
shut down as a punitive measure following the Dr. Baruch Goldstein shooting incident of
February 1994, but to prevent the violence that erupted after the
incident.
shut down as a punitive measure following the Dr. Baruch Goldstein shooting incident of
February 1994, but to prevent the violence that erupted after the
incident.
The shooting was almost universally condemned by the Jewish world including
the Jewish Community of Hebron, Council of Jewish Settlements in Judea, Samaria and
Gaza, the Israeli government and Jewish leaders around the globe. By contrast, the PA
routinely praises terrorists who murder Jewish civilians as “martyrs” who “fought the
occupation.”
the Jewish Community of Hebron, Council of Jewish Settlements in Judea, Samaria and
Gaza, the Israeli government and Jewish leaders around the globe. By contrast, the PA
routinely praises terrorists who murder Jewish civilians as “martyrs” who “fought the
occupation.”
The Open Shuhada Street group carefully words their press releases to draw a
false parallel between the Goldstein shooting and Israel in general. However, the street
was shut down due to the massive rioting that occurred in the city and throughout the
country resulting in numerous deaths and injuries to both Jews and Arabs. One such
incident was the murder of 80-year-old Sam Eisenstadt of Kfar Saba who was struck
with an axe, in a “revenge attack,” the same day as the Goldstein
incident.
false parallel between the Goldstein shooting and Israel in general. However, the street
was shut down due to the massive rioting that occurred in the city and throughout the
country resulting in numerous deaths and injuries to both Jews and Arabs. One such
incident was the murder of 80-year-old Sam Eisenstadt of Kfar Saba who was struck
with an axe, in a “revenge attack,” the same day as the Goldstein
incident.
Terrorists continued to use Goldstein as a pretext for atrocities such as the
April 1994 bus bombing in Afula on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, that killed
eight civilians and the Hadera bus station suicide bombing a week later that killed six
people.
April 1994 bus bombing in Afula on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, that killed
eight civilians and the Hadera bus station suicide bombing a week later that killed six
people.
The Jewish Community of Hebron unequivocally condemned and still condemns the
Goldstein shooting and is against any acts of vigilantism.
Goldstein shooting and is against any acts of vigilantism.
To give the incident some perspective, although it is considered completely
unjustified in Israel, the Goldstein shooting did not occur in a vacuum but amid a
pressure-cooker atmosphere in a terror-ridden city. It took place during the rise of
Hamas and the unprecedented terrorist attacks throughout the country such as bus
bombings, shooting and stabbings in the wake of the Oslo Accords. This includes the
drive-by shooting death of Hebron locals Mordechai Lapid and his
18-year-old-son Shlomo Lapid on December 6, 1993. The medic that arrived on the scene
that day was none other than Dr. Baruch Goldstein, who was a friend of the family and
tried in vain to save Lapid’s life.
unjustified in Israel, the Goldstein shooting did not occur in a vacuum but amid a
pressure-cooker atmosphere in a terror-ridden city. It took place during the rise of
Hamas and the unprecedented terrorist attacks throughout the country such as bus
bombings, shooting and stabbings in the wake of the Oslo Accords. This includes the
drive-by shooting death of Hebron locals Mordechai Lapid and his
18-year-old-son Shlomo Lapid on December 6, 1993. The medic that arrived on the scene
that day was none other than Dr. Baruch Goldstein, who was a friend of the family and
tried in vain to save Lapid’s life.
This is no excuse for a revenge attack. But one must go back over 20 years to
find any pre-planned deadly terrorist attacks by Israeli residents against PA residents.
In contrast, planned terrorist attacks perpetrated by PA residents against Israelis
happen regularly. PA officials routinely praise such attacks as “acts of resistance”
while any of the lone wolf acts of vandalism Israelis are accused of have been
universally condemned in Israel.
find any pre-planned deadly terrorist attacks by Israeli residents against PA residents.
In contrast, planned terrorist attacks perpetrated by PA residents against Israelis
happen regularly. PA officials routinely praise such attacks as “acts of resistance”
while any of the lone wolf acts of vandalism Israelis are accused of have been
universally condemned in Israel.
