Rioting in Hebron
Settlers break into Hebron homes they say they bought
The homes, near the Cave of the Patriarchs in the ancient city, had been under Palestinian ownership for decades. As clashes between the settlers and Palestinians break out, the IDF is trying to verify the authenticity of the sales documents.
Settlers broke into Palestinian homes near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on Thursday afternoon, claiming that they purchased the properties in secret several days ago.
Clashes between Palestinians and the settlers broke out, with the Palestinians throwing stones at settlers.
IDF troops were using crowd dispersal measures and closed all entrances to the houses in an effort to calm the rioting.
Settlers break into Palestinian homes in Hebron
In addition to those who broke into the houses, settlers brought families with them who were equipped to stay the night, so they could move in today.
Kiryat Arba's mayor presented the IDF with documents confirming the purchase, and the Civil Administration is now working to verify the documents' authenticity.
The settlers said they purchased the houses in secret and decided to move in on Thursday. This is a fairly rare incident, particularly in the current climate, and which is why the move in was kept almost completely secret.
Settlers break into Palestinian apartments in Hebron (Photo: Elisha Ben Kimon)
Several dozen settlers brought with them professional teams to break down the doors and broke into two apartments in the Avraham Avinu neighborhood, which have been under Palestinian ownership for decades.
The purchase and seizure of the homes significantly expands the Jewish settlement in Hebron. The settlers said the move "is an appropriate response to the terrible wave of terrorism that has been ongoing for nearly half a year in Israel, in which Jews are killed and wounded every day."
Malachi Levinger, one of the organizers behind the move, said: "We're freeing two additional buildings in Hebron and join a long line of land redeemers in the land of Israel who purchased homes and ground, starting with Abraham and including Menachem Ussishkin and others."
