The settlers are on the move—building new illegal settlements in Hebron. We bring you here an update about the new wave of illegal settlement activity, settler violence and harassment in Hebron, and what we should do to stop it.

New Illegal Settlement Units

While Palestinians fear expulsion and are struggling to remain in their homes, Israeli trucks came moving through the city’s streets with new mobile homes for Israeli settlers. These were placed on stolen Palestinian private land in the Jabal Al-Rahma neighborhood of Tel Rumeida, slightly outside of the Israeli-controlled boundary of “Hebron 2.” The addition of new settlements violates Palestinian sovereignty, encroaches on Palestinian ancestral land and contributes to further restrictions, segregation and violence.

Israeli settlements are illegal under international law in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The beginning of the settlement movement in Hebron consisted of a few Israeli caravan mobile homes placed on private Palestinian land, protected by the Israeli army. The Israeli state facilitated the settling of Hebron by connecting the homes to water and electricity and formally recognizing the settlements.

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Settlements divide and fragment Palestinian lands through gradual closures. All settlements are considered closed military zones to Palestinians, preventing entry and disconnecting Palestinian areas. Settlement facilities and Airbnb or Booking.com listings are all outside reach for Palestinians who are excluded from these space entirely. In Hebron, the closures and segregation advance street by street, yard by yard, leading to an absurd and dehumanizing reality.

Harassment & Invading Palestinian Streets

For the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, the Israeli army entered the Palestinian-controlled area of the city and forced business owners to shut down their stores while soldiers patrolled the streets, interfering with ordinary Palestinian life. Additionally, in Hebron’s old city, Israeli soldiers continue to provide military protection to Israeli settlers invading Palestinian streets, often intimidating and harassing local shopkeepers and preventing them from walking their own streets. Such “tours” are displays of power and the threat of further expansion into Hebron city.

Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was caught on camera throwing rocks at Palestinian windows, an easy example of Israeli soldiers participating in harassment against Palestinians.

Stopping the Wave of Violence

We at Friends of Hebron are dedicated to supporting the local Palestinian community to withstand the occupation of their lives and land and to give them the tools to peacefully fight for their rights.

We distribute cameras to local Palestinians to help them document the human rights violations they face in their daily lives. This footage is shared with lawyers and journalists to show the world and the courts what is really going on.

“The camera is the most trustworthy witness”

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Our work includes a variety of campaigns, actions, educational tours, legal support and more to simultaneously strengthen the resilience of the local Palestinian community while also advocating internationally for Palestinian rights and to spread awareness of the situation. Our work depends on the generous support you and ordinary people who want to see change in the world. Make your contribution today!

Receiving international visitors and delegations

Our team in Hebron was visited by both the German consular representative and the British consulate and Foreign Ministry. We informed them about the situation in Hebron and called on them to act to end European complicity and inaction in Israeli war crimes and human rights violations.

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Friends of Hebron has a U.S.-registered IRS 501(c)3 charity status. Donations are tax-deductible.

During these tense times, please consider supporting our work on the ground in Hebron by donating.

In Memory

We want to take a moment to express our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Awdah Hathaleen of the South Hebron Hills who was murdered in cold blood by Israeli settler Yinon Levy two weeks ago. Awdah was an English teacher, activist and spokesperson for the village Um al-Kheir, and consultant for the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land.

Call on your representative to demand justice for Awdah!

Awdah’s murder came after the U.S. administration lifted the sanctions on Levy who had also been sanctioned by the European Union. We call for his murderer to be held accountable and for sanctions on Israeli settler individuals and organizations to be upheld.

With peace,

Friends of Hebron
Working for Peace and Justice www.hebronfriends.org/

Friends of Hebron has a U.S.-registered IRS 501(c)3 charity status. Donations are tax-deductible.

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