Living under Occupation

            According to the Hebron Protocol, an agreement was signed between Palestinians and Israelis in 1997 and Hebron city was divided into two parts; Hebron 1 (H1 area) under the Palestinian authority, and Hebron 2 (H2 area) under the Israeli security authority.

            The Israeli side, according to the aforementioned Protocol, is supposed to be the only protagonist responsible for ensuring security to both Palestinians and Israelis. Unfortunately, the Israeli Army and police heavily ensure security for settlers and Israelis, but they rarely ensure security for Palestinians even when needed.

            H2 area, the occupied part of Hebron City, has witnessed lately many Israeli violations of local and international laws, such as confiscating lands and properties, sealing stores, closing streets and shops, demolishing houses, and the imposition of long and unjustified curfews and closures.

            During the last Intifada, more than five hundred days of curfew were imposed on H2 area, during which all life aspects were put on hold. For laborers of that area, it means no work during days of curfew and no work after that for long time.

Even whenever there is no curfew, residents of H2 area are facing many obstacles to move and get outside the area. They might be checked by Israeli soldiers on their way out and on their way in, they might be stopped for hours before being released, and they have to be home early, otherwise they might not be able to get back home if there is a curfew.

      All accesses to the Old City have been closed. No vehicles are allowed through, except Israeli forces' and settlers'. In some streets, Palestinians are forbidden even to walk. Most of shops owners in H2 area are not allowed to open their shops and to work there.

    Residents of Hebron Old City are suffering a great deal of pressure and stress because of the Israeli measurements. The social life of people living there is almost completely destroyed. They have been isolated from their relatives and friends.