Israel seizes power over occupied West Bank mosque from Palestinians
Summary
Israel has taken control of planning and construction powers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank, from the Palestinian authorities. This action changes parts of an agreement from the 1990s that had given Palestinians some control over the city’s planning.Key Facts
- Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the cancellation of parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement regarding planning and construction at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
- The original Hebron Agreement gave Palestinians control over civil matters like planning in most of Hebron, while Israel held security control over certain areas including the mosque.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the overall Hebron Agreement has not been canceled, only planning authority at Jewish sites has changed due to lack of cooperation from the Palestinian side.
- The Palestinian Authority condemned Israel’s move as illegal and demanded international intervention to stop it.
- Hebron’s mayor said changing the agreement without mutual consent violates political arrangements and could have serious consequences.
- The Ibrahimi Mosque, also called the Tomb of the Patriarchs by Jewish people, is a site of shared religious importance and tension.
- Palestine listed Hebron’s Old City and the mosque as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and places it in danger.
- Israeli and Palestinian groups see this action as a step toward increased Israeli control of the West Bank.
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