INDEPTH: MIDDLE EAST
Hebron
CBC News Online | Jan. 5, 2006
In the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, mentioning Hebron won't get you much reaction in most of the world. But less than a decade earlier, the largest city on the West Bank seemed to be at the heart of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Hebron – which sits 32 kilometres south of Jerusalem – has 130,000 Palestinians and only about 500 Jews. The Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba, on the outskirts, has a population of 5,000. Even compared to the historic land around it, Hebron is steeped in religious significance.
Abraham, the shared father of Muslims and Jews is, according to tradition, buried there in the Tomb of the Patriarchs along with his wife Sarah, and the other Jewish patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, and their wives, Rebecca, and Leah. Abraham's sharing by the two religions is reflected in the names "Hebron" and its Arabic counterpart, "Al-Khalil", which both derive from the word "friend".
Under the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, negotiated in September 1993, Israel agreed to transfer some powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority within five years. In 1997, Hebron would be divided into two sectors: the largest would become the first major centre in the West Bank to be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
Jews had lived in Hebron for centuries until 1929, when Arab riots killed 67 Jews and hundreds more fled. After 1967, a Jewish presence was restored. It was in violent opposition to any Hebron agreement that, in February, 1994 Jewish settler Baruch Goldstein killed 29 Palestinian worshipers in the Tomb of the Patriarchs before survivors beat him to death.
The road to the Hebron agreement wasn't easy.
CHRONOLOGY
1996: Events Leading Up to the Hebron Accord:
June 18 Benjamin Netanyahu takes office and promises to promote "peace with security" with Israel's Arab neighbours. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat meets with Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy in Gaza. It is in first high-level meeting since Netanyahu took office.
Aug. 2 Netanyahu infuriates Palestinians by lifting a four-year freeze on expansion of Jewish settlements on the West Bank. The previous government had frozen expansion of settlements.
Aug. 9 Israel says there will be no progress on peace moves until Palestinian Authority shuts offices in Arab East Jerusalem.
Aug. 27 Israel hoists a bulldozer over Jerusalem's Old City wall and demolishes a Palestinian community centre. The Israelis say the center was built without a permit.
Aug. 28 Arafat says Israel has declared war on Palestinians by expanding the settlements.
Sept. 1 Israeli and Palestinian negotiators begin marathon talks with Norwegian mediation aimed at scheduling a Netanyahu-Arafat meeting.
Sept.4 Netanyahu and Arafat hold first summit, at Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza.
Sept. 24 Violence explodes in Israel and the West Bank after Israel opens a tunnel near the Western ("Wailing") Wall and the al-Aqsa Mosque. That move unleashes Palestinian frustration with the slow pace of the peace process with Israel. Each side blames the other for starting the violence
Sept. 29 U.S. President Bill Clinton invites Netanyahu, Arafat, Jordan's King Hussein and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to a White House summit
Sept. 30 Netanyahu flies to Washington. He promises nonstop talks after the summit on implementing the delayed Israeli troop redeployment in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Oct. 1 Arafat, King Hussein and Netanyahu begin meetings with President Clinton and U.S. officials. Mubarak declines to attend.
Oct. 2 The summit ends with an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians to keep talking. Israeli officials say the summit was a success; Palestinians call it a failure.
Oct. 16 Palestinian and Israeli negotiators in Taba, Egypt resume formal talks over the future of Hebron.
Nov. 30 Arafat says Israeli-Palestinian talks on self-rule in the Hebron have made no progress.
Dec. 3 Israel announces plans to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Dec. 12 Israel closes off the West Bank town of Ramallah after a drive-by shooting, apparently by a Palestinian terror group.
Dec. 14 Arafat calls Israel's decision to build more settlements in the West Bank "a declaration of war" on the peace process.
Dec. 21 U.S. negotiator Dennis Ross flies to the Mideast to launch another round of talks.
