Israel Approves Expansion of Jewish School in Hebron

Israel granted approval on Wednesday to expand a Jewish school for settlers in the center of Hebron, a Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank. This decision is part of a construction push criticized by Palestinians as a violation of a longstanding agreement.

Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, unveiled the plans following his decision to cancel an agreement that previously allowed the Palestinian municipality to oversee certain planning around Hebron’s historic area. This area includes the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians, which is under Israeli security control. It houses over 1,000 Jewish settlers amidst tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The 1997 Hebron Agreement dictates that while Israeli troops are stationed in the area, construction typically requires Palestinian municipality approval, especially near the shrine. The city’s religious significance has attracted Israeli settlers focused on expanding their presence.

Smotrich, who opposes the idea of Palestinian statehood, confirmed approval for constructing a 10,000 square foot building for a Jewish school in the historic area. He stated, “We are continuing to build the Land of Israel in practice and to implement practical sovereignty in the settlements.”

Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist from Hebron, expressed concern that Israel’s actions could undermine parts of the Hebron Agreement, denying Palestinians basic services. He criticized these moves as efforts to pressure Palestinians to leave. Amro described the situation as “ethnic cleansing” and expressed sorrow over losing Palestinian aspirations for a non-violent, peaceful life.