What is the History and Significance of Hebron in Israel?

Hebron has been an important focus for religious worship for more than two millennia and continues to be an area where tensions between Palestinians and Israelis remain high. Learn more about its history & significance here.

What is the History and Significance of Hebron in Israel?

Hebron is a city located in the southern region of Judea, in the West Bank, 30 km south of Jerusalem. It is home to some 120,000 Palestinians and 600 to 800 Israeli settlers. Another 7,000 Israelis live in the suburb of Qiryat Arba (or Kiryat Arba), on the outskirts of Hebron. It is famous for its grape workshops, limestone, ceramics and blown glass factories.

The old city of Hebron is characterized by its narrow and winding streets, stone houses with flat roofs and ancient bazaars. It is home to the University of Hebron and the Polytechnic University of Palestine. Hebron has a long and rich history that dates back to ancient times. Its name in both Hebrew (Hevron) and Arabic (Al-Khalil) is translated as friend. The Hebrew word Hebron derives from the Hebrew word for friend (who has), a description of Patriarch Abraham.

The Arabic Al-Khalil, literally “the friend”, is almost identical in origin and also refers to Abraham (Ibrahim), whom Muslims similarly describe as the friend of God. Hebron is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world and has been an important focus of religious worship for more than two millennia. In later centuries, Hebron was administered under the rule of successive Muslim dynasties who, with the exception of a period of cross-control in the 12th century, administered the city in succession from its conquest in 635 AD, until the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War. During this period, some important rabbis visited Hebron including Nachmanides (1270) and Ishtori HaParchi (132), who highlighted the old Jewish cemetery there. During the 1967 war, the same day that Israeli troops entered Hebron, the IDF chaplain placed a Torah scroll inside the mosque. This event marked a new era for Hebron as it became a city of conflict between Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers.

In order to maintain stability in this region, international support has been necessary. In 1998, efforts to revitalize the Old City were recognized and praised by the Aga Khan Foundation which helped to focus international attention on this project. The NGO Hostel — Lamar Hostel — is owned by the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC), an organization that aims to provide decent housing to Palestinians living in the Old City. Archaeological findings include a four-chambered house, jars with ancient Hebrew inscriptions with the words “to the king of Hebron” and a section of the city wall. During this period, it was thought that there was no evidence of occupation there from the late Bronze Age (1550-1200 BC).The administration and local services for the Jewish community in Hebron are provided by the Hebron Municipal Committee, created by the Ministries of Defense and Interior, and whose functions are similar to those of ordinary local councils in Israel. Towards the end of this period, a program was designed to revitalize the Old City which was initiated following the transfer of parts of Hebron from Israeli administration to that of Palestinian Authority in 1990s. Sheikh Farid Khader heads up Ja'bari tribe which is made up of about 35,000 people and is considered one of most important tribes in Hebron.

If you want to have a broad opinion about Hebron conflict then it's suggested that you talk to any settler who lives there and let them tell you their side of story. Hebron has been an important focus for religious worship for more than two millennia and continues to be an area where tensions between Palestinians and Israelis remain high. With international support being necessary for stability in this region, it's clear that understanding its history is essential for peace.

Demetrius Pullar
Demetrius Pullar

Wannabe tv ninja. Wannabe entrepreneur. Proud music enthusiast. Avid food trailblazer. Amateur entrepreneur.

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