Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE State of Palestine has condemned a decision by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to remove the Hebron Municipality’s authority over parts of the city including the Ibrahimi Mosque, saying the move violates international law and existing agreements.
In a statement, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri said the decision was an attempt to alter the legal, historical and political status of Hebron, home to the Ibrahimi Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as endangered.
“Palestine rejects any attempt to alter the legal, historical and political status quo of Hebron and strongly condemns the decision by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to strip the Hebron Municipality of its authority over parts of the city, including the Ibrahimi Mosque,” he said.
Amb Almassri said Israel has no sovereignty over Hebron or any other Palestinian city.
“The State of Palestine unequivocally reaffirms that Israel holds no sovereignty over Hebron or any Palestinian city. The Palestinian people’s bond with Hebron is grounded in historical rights, international law and an indigenous presence spanning thousands of years,” he said.
He said the violations of agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinians including the 1997 Hebron Protocol could not change the legal status of the city.
“Israel’s violations of signed agreements, including the 1997 Hebron Protocol, do not create new facts on the ground, nor do they diminish Palestinian sovereignty in any form,” said Amb Almassri.
The Palestinian envoy also criticised the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and ongoing settler violence against Palestinian civilians.
He said such actions were contributing to instability and reducing prospects for a peaceful resolution of 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.