Dec. 24 Arafat and Netanyahu meet face-to-face for the first time in months, and Ross emerges from meetings to say that progress was made, but he adds a deal on Hebron will still take more meetings.
1997
Jan. 14 Israelis and Palestinians reach an agreement on the Hebron issue. Benjamin Netanyahu and Yasser Arafat meet at Erez Crossing, on the border between Israel and Gaza to finalize the deal.
Jan.15 The morning after the text is initialed, Israeli and Palestinian officials disagree on what the implementation agreement really means.
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN AGREEMENT ON HEBRON
Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron
In accordance with the provisions of the Interim Agreement and
in particular of Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement,
both Parties have agreed on this Protocol for the implementation of
the redeployment in Hebron.
Security Arrangements Regarding Redeployment in Hebron
1. Redeployment in Hebron
The redeployment of Israeli Military Forces in Hebron will be
carried out in accordance with the Interim Agreement and this
Protocol. This redeployment will be completed not later than 10
days from the signing of this Protocol. During these 10 days both
sides will exert every possible effort to prevent friction and any
action that would prevent the redeployment. This redeployment shall
constitute full implementation of the provisions of the Interim
Agreement with regard to the City of Hebron unless otherwise
provided for in Article VII of Annex I to the Interim Agreement.
2. Security Powers and Responsibilities
a. (1) The Palestinian Police will assume responsibilities in
Area H-1 similar to those in other cities in the West Bank; and
(2) Israel will retain all powers and responsibilities for
internal security and public order in Area H-2. In addition, Israel
will continue to carry the responsibility for overall security of
Israelis.
b. In this context -- both sides reaffirm their commitment to
honor the relevant security provisions of the Interim Agreement,
including the provisions regarding -- Arrangements for Security and
Public Order (Article XII of the Interim Agreement); Prevention of
Hostile Acts (Article XV of the Interim Agreement); Security Policy
for the Prevention of Terrorism and Violence (Article II of Annex I
to the Interim Agreement); Guidelines for Hebron (Article VII of
Annex I to the Interim Agreement); and Rules of Conduct in Mutual
Security Matters (Article XI of Annex I to the Interim Agreement).
3. Agreed Security Arrangements
a. With a view to ensuring mutual security and stability in the
City of Hebron, special security arrangements will apply adjacent
to the areas under the security responsibility of Israel, in Area
H-1, in the area between the Palestinian Police checkpoints
delineated on the map attached to this Protocol as Appendix 1
(hereinafter referred to as "the attached map") and the areas
under the security responsibility of Israel.
b. The purpose of the above mentioned checkpoints will be to
enable the Palestinian police, exercising their responsibilities
under the Interim Agreement, to prevent entry of armed persons and
demonstrators or other people threatening security and public
order, into the above mentioned area.
4. Joint Security Measures
a. The DCO will establish a sub-office in the City of Hebron as
indicated on the attached map.
b. Joint Mobile Units will operate in Area H-2 to handle
incidents that involve Palestinians only. The JMU movement will be
detailed on the attached map. The DCO will coordinate the JMU
movement and activity.
c. As part of the security arrangements in the area adjacent to
the areas under the security responsibility of Israel, as defined
above, JMU will be operating in this area, with special focus on
the following places:
- Abu Sneinah
- Harat A-Sheikh
- Sha'aba
- The high ground overlooking new Route No. 35
d. Two Joint Patrols will function in Area H-1:
- a Joint Patrol which will operate on the road from Ras e-Jura
to the north of the Dura junction via E-Salaam Road, as indicated
on the attached map; and
- a Joint Patrol which will operate on existing Route No. 35,
including the eastern part of existing Route No. 35, as indicated
on the attached map.
e. The Palestinian and Israeli side of the JMUs in the City of
Hebron will be armed with equivalent types of weapons (Mini-Ingram
submachineguns for the Palestinian side and short M16s for the
Israeli side).
f. With a view to dealing with the special security situation in
the City of Hebron, a Joint Coordination Center (hereinafter the
"JCC"), headed by senior officers of both sides, will be
established in the DCO at Har Manoah/Jabel Manoah. The purpose of
the JCC will be to coordinate the joint security measures in the
City of Hebron. The JCC will be guided by all the relevant
provisions of the Interim Agreement, including Annex 1 and this
Protocol. In this context, each side will notify the JCC of
demonstrations and actions taken in respect of such demonstrations,
and of any security activity, close to the areas under the
responsibility of the other side, including in the area defined in
Article 3(a) above. The JCC shall be informed of activities in
accordance with Article 5(d)(3) of this Protocol.
