The Im Tirtzu college student organization has been organizing regular tours
of Hebron and hoped to bring thousands. They aim to at strengthen the
historical national connection to the city in a program “to connect more students
to the history of Hebron and to strengthen each student’s deep connection to the
place.”
of Hebron and hoped to bring thousands. They aim to at strengthen the
historical national connection to the city in a program “to connect more students
to the history of Hebron and to strengthen each student’s deep connection to the
place.”
Tour organizers expect a turnout of 5,000 students throughout the academic
year.
year.
The first tour took place on Thursday, leaving from Bar-Ilan University
on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. According to Im Tirtzu, the tours provides a balancing
point of view in a milieu where radical, anti-Israel groups use tours of the city to
slander and delegitimize Israel. They visited the Tomb of Machpela, King David Street
(also known as Shuhada Street), the ancient Jewish cemetery, the Tel Hevron
archaeological park, the historic Beit Romano building, and the Hebron Heritage
Museum.
on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. According to Im Tirtzu, the tours provides a balancing
point of view in a milieu where radical, anti-Israel groups use tours of the city to
slander and delegitimize Israel. They visited the Tomb of Machpela, King David Street
(also known as Shuhada Street), the ancient Jewish cemetery, the Tel Hevron
archaeological park, the historic Beit Romano building, and the Hebron Heritage
Museum.
The program organizers have discussed potential run-ins with radical
anti-Zionist groups during the tour, concluding that “if students on the tour encounter
foreign journalists, European MPs, or anti-Israel propaganda tours led by radical NGOs,
they will be permitted to provide them with educational materials that expose the
hypocrisy and double standards of the delegitimization campaign against
Israel.”
anti-Zionist groups during the tour, concluding that “if students on the tour encounter
foreign journalists, European MPs, or anti-Israel propaganda tours led by radical NGOs,
they will be permitted to provide them with educational materials that expose the
hypocrisy and double standards of the delegitimization campaign against
Israel.”
“Of course,” the organizers stress, “there must be an emphasis on appropriate
conduct and politeness.”
conduct and politeness.”
The program is expected to run at all the Israeli universities and colleges
with Im Tirtzu groups, including Hebrew University, the Technion, and Tel Aviv,
Ben-Gurion, Bar-Ilan, Haifa, and Ariel universities.
with Im Tirtzu groups, including Hebrew University, the Technion, and Tel Aviv,
Ben-Gurion, Bar-Ilan, Haifa, and Ariel universities.
Spokesman for the Hebron Jewish Community Yishai Fleisher noted that “Hebron
and the Cave of the Patriarchs are at the foundation of the People of Israel and
represent our historical right to the land. It is astonishing that the anti-Zionist
narrative brazenly chooses to rip out these deep historical roots – entrenched in Jewish
consciousness and borne out by archaeological proof – in their slanderous tours of the
city. Apparently, they believe that the Jews and the world have forgotten history, and
so they promote a false narrative depicting Jews as foreigners and as occupiers of their
own country.”
and the Cave of the Patriarchs are at the foundation of the People of Israel and
represent our historical right to the land. It is astonishing that the anti-Zionist
narrative brazenly chooses to rip out these deep historical roots – entrenched in Jewish
consciousness and borne out by archaeological proof – in their slanderous tours of the
city. Apparently, they believe that the Jews and the world have forgotten history, and
so they promote a false narrative depicting Jews as foreigners and as occupiers of their
own country.”
Fleisher expressed his hope that the Im Tirtzu tours will help “thousands of
students to learn the historical truth of Hebron that will strengthen their connection
to the city. They will also learn about the heroic spirit of Hebron that is much-needed
today. In the end, the program will empower the students, the State of Israel’s presence
in Hebron, and the entire Zionist narrative.”
students to learn the historical truth of Hebron that will strengthen their connection
to the city. They will also learn about the heroic spirit of Hebron that is much-needed
today. In the end, the program will empower the students, the State of Israel’s presence
in Hebron, and the entire Zionist narrative.”
Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg has written the leaders of the Jewish Community of
Hebron that “Im Tirtzu recognized that radical organizations are trying to harm one of
the most important historical locations of the People of Israel. Bringing hundreds and
thousands of students to Hebron this year and in upcoming years is the best answer to
all those who are trying to rewrite the history of Israel.”
Hebron that “Im Tirtzu recognized that radical organizations are trying to harm one of
the most important historical locations of the People of Israel. Bringing hundreds and
thousands of students to Hebron this year and in upcoming years is the best answer to
all those who are trying to rewrite the history of Israel.”
“These tours,” Peleg continued, “will ensure that the historical connection
to Hebron will be passed on to the next generation of Israelis who will see with their
own eyes what’s happening in the city and will learn about the lies perpetrated by
radical organizations.”
to Hebron will be passed on to the next generation of Israelis who will see with their
own eyes what’s happening in the city and will learn about the lies perpetrated by
radical organizations.”
Peleg expressed his commitment that Im Tirtzu would help keep Hebron at the
heart of the Israeli consensus “despite the efforts of foreign-agent organizations.”
Noting that Jewish history in Israel began in Hebron, with the purchase of the Cave of
the Patriarchs some 3,500 years ago, Peleg promised that Im Tirtzu would help “the
future of Israel continue to prosper in Hebron.”
heart of the Israeli consensus “despite the efforts of foreign-agent organizations.”
Noting that Jewish history in Israel began in Hebron, with the purchase of the Cave of
the Patriarchs some 3,500 years ago, Peleg promised that Im Tirtzu would help “the
future of Israel continue to prosper in Hebron.”
Credit: JNi.Media. A version of this article appeared in the Jewish
Press.
Press.