3. Shuhada Street / King David Street is not
completely shut down to Arabs, nor is it shut down based on race or religion. Arab
tourists from abroad can freely walk down the street. The section of the street that
goes past Jewish neighborhoods is closed the vehicular and foot traffic from the
Palestinian Authority for security reasons.
completely shut down to Arabs, nor is it shut down based on race or religion. Arab
tourists from abroad can freely walk down the street. The section of the street that
goes past Jewish neighborhoods is closed the vehicular and foot traffic from the
Palestinian Authority for security reasons.
(PHOTO: A sign from a Durban beach in apartheid era South
Africa,1989 stating the area is restricted based on skin color and race. The
situation was quite different from security restrictions for non-Israelis who pose a
terrorist risk in Hebron. Credit: Wiki
Commons.)
Africa,1989 stating the area is restricted based on skin color and race. The
situation was quite different from security restrictions for non-Israelis who pose a
terrorist risk in Hebron. Credit: Wiki
Commons.)
The fact that the Open Shuhada Street protesters snap photos for their
propaganda is proof that they are able to stand in Shuhada Street, or at least in
parts of it, to take the photos in the first place. The metal turnstile checkpoint often
shown as proof of “Israeli apartheid” is how PA residents enter to and from the PA
controlled side of the city. The very fact that the “apartheid” checkpoint exists proves
that they have freedom of access, albeit, after a security check. By contrast the
Israeli residents cannot cross the checkpoint into the PA side of the city, except in
rare pre-arranged visits on special holidays.
propaganda is proof that they are able to stand in Shuhada Street, or at least in
parts of it, to take the photos in the first place. The metal turnstile checkpoint often
shown as proof of “Israeli apartheid” is how PA residents enter to and from the PA
controlled side of the city. The very fact that the “apartheid” checkpoint exists proves
that they have freedom of access, albeit, after a security check. By contrast the
Israeli residents cannot cross the checkpoint into the PA side of the city, except in
rare pre-arranged visits on special holidays.
4. Shuhada Street / King David Street was unsafe
before the restrictions and was the site of numerous terrorist attacks. In 2003, a
terrorist dressed like a typical Israeli yeshiva student crossed onto Shuhada
Street / King David Street from an Arab neighborhood and detonated a bomb next to a
husband and his pregnant wife, killing them. A memorial to the couple, Gadi and Dina Levy hangs on the wall where
they were murdered.
before the restrictions and was the site of numerous terrorist attacks. In 2003, a
terrorist dressed like a typical Israeli yeshiva student crossed onto Shuhada
Street / King David Street from an Arab neighborhood and detonated a bomb next to a
husband and his pregnant wife, killing them. A memorial to the couple, Gadi and Dina Levy hangs on the wall where
they were murdered.
Other attacks that occurred on Shuhada Street / King David Street were the
stabbing of Aharon Gross,
whose killer was able to escape into the crowded street and the Beit Hadassah
ambush that killed six
people. Numerous incidents of harassment, stabbings and other attacks have
taken place as well.
stabbing of Aharon Gross,
whose killer was able to escape into the crowded street and the Beit Hadassah
ambush that killed six
people. Numerous incidents of harassment, stabbings and other attacks have
taken place as well.
5. Shuhada Street / King David Street already
was re-opened
several times, only to be closed again due to repeated terrorist attacks.
Attempts to re-open the street were unsuccessful and resulted in resumed terror. During
the first of these attempted re-openings in 1997, the United States government spent
$2.5 million to renovate the street as part of the Hebron Accords that divided the
city.
was re-opened
several times, only to be closed again due to repeated terrorist attacks.
Attempts to re-open the street were unsuccessful and resulted in resumed terror. During
the first of these attempted re-openings in 1997, the United States government spent
$2.5 million to renovate the street as part of the Hebron Accords that divided the
city.
6. The Jewish Community of Hebron did not ask
for the closure, the Supreme Court did. After years of appeals to the Supreme Court for
a re-opening, it was finally ruled in
2011 that PA traffic on Shuhada Street / King David Street would result in
loss of life. Throughout the court discussions, all involved – including the PA
petitioners – used the term King David Street rather than Shuhada Street. Historically
the Supreme Court has ruled against to the Jewish Community of Hebron in numerous case,
meaning the closure was not a friendly gesture toward the residents, but a life-or-death
necessity.
for the closure, the Supreme Court did. After years of appeals to the Supreme Court for
a re-opening, it was finally ruled in
2011 that PA traffic on Shuhada Street / King David Street would result in
loss of life. Throughout the court discussions, all involved – including the PA
petitioners – used the term King David Street rather than Shuhada Street. Historically
the Supreme Court has ruled against to the Jewish Community of Hebron in numerous case,
meaning the closure was not a friendly gesture toward the residents, but a life-or-death
necessity.