5. The Palestinian Police
a. Palestinian police stations or posts will be established in
Area H-1, manned by a total of up to 400 policemen, equipped with
20 vehicles and armed with 200 pistols, and 100 rifles for the
protection of the police stations.
b. Four designated Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) will be
established and stationed in Area H-1, one in each of the police
stations, as delineated on the attached map. The main task of the
RRTs will be to handle special security cases. Each RRT shall be
comprised of up to 16 members.
c. The above mentioned rifles will be designated for the
exclusive use of the RRTs, to handle special cases.
d. (1) The Palestinian Police shall Operate freely in area H-1.
(2) Activities of the RRTs armed with rifles in the Agreed
Adjacent Area, as defined in Appendix 2, shall require the
agreement of the JCC.
(3) The RRTs will use the rifles in the rest of area H-1 to
fulfill their above mentioned tasks.
e. The Palestinian Police will ensure that all Palestinian
policemen, prior to their deployment in the City of Hebron, will
pass a security check in order to verify their suitability for
service, taking into account the sensitivity of the area.
6. Holy sites
a. Paragraph 2 and 3(a) at article 32 of Appendix 1 to Annex III
of the Interim Agreement will be applicable to the following Holy
Sites in area H-1:
- The Cave of Othniel Ben Knaz / El-Khalil;
- Elonei Mamre / Haram Er-Rameh;
- Eshel Avraham / Balotat Ibrahim; and
- Maayan Sarah / Ein Sarah.
b. The Palestinian Police will be responsible for protection of
the above Jewish Holy Sites. Without derogating from the above
responsibility of the Palestinian Police, visits to the above Holy
Sites by worshipers of other visitors shall be accompanied by a
Joint Mobile Unit, which will ensure free, unimpeded and secure
access to the Holy Sites, as well as their peaceful use.
7. Normalization of Life in the Old City
a. Both sides reiterate their commitment to maintain normal life
throughout the City of Hebron and to prevent any provocation of
friction that may affect the normal life in the city.
b. In the context, both sides are committed to take all steps
and measures necessary for the normalization of life in Hebron,
including:
- The wholesale market -- Hasbahe -- will be opened as a retail
market in which goods will be sold directly to consumers from
within the existing shops.
- The movement of vehicles on the Shuhada Road will be
gradually returned, within 4 months, to the same situation which
existed prior to February 1994.
8. The Imara (Israeli army headquarters)
The Imara will be turned over to the Palestinian side upon the
completion of the redeployment and will become the headquarters of
the Palestinian Police in the City of Hebron.
9. City of Hebron
Both sides reiterate their commitment to the unity of the City
of Hebron, and their understanding that the division of security
responsibility will not divide the city. In this context, and
without derogating from the security powers and responsibilities of
either side, both sides share the mutual goal that movement of
people, goods and vehicles within and in and out of the city will
be smooth and normal, without obstacles or barriers.
Civil Arrangements Regarding the Redeployment in Hebron
10. Transfer of Civil Powers and Responsibilities
a. The transfer of civil powers and responsibilities that have
yet to be transferred to the Palestinian side in the city of Hebron
(12 spheres) in accordance with Article VII of Annex I to the
Interim Agreement shall be conducted concurrently with the
beginning of the redeployment of Israeli military forces in Hebron.
b. In Area H-2, the civil powers and responsibilities will be
transferred to the Palestinian side, except for those relating to
Israelis and their property, which shall continue to be exercised
by the Israeli Military Government.
