Zionist Settlement in Hebron Area From 1967-2000

This study discusses the Zionist settlement of the Hebron area from 1967 to2000. The Hebron area has: been at the centre of the interest of the Zionist Movement since it was established. It has considered the city of Hebron to be that of their ancestors: and that which must be captured and settled by the Jews. The first group of Jews which arrived at Hebron from Spain was well – treated by the Arab resident there. This treatment continued until the clashes of Al. Burag broke out in 1929. Dozens of Jews were killed in these clashes because they took part in them. A small number of these groups continued to live in Hebron until 1936 when they were evacuated by the British forces. The study consists of five chapters: Chapter One talks about the Hebron area in terms of its geographical location، climate، landscape and the economical، social and political circumstance until the year of2000. Chapter two talks about settlement from the Zionists point of view through handling a few Jewish societies which made an important contribution to the spread of settlement in Palestine. It also investigates the project put forward by the leaders of the Israeli governments- in order to control the Hebron area and other territories the West Bank. An investigation of the Israeli causes behind settling in the Hebron area. Chapter three talks about the Jewish settlement in Hebron before 1967. It also studies the means implemented by the Israeli occupation to seize the Palestinian land in the Hebron area. The Zionist movement considers Hebron to be the second holiest city along with Jerusalem. Though repressive activities, the Jewish settlers forced the Arab residents of Hebron to leave their houses in the old parts of the town. Consequently, the settlers took over the control of these houses and so small Jewish points were formed. Besides، the leaders of the city so that they would set up, a Jewish Hebron, through making a geographical connection among these small settlements, so that they could finally make up a huge settlement inside the city. In the fourth chapter I discussed the settlements which were built up from 1967 until 2000 in terms of site، population، the size of the areas which were seized to build them up and the stages of construction through which these settlement passed. In chapter five I handled the Palestinian resistance against settlement in Hebron. Since 1967 this resistance of all its forms, civil and army, has become stronger، and so formed an obstacle in front of settlement in Hebron and limited its spread in the city. The settlements of Hebron have terribly affected and badly damaged the Palestinian environment as well aspects of the Arab residents in Hebron. These settlements have caused serious harm to the national economy and drawn up a gloomy political future for the area. More over، we should not over look the settler’s offensive attitudes towards the Palestinians in Hebron as they are well – known for their hatred towards the Arabs.