7. PA traffic on Shuhada Street / King
David Street is not mandatory for PA life in the neighborhood. The banning of traffic is
merely a necessary inconvenience, according to the Supreme Court ruling. Despite the
propaganda, PA residents can regularly cross back and forth from the Israeli side into
the PA side of the city, or take side streets. The Israelis however, are restricted to
only 3% of the city. There are quite a few PA residential properties of which the
back windows face Shuhada Street / King David Street with the main entrances in the
Casbah, a bustling marketplace that is off limits to Israelis.
David Street is not mandatory for PA life in the neighborhood. The banning of traffic is
merely a necessary inconvenience, according to the Supreme Court ruling. Despite the
propaganda, PA residents can regularly cross back and forth from the Israeli side into
the PA side of the city, or take side streets. The Israelis however, are restricted to
only 3% of the city. There are quite a few PA residential properties of which the
back windows face Shuhada Street / King David Street with the main entrances in the
Casbah, a bustling marketplace that is off limits to Israelis.
The Casbah, an area that resembles the Arab shuk in the Muslim quarter of
Jerusalem, is located parallel to Shuhada Street / King David Street. Jewish residents
are permitted to walk through the Casbah only on special occasions. The Casbah was
formerly part of the Jewish neighborhoods of Hebron prior to the 1929 massacre in which Jihadists
murdered 67 Jewish civilians. Literature of the time referred to it as the “Jewish
ghetto,” the only neighborhood in pre-state Israel referred to as such. It was home to
“Kabbalists corner” and other historic Jewish buildings, until all Jews were forced out
during the British Mandate period.
Jerusalem, is located parallel to Shuhada Street / King David Street. Jewish residents
are permitted to walk through the Casbah only on special occasions. The Casbah was
formerly part of the Jewish neighborhoods of Hebron prior to the 1929 massacre in which Jihadists
murdered 67 Jewish civilians. Literature of the time referred to it as the “Jewish
ghetto,” the only neighborhood in pre-state Israel referred to as such. It was home to
“Kabbalists corner” and other historic Jewish buildings, until all Jews were forced out
during the British Mandate period.
8. There are no actual signs naming the street
“Shuhada Street.” All signs, Google map apps, and GPS locations are marked King
David Street. Even the Arab petitioners demanding its opening in the Supreme Court
case referred to it by its proper Hebrew name, Rehov David Hamelech, named for the
Jewish king who made it the first capital city and ruled from Hebron for seven and a
half years.
“Shuhada Street.” All signs, Google map apps, and GPS locations are marked King
David Street. Even the Arab petitioners demanding its opening in the Supreme Court
case referred to it by its proper Hebrew name, Rehov David Hamelech, named for the
Jewish king who made it the first capital city and ruled from Hebron for seven and a
half years.
The word “shuhada” in Arabic comes from the word shahid, which according to
Wikipedia, “originates from the Quranic Arabic word meaning ‘witness’ and is also
used to denote a martyr. It is used as a honorific for Muslims who have died fulfilling
a religious commandment, especially those who die waging jihad, or historically in the
military expansion of Islam.”
Wikipedia, “originates from the Quranic Arabic word meaning ‘witness’ and is also
used to denote a martyr. It is used as a honorific for Muslims who have died fulfilling
a religious commandment, especially those who die waging jihad, or historically in the
military expansion of Islam.”
9. The movement to open Shuhada Street / King
David Street to PA traffic is the first phase in the goal to remove all Jews from Hebron
as evidence from the Open Shuhada Street banners and literature. Jewish buildings such
as Beit Hadassah and the Avraham Avinu synagogue which date back hundreds of
years are referred to as “illegal settlements.” The next phase for the Youth
Against Settlements movement is to replace Israel with a State of Palestine, as evidence
by their signs and logos.
