Jews, Muslims discuss common ground in Hebron
It was a clear mellow winter’s day when the group of six Israelis Jews, five women and one man, made their way to Palestinian side of Hebron (Al-Khalil). An all male group of Palestinians hospitably greeted them at the entrance. And thus unfolded what was a slice of history. Since the outbreak of the second intifadah in 2001, an Israeli group was entering Palestinian side of Hebron for the first time!
Hebron (Al-Khalil) is the second most sacred site in the region after Jerusalem. Home to the tombs of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be Upon Him) and his wife and son, this is sacred to both Jews and Muslims. Both communities claim their heritage from Ibrahim (Peace be Upon Him) – one through his son Isaac and the other through his son Ismail.
Hebron arouses deep passions in Muslims and Jews alike. In May 1980, a group of Palestinians murdered six Jewish students and wounded 20 others. In 1994, Baruch Goldstein, a Jew, opened fire on unarmed Palestinians, gathered for Friday prayers in the Haram. A few minutes later, Israeli guards fired at fleeing Palestinians, thinking a riot had broken out. Twenty-nine Palestinians lost their lives while others beat Goldstein to death.
Under the Oslo Accords, Hebron became the only city in the West Bank to be divided — one part under the control of the Palestinian Authority and the other under Israeli control. Jews and Palestinians were banned from visiting the other side.
Despite such past experiences, this unique trip of Israeli group could be possible due to untiring effort of a Jewish scholar, Yehuda Stolov, who is director at the Interfaith Encounter Association [2]
(IEA). Over the years, the IEA worked with over 6000 people of different faiths to foster understanding based on commonalities of religious thought.
Such ‘encounters’, explains Stolov, “are broader than traditional interfaith dialogue, because the primary goal is encouraging exchange between participants.”
In Hebron, the group toured the old city with the Palestinian counterparts. Much of the old city comprising about 500 settlers, the market and the Cave of the Patriarchs, sits adjacent to Jewish Hebron.
Despite Thursday being a working day, the market wore the look of a haunted place. The visitors learnt that most shop-owners had moved out due to Israeli violence while a few Palestinians continued their business. Graffiti on the walls slandered Arabs, and many of the lanes had rubbish dumped. Remarkably, there was no anger, no feelings of recrimination amongst the Palestinians for their guests and friends.
Netta Hazan, the coordinator of the Israeli group visiting Hebron for the first time, said, “I did not like the feeling that Palestinians lost their business because of my holy place.”
Yael Gidanian, an Israeli participant, observed that no one stared at them although “they all know we are Israelis.”
Yassin Mohamed, who studies journalism at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, felt that the group had done a great thing by coming to Hebron to see for itself as to how people live here.
Stolov had helped him find admission and they work in the same team now.
Even though the Jewish group had permits, the Israeli soldiers manning the checkpoint denied them entry in the Muslim side, the Haram.
For Stolov, it was striking that the atmosphere was so calm and relaxed. “Most tours include a lot of anger, towards one or the other side but this tour was different.”
The group gathered at a café in the city center, where they played backgammon, drank tea and smoked the nargila. It was good to see barriers break down and a spirit of friendship and fellowship engulf all. Most Israelis spoke Arabic and Palestinians like Yassin knew Hebrew. They translated for each other.
Talking about the sanctity of Hebron in Islam and in Judaism, Netta Hazan outlined how Ibrahim was considered the first Jew in Judaism and how his burial place in Hebron had a special significance for Jews. Here are also buried Ibrahim’s (Peace be Upon Him) two wives and son Ishaq (Peace be Upon Him) from whom Jews claim their lineage.
Moatasem Hassuneh then recounted the sacredness of Hebron for Muslims. Ibrahim (Peace be Upon Him) is considered as the father of all the Prophets in Islam and his son Ismail (Peace be Upon Him) is considered to be the father of all the Muslims. Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be Upon Him) not only embraced Islam after hearing God’s call but settled in Hebron till his death, Hassuneh explained. The prophet’s burial in the Haram makes it an important site for all Muslims.
Many believe that Hebron, which has been divided because of its sacred symbolism for both Jews and Muslims, can precisely emerge as the bridge between the two communities.
“Our connection to this place is the same as that of the Muslims. The same people and stories are mentioned in the Holy Quran and the Holy Torah,” remarked Hazan.
For, its director Stolov, the work has been ‘life-changing’.
“I have let go of my prejudices about Christians and Muslims and instead have constantly growing respect for these religions and their followers.” He does not expect miracles and makes it clear that the group is not working towards any political resolution.
Mohamed Zaid, a Hebronite, saw prospects to set up business, with Israeli investment. He believed the IEA’s encounters are a good way to educate each other about their realities.
Hassuneh felt that the very fact that Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians can meet together, sit together and interact on an equal basis makes a tremendous difference to the prevailing culture and people’s attitudes.
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