(Photo: PM Netanyahu at the United Nations. Credit: United
Nations.)
Nations.)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech
at the United Nations General Assembly in New York was covered by media
outlets around the world. In his address of September 22, 2016, he referenced
Hebron:
at the United Nations General Assembly in New York was covered by media
outlets around the world. In his address of September 22, 2016, he referenced
Hebron:
“President [Mahmoud] Abbas just attacked from this podium the
Balfour Declaration. He’s preparing a lawsuit against Britain for that declaration from
1917. That’s almost 100 years ago – talk about being stuck in the past. The Palestinians
may just as well sue Iran for the Cyrus Declaration, which enabled the Jews to rebuild
our Temple in Jerusalem 2,500 years ago. Come to think of it, why not a Palestinian
class action suit against Abraham for buying that plot of land in Hebron where the
fathers and mothers of the Jewish people were buried 4,000 years ago? You’re not
laughing. It’s as absurd as that. To sue the British government for the Balfour
Declaration? Is he kidding?”
Balfour Declaration. He’s preparing a lawsuit against Britain for that declaration from
1917. That’s almost 100 years ago – talk about being stuck in the past. The Palestinians
may just as well sue Iran for the Cyrus Declaration, which enabled the Jews to rebuild
our Temple in Jerusalem 2,500 years ago. Come to think of it, why not a Palestinian
class action suit against Abraham for buying that plot of land in Hebron where the
fathers and mothers of the Jewish people were buried 4,000 years ago? You’re not
laughing. It’s as absurd as that. To sue the British government for the Balfour
Declaration? Is he kidding?”
PM Netanyahu was referencing the Palestinian Authority leader’s address to
the UN just hours before in which he called for an apology from the British government
for the historical document.
the UN just hours before in which he called for an apology from the British government
for the historical document.
In July, the PA called
for legal action with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad
al-Maliki stating:
for legal action with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad
al-Maliki stating:
“With the coming of this painful anniversary, the passing of
approximately 100 years since the historic massacre of our land and our people’s fates,
and with the continuation of this catastrophe without a resolution, we call on the
secretariat general of the Arab League to support us in preparing a legal file to raise
against the British government for issuing the Balfour Declaration and thereafter
implementing it as a mandatory authority.”
approximately 100 years since the historic massacre of our land and our people’s fates,
and with the continuation of this catastrophe without a resolution, we call on the
secretariat general of the Arab League to support us in preparing a legal file to raise
against the British government for issuing the Balfour Declaration and thereafter
implementing it as a mandatory authority.”
In his recent tenure as Prime Minister, Netanyahu has
expressed support for the Jewish Community of Hebron. In 2013, just before the annual
Parshat Chayei Sarah Shabbat celebration, the Prime Minister sent a
letter of support to the community.
expressed support for the Jewish Community of Hebron. In 2013, just before the annual
Parshat Chayei Sarah Shabbat celebration, the Prime Minister sent a
letter of support to the community.
Residents of Hebron and Dear Guests,
The roots of the existence of the Nation of Israel are inherent in
the stories of the Fathers of the Nation about whom we read in the Torah during these
weeks.
the stories of the Fathers of the Nation about whom we read in the Torah during these
weeks.
Abraham made his home in Hebron, one of the most ancient cities in
the Land of Israel, thousands of years ago, paying full price for the Cave of Machpela
and its surrounding. This acquisition was the beginning of the eternal bond forged
between out nation and its Birthplace. Hebron also became the burial place of our
Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It is in Hebron that David established his monarchy, even
before Jerualem.
the Land of Israel, thousands of years ago, paying full price for the Cave of Machpela
and its surrounding. This acquisition was the beginning of the eternal bond forged
between out nation and its Birthplace. Hebron also became the burial place of our
Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It is in Hebron that David established his monarchy, even
before Jerualem.
Generations upon generations of Jews clung tenaciously to Hebron,
even when the Land of Israel was occupied by foreigners.
even when the Land of Israel was occupied by foreigners.
Our deep bond to Hebron — in permanent and temporary settlement, as
the destination for Jewish pilgrims and in the longing of prayer — was never
disconnected and never ended. Rabbi Yehudah Halevi, one of the great Jewish poets of
Spain, wrote the following lines about Hebron in his liturgical poem, “Zion do you not
ask: “I will fall to my face upon your land, and I will greatly desire your rocks and I
will marvel at Hebron, the choicest of your burial sites.”
the destination for Jewish pilgrims and in the longing of prayer — was never
disconnected and never ended. Rabbi Yehudah Halevi, one of the great Jewish poets of
Spain, wrote the following lines about Hebron in his liturgical poem, “Zion do you not
ask: “I will fall to my face upon your land, and I will greatly desire your rocks and I
will marvel at Hebron, the choicest of your burial sites.”
Even the bloody pogrom perpetrated against the Jews of Hebron in
1929, 85 years ago, did not daunt the community’s survivors. They aspired to return to
their city and to rebuild its ruins.
1929, 85 years ago, did not daunt the community’s survivors. They aspired to return to
their city and to rebuild its ruins.
The renewal of the Jewish Community of Hebron after the Six Day War
forged another link in the generations-long chain. Now the Jews were no longer forced to
stop, humiliated, at the Seventh Step that leads to the Cave of Machpela and to abstain
themselves from prayer at the holy site. The adherence of the children to the City of
the Forefathers withstood the test of exile. The rebirth of the flourishing Jewish
community in Hebron is the proof. It is no coincidence that the government of Israel
included the Cave of Machpela in it list of National Heritage Sites. Hebron, like
Jerusalem, has the power to unite Israel. The name “Hebron” mean ‘connection’ and
expresses the strong and meaningful connection between us and our neighborly relations
with the rest of the residents of the city.
forged another link in the generations-long chain. Now the Jews were no longer forced to
stop, humiliated, at the Seventh Step that leads to the Cave of Machpela and to abstain
themselves from prayer at the holy site. The adherence of the children to the City of
the Forefathers withstood the test of exile. The rebirth of the flourishing Jewish
community in Hebron is the proof. It is no coincidence that the government of Israel
included the Cave of Machpela in it list of National Heritage Sites. Hebron, like
Jerusalem, has the power to unite Israel. The name “Hebron” mean ‘connection’ and
expresses the strong and meaningful connection between us and our neighborly relations
with the rest of the residents of the city.
My wish for you is that “Shabbat Hebron,’ with its thousands of
participants, will deepen our affinity to the City of the Forefathers, to our Land and
to our heritage.
participants, will deepen our affinity to the City of the Forefathers, to our Land and
to our heritage.
Benyamin Netanyahu
October 2013
October 2013
To arrange a visit to
Hebron:
Hebron:
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
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
