Statement from Noam Arnon, spokesman, The Jewish
Community of Hebron, August, 2016.
The American State Department’s condemnation of the building plans of Jewish
homes in Hebron is nothing less then racist discrimination against Jews.
The Jewish community of Hebron categorically rejects these statements, just as
we reject anti-Jewish racism globally. It is unthinkable that the world’s leading
democracy would object to Jewish people building in their own properties
in Hebron.
The ancient Jewish community of Hebron was destroyed by Jihadist riots in 1929 –
could it be that the US State Department wishes the set the result of those riots as
official policy? We call on all lovers of democracy, justice, and human rights, in the
US and around the world, to raise a voice of protest against the US State Department’s
unacceptable statements, and to, conversely, insure the basic human rights of Jews in
the city of the mothers and fathers of Jewish peoplehood.
Furthermore, the Jewish community of Hebron prays that the government of
Israel will not get frightened or discouraged by the bullying and incitement coming from
various quarters, and will stand strong on its decision and willingness to allow Jewish
building in Hebron today (as was allowed even under British and Turkish rule). We
thank the State of Israel for their courage in the small, but important,
step.
Community of Hebron, August, 2016.
The American State Department’s condemnation of the building plans of Jewish
homes in Hebron is nothing less then racist discrimination against Jews.
The Jewish community of Hebron categorically rejects these statements, just as
we reject anti-Jewish racism globally. It is unthinkable that the world’s leading
democracy would object to Jewish people building in their own properties
in Hebron.
The ancient Jewish community of Hebron was destroyed by Jihadist riots in 1929 –
could it be that the US State Department wishes the set the result of those riots as
official policy? We call on all lovers of democracy, justice, and human rights, in the
US and around the world, to raise a voice of protest against the US State Department’s
unacceptable statements, and to, conversely, insure the basic human rights of Jews in
the city of the mothers and fathers of Jewish peoplehood.
Furthermore, the Jewish community of Hebron prays that the government of
Israel will not get frightened or discouraged by the bullying and incitement coming from
various quarters, and will stand strong on its decision and willingness to allow Jewish
building in Hebron today (as was allowed even under British and Turkish rule). We
thank the State of Israel for their courage in the small, but important,
step.
Source notes:
TEXT OF STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING REGARDING HEBRON, August 23,
2016
Source: US State
Department
Department
Video: https://youtu.be/PG5WIR8PC98?t=44m11s
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
QUESTION: Mark, I wonder if you have any comment. The Israelis –
according to the Israeli press, Israel is planning, for the first time in ten years, to
expand the Jewish settlement in Hebron. First of all, are you aware of this report? And
second, do you have a comment on this?
MR. TONER: Well, we have seen those reports, Said, that the Israelis are
considering – plan to build homes for Israeli settlers in a military compound in Hebron.
Certainly if these reports are true, it would appear to be an effort to expand civilian
Israeli settlement in the city of Hebron, and that would represent a deeply concerning
step of settlement expansions – settlement expansion, rather, on land that is at least
partially owned by the Palestinians. As you know, we strongly oppose all settlement
activity, which is corrosive to the cause of peace. And we’ve said repeatedly such moves
are not consistent with Israel’s stated desire to achieve a two-state
solution.
QUESTION: And I just – if I could follow up – also Israel issued orders also in
Hebron, in the hills of Hebron, for the – to demolish seven homes and to throw out seven
families and so on, in a town that is actually not – it’s a small town under the – I
think, under the authority of the Palestinian Authority. So do you have any comment on
that?
MR. TONER: You’re talking about, I think, Hebron hills.
QUESTION: Yes, the Hebron hills. Yes.
MR. TONER: We’re concerned by the accelerated rate of demolitions undertaken by
Israeli authorities that continue, not just specifically in Hebron hills, but, frankly,
throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. And we raise those concerns with Israeli
authorities.
according to the Israeli press, Israel is planning, for the first time in ten years, to
expand the Jewish settlement in Hebron. First of all, are you aware of this report? And
second, do you have a comment on this?
MR. TONER: Well, we have seen those reports, Said, that the Israelis are
considering – plan to build homes for Israeli settlers in a military compound in Hebron.
Certainly if these reports are true, it would appear to be an effort to expand civilian
Israeli settlement in the city of Hebron, and that would represent a deeply concerning
step of settlement expansions – settlement expansion, rather, on land that is at least
partially owned by the Palestinians. As you know, we strongly oppose all settlement
activity, which is corrosive to the cause of peace. And we’ve said repeatedly such moves
are not consistent with Israel’s stated desire to achieve a two-state
solution.
QUESTION: And I just – if I could follow up – also Israel issued orders also in
Hebron, in the hills of Hebron, for the – to demolish seven homes and to throw out seven
families and so on, in a town that is actually not – it’s a small town under the – I
think, under the authority of the Palestinian Authority. So do you have any comment on
that?
MR. TONER: You’re talking about, I think, Hebron hills.
QUESTION: Yes, the Hebron hills. Yes.
MR. TONER: We’re concerned by the accelerated rate of demolitions undertaken by
Israeli authorities that continue, not just specifically in Hebron hills, but, frankly,
throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem. And we raise those concerns with Israeli
authorities.
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
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* United States Senator Mike Lee
Visits Hebron
* US Congress Members Inspired
During Visit to Hebron
* Israeli Leaders Plan Business,
Medical Ties with Arabs in Hebron Region
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
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* United States Senator Mike Lee
Visits Hebron
* US Congress Members Inspired
During Visit to Hebron
* Israeli Leaders Plan Business,
Medical Ties with Arabs in Hebron Region
