CPTnet
July 6, 2003
HEBRON: Israeli military halts restoration in Old City
The Israeli army entered the offices of the Hebron
Rehabilitation Committee on July 2, 2003 and issued a military order that
all building, rebuilding and rehabilitation work must cease immediately in
the city, Committee members said.
The Israeli army returned to the offices on July 3 and repeated the
instruction, but failed to produce any written documentation. Committee
members said the soldiers told them that any employees found working would
be arrested.
In a meeting with the Committee, Christian Peacemaker Team learned the work
stoppage affects 300 workers and their families, at a time when
unemployment is extremely high due to repeated curfews in H2, (most of the
Old City area
which is under complete Israeli control.)
The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee also said several main business streets
have been closed down, including Shuhada Street, Haram Street (by the
Ibrahimi Mosque), Old Shallala Street and New Shallala Street. The army
forced all shops on New Shallala Street to close, including the banks,
indefinitely.
Mr. Tawfiq, the committee lawyer, pointed to the irony that, on the same
day they received the stop building order in the Old City, the Israeli High
Court granted permission for the continued building of the Israeli
settlement on Tel Rumeida. The Tel Rumeida construction had previously been
stopped two years ago by the Israeli High Court, due to archaeological
finds under the proposed site. The construction will replace temporary
housing with four permanent settlement buildings.
Donor funding for the restoration of the Old City comes from the Arab
Development Bank and the United Nations Development fund, with specific
donations from Spain and Germany. Descendants of the Jewish community that
lived in Hebron before 1929 have also contributed to the fund.
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