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.

 

 

* Warpath Against New Hebron Jewish Housing

* US ‘deeply concerned’ by initial Hebron expansion plan

* Groups blast Hevron construction plan

 

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?