11. Planning Zoning and Building
a. The two parties are equally committed to preserve and protect
the historic character of the city in a way which does not harm or
change that character in any part of the city.
b. The Palestinian side has informed the Israeli side that in
exercising its powers and responsibilities, taking into account the
existing municipal regulations, it has undertaken to implement the
following provisions:
- Proposed construction of buildings above two floors (6
meters) within 50 meters of external boundaries of the locations
specified in the list attached to this Protocol as Appendix 3
(hereinafter referred to as "the attached list") will be
coordinated through the DCL.
- Proposed construction of buildings above three floors (9
meters) between 50 and 100 meters of the external boundaries of the
locations specified in the attached list will be coordinated
through the DCL.
- Proposed construction of non-residential, non commercial
buildings within 100 meters of the external boundaries of the
locations specified in the attached list are designed for uses that
may adversely affect the environment (such as industrial factors)
or buildings and institutions in which more than 50 persons are
expected to gather together will be coordinated through the DCL.
- Proposed construction of buildings above two floors (six
meters) within 50 meters from each side of the road specified in
the attached list will be coordinated through the DCL.
- The necessary enforcement measures will be taken to ensure
compliance on the ground with the preceding provisions.
- This Article does not apply to existing buildings or to new
construction or renovation for which fully approved permits were
issued by the Municipality prior to January 15, 1997.
12. Infrastructure
a. The Palestinian side shall inform the Israeli side, through
the DCL, 48 hours in advance of any anticipated activity regarding
infrastructure which may disturb the regular flow of traffic on
roads in Area H-2 or which may affect infrastructure (such as
water, sewage, electricity and communications) serving Area H-2.
b. The Israeli side may request, through the DCL, that the
Municipality carry out works regarding the roads or other
infrastructure required for the well being of the Israelis in Area
H-2. If the Israeli side offers to cover the costs of these works,
the Palestinian side will ensure that these works are carried out
as a top priority.
c. The above does not prejudice the provision of the Interim
Agreement regarding the access to infrastructure, facilities and
installations located in the city of Hebron, such as the
electricity grid.
13. Transportation
The Palestinian side shall have the power to determine bus
stops, traffic arrangements and traffic signalization in the city
of Hebron. Traffic signalization, traffic arrangements and the
location of bus stops in Area H-2 will remain as they are on the
date of the redeployment in Hebron. Any subsequent change in these
arrangements in Area H-2 will be done in cooperation between the
two sides in the transportation sub-committee.
14. Municipal Inspectors
a. In accordance with the paragraph 4.c of Article VI of Annex I
of the Interim Agreement, plainclothes unarmed municipal inspectors
will operate in Area H-2. The number of these inspectors shall not
exceed 50.
b. The inspectors shall carry official identification cards with
a photograph issued by the Municipality.
c. The Palestinian side may request the assistance of the
Israeli Police, through the DCL of Hebron, in order to carry out
its enforcement activities in Area H-2.
15. Location of Offices of the Palestinian Council
The Palestinian side, when operating new offices in Area H-2,
will take into consideration the need to avoid provocation and
friction. Where establishing such offices might affect public order
or security the two sides will cooperate to find a suitable
solution.
16. Municipal Services
In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article VII of Annex I of the
Interim Agreement, municipal services shall be provided regularly
and continuously to all parts of the city of Hebron, at the same
quality and cost. The cost shall be determined by the Palestinian
side with respect to work done and materials consumed, without
discrimination.
Miscellaneous
17. Temporary International Presence
There will be a Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). Both sides will agree on the modalities of the TIPH,
including the number of its members and its area of operation.
18. Annex I
Nothing in this Protocol will derogate from the security powers and responsibilities of either side in accordance with Annex I to
the Interim Agreement.
19. Attached Appendices
The appendices attached to this Protocol shall constitute an integral part hereof.
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