The State of Palestine has strongly condemned a recent decision by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to strip the Hebron Municipality of authority over parts of the occupied city, including the historic Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in danger.
In a statement, Palestinian Ambassador Tamer Almassri rejected what he described as attempts to alter the legal, historical, and political status quo of Hebron, asserting that such measures violate international law and longstanding agreements governing the city.
“Israel holds no sovereignty over Hebron or any Palestinian city,” Ambassador Almassri said. He emphasized that the Palestinian people’s connection to Hebron is rooted in historical rights, international law, and an indigenous presence that spans thousands of years.
Almassri argued that Israeli actions, including what he characterized as violations of the 1997 Hebron Protocol, cannot create new legal realities on the ground or diminish Palestinian sovereignty. The protocol, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, established arrangements for the administration and security of Hebron, one of the most sensitive and contested cities in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The ambassador also denounced the continued expansion of Israeli settlements throughout the occupied West Bank, describing them as illegal under international law. He further condemned ongoing attacks and intimidation against Palestinian civilians by Israeli settlers, claiming that such actions are being encouraged by what he called extremist elements within the Israeli government.
According to Almassri, these developments threaten to further destabilize the region and undermine prospects for a negotiated peace settlement. He warned that continued violations of international law, coupled with what he described as a lack of accountability for Israel, risk escalating tensions and deepening the conflict.
“Israel’s persistent violations of international law and its continued enjoyment of impunity will only deepen instability, fuel further escalation, and gravely undermine any prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region,” he said.
The State of Palestine has called on the international community to uphold its obligations under international law and take concrete steps to ensure accountability. Palestinian authorities urged governments, international organizations, and human rights bodies to act swiftly to protect Palestinian civilians, preserve cultural and religious heritage sites, and safeguard Palestinian land from further encroachment.
The statement reflects growing Palestinian concerns over recent developments in Hebron, a city that holds profound religious, cultural, and political significance for both Palestinians and Israelis and remains a focal point in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