David Street to PA traffic is the first phase in the goal to remove all Jews from Hebron
as evidence from the Open Shuhada Street banners and literature. Jewish buildings such
as Beit Hadassah and the Avraham Avinu synagogue which date back hundreds of
years are referred to as “illegal settlements.” The next phase for the Youth
Against Settlements movement is to replace Israel with a State of Palestine, as evidence
by their signs and logos.
10. Jewish residents and visitors are restricted
from accessing the largest hall in the Tomb of Machpela, the Isaac and Rebecca Hall,
except on special occasions. The holy site, which houses the underground caves where the
Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried, was off limits to non-Muslims for
700 years starting with the Mameluke invasion. Many PA leaders have openly expressed
their desire to once again ban all non-Muslims from the site if they were able to do
so.
from accessing the largest hall in the Tomb of Machpela, the Isaac and Rebecca Hall,
except on special occasions. The holy site, which houses the underground caves where the
Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried, was off limits to non-Muslims for
700 years starting with the Mameluke invasion. Many PA leaders have openly expressed
their desire to once again ban all non-Muslims from the site if they were able to do
so.
11. The Open Shuhada Street movement ignores the
fact that most places in Hebron are closed to Jews including Jewish holy sites. There
are four holy sites in Palestinian Authority controlled Hebron which are inaccessible to
Jews, despite a promise of open access in the Hebron Accords. They are: the Elonei Mamre Archaeological
Site, the Oak of
Mamre, the Tomb of Otniel
Ben Knaz and Ein
Sarah / Sarah’s Spring.
fact that most places in Hebron are closed to Jews including Jewish holy sites. There
are four holy sites in Palestinian Authority controlled Hebron which are inaccessible to
Jews, despite a promise of open access in the Hebron Accords. They are: the Elonei Mamre Archaeological
Site, the Oak of
Mamre, the Tomb of Otniel
Ben Knaz and Ein
Sarah / Sarah’s Spring.
12. The Israeli Defense Forces not only
protect the Jewish residents, but the Arab residents as well who do not want any
part of the Jihadist conflict but just want to live normal lives. The internecine feuds
between various local clans and terrorist groups have taken more lives than any other
factor. Many Arab residents are all too happy to have the law and order of the IDF as
opposed to the totalitarian fundamentalism of a Hamas government or the corruption and
nepotism of the Palestinian Authority, yet many are afraid to voice their opinion in
public.
protect the Jewish residents, but the Arab residents as well who do not want any
part of the Jihadist conflict but just want to live normal lives. The internecine feuds
between various local clans and terrorist groups have taken more lives than any other
factor. Many Arab residents are all too happy to have the law and order of the IDF as
opposed to the totalitarian fundamentalism of a Hamas government or the corruption and
nepotism of the Palestinian Authority, yet many are afraid to voice their opinion in
public.
13. The closure of certain areas helps prevent
the spread of terrorism to the rest of Israel. Over 700,000 tourists visit Hebron every
year with the main attraction being the Tomb of Machpela, located at the foot of King
David Street. Today they can visit in relative peace because of the IDF
presence.
the spread of terrorism to the rest of Israel. Over 700,000 tourists visit Hebron every
year with the main attraction being the Tomb of Machpela, located at the foot of King
David Street. Today they can visit in relative peace because of the IDF
presence.
The interest in Hebron grows every year with elected officials from Israel
and abroad, religious leaders, actors and musicians, tour groups and people interested
in the genealogy of the Jewish story. It will continue to grow despite the slander of
the well-funded and media savvy trouble makers that seek to tear down rather then
celebrate the heritage of monotheism.
and abroad, religious leaders, actors and musicians, tour groups and people interested
in the genealogy of the Jewish story. It will continue to grow despite the slander of
the well-funded and media savvy trouble makers that seek to tear down rather then
celebrate the heritage of monotheism.
NOTES:
* The
Real Shame of Shuhada Street – CAMERA
Real Shame of Shuhada Street – CAMERA
To visit Hebron contact us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* The True History of Shuhada
Street
* Kentucky Fried Chicken in
Hebron – The Region’s Most Economically Advanced City
* Full text and videos – 1997
Hebron Accords divide the city
* The True History of Shuhada
Street
* Kentucky Fried Chicken in
Hebron – The Region’s Most Economically Advanced City
* Full text and videos – 1997
Hebron Accords divide the city
