Professors for a Strong Israel

Statement to the Press - 11 June 2006

Re: Shabbat in Hevron

This past weekend, Professors for a Strong Israel visited Hevron to show support for the Jewish community. Around 50 members began their visit by meeting Tzvi Katzover, chairman of the Kiryat Arba local council, and Yossi Ron, manager of the high-tech industrial park. During Shabbat we met representatives of the Jewish community and various prominent residents, including Rabbi Moshe Levinger and the community's spokesman, Noam Arnon. We toured the historical sites of the city, and visited the Casbah in a tour guided by the artist Shmuel Mushnik.

We were surprised to learn that the Israeli security forces spent Shabbat in an effort to destroy the Gibborim settlement in the city. Gibborim was established in memory of the thirteen soldiers and civilians, among them Col. Dror Weinberg, Hevron brigade commander, who died heroically three years ago defending innocent civilians against a terrorist attack in the city. Professors for a Strong Israel protests the misuse of the security forces of the Jewish nation to uproot a neighborhood established in memory of the nation's heroes. We demand that the government act to preserve the neighborhood, not to destroy it.

Professors