Tens of thousands visit Hebron and Machpela

The Jewish Community of Hebron
April 02, 2010


Tens of thousands visited Hebron and Ma'arat HaMachpela, celebrating Passover at the semi-annual Hebron Music Festival. For almost seven hours, premier performers entertained thousands in the Machpela courtyard. The event included a debut: Yonatan and Aharon Razel singing the hit written by Yonatan and sung originally together with Yaakov Shweky: MiSheAmdah. A special ceremony took place during which certificates were awarded to several Knesset members and two Deputy Ministers, Ayoob Kara and Gila Gamliel, for their loyalty to Eretz Yisrael and assistance in having Ma'arat HaMachpela declared a 'national heritage site.' All belong to the Shdulat Eretz Yisrael, a body of 40 Knesset members lobbying for Jewish presence in all of Israel.

Ayoob Kara said, "“We are friends of America and walk hand in hand with America but nothing will move us from Hevron – not even Hussein Obama.”

MK Aryeh Eldad said, ""Five years ago, not many people understood that Gush Katif is the security belt of Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva. Hevron is the security belt of Jerusalem”

Several Arab attacks were reported, including massive damage done to a bus which entered the 'wrong' part of Hebron, and was bombarded with rocks on all sides. One woman was slightly injured.

A Hebron spokesman issued the following statement:
The mass turnout of people to Hebron over the past few days is more than encouraging. It is a specific sign pointing to the healthy state of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael, in the State of Israel. There are those who would seek our expulsion from our homes in the first Jewish city in Israel. However, this is a small minority. An overwhelming majority of Jews in Israel understand the importance and significance of Hebron and Ma'arat HaMachpela to Jewish culture and tradition. Ma'arat HaMachpela did not need 'approval' as a site of national heritage, being that this place is the very roots of all Jewish heritage in Israel. However, it is very heartwarming to again witness the tremendous love of Am Yisrael to Hebron and Hebron's Jewish community. These events spoke loudly and clearly to all Israel and the entire world:
Hebron, Me'az u'leTamid – Hebron, Past, Present and Forever.
We call on people from Israel and from around the world to continue visiting Hebron this summer, ensuring that it will never be forgotten: Jewish Hebron is not expendable!

Photos and movies can be seen at:
http://goo.gl/qCMO
and
http://goo.gl/b9X1