Hebron Shrine Control Shift Sparks New Tensions

Israel has taken over planning and building rights at a key Jewish‑Muslim shrine in Hebron from the Palestinian Authority. The move ends an agreement that had been in place since the 1990s. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he approved the change on Monday night. The decision means Israeli officials will now manage any construction near the shrine and the nearby Jewish settlement. The original 1997 agreement gave Palestinians full control over development in Hebron, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the Ibrahimi Mosque. Smotrich said the transfer affects both the religious site and the settlement, strengthening Israeli authority in the area. Critics argue that Israel’s claim over the West Bank is not recognized worldwide. The Palestinian president’s office called the move a breach of Hebron’s political status and international law.Smotrich described the action as a “historic step” that would deepen Israeli sovereignty. The West Bank is seen by Palestinians as the core of a future independent state. Israel plans to hold elections by October, and Smotrich’s popularity is low in the polls. He has long advocated annexing the West Bank and draws support from settlers who view the region as their biblical homeland. Hebron has a history of violence. In 1994, a settler killed 29 Muslims at the shrine. The transfer of powers follows earlier cabinet decisions that eased land purchases for settlers and increased Israeli enforcement in the territory. These policies have led to a surge in settlement activity and clashes. International bodies largely consider Israeli settlements illegal, citing the lack of recognized sovereignty. Israel counters with claims of historical ties and security needs. According to U. N. data, settlers have killed 13 Palestinians this year.