The Palestine Monitor
A PNGO Information Clearinghouse
URGENT UPDATE
Hebron: a city without streets

31 January 2003
       In the largest incursion seen in the city for several months, Israeli
forces yesterday entered the city of Hebron in full force, imposing a strict
curfew, destroying homes and businesses and shutting down radio and
television stations. Israeli soldiers have also blockaded all roads in the
city with concrete   blocks and piles of dirt and rubble – preventing
residents from making   any movement in and around the city.
       Soldiers destroyed two homes early this morning and also bulldozed
about 100 stalls in the vegetable market, set up by owners after they were
forced out to the Old City due to its close proximity to illegal Israeli
settlers. In the operation, Israeli tanks and bulldozers leveled stall after
stall as soldiers fired at Palestinian civilians in the area.
       According to Hebron Mayor Mustafa Natsheh, Israeli soldiers – in
addition to closing down the local radio and a television stations – also
shut down several buildings belonging to the Palestinian Authority and three
Palestinian police stations. “They even released all of the criminals being
held in the stations,” he said.
       ”Tanks have been rolling up and down the streets constantly ever
since yesterday,” said Mayor Natsheh. “It is impossible for us to move, to
communicate – and we have no idea how long this will last. Looking at the
blockades on every street corner, we are in for a long haul.”
       Hebron’s 130,000 residents are often the victims of Israeli
incursions, due   to the presence of about 450 militant Israeli settlers who
insist on living  in the center of the Palestinian city – although their
presence there is   illegal under international law.
       “If this is an early example of Israeli ‘democracy’ in action, we
fear that the worst is yet to come,” said Dr Mustafa Barghouthi, a leading
Palestinian democracy and human rights activist. “They are already at the
point where   they are shutting down private radio and television stations –
what’s next?”
       For more information contact: The Palestine Monitor   +972 (0)2 298
5372 or +972 (0)59 387 087  http://www.palestinemonitor.org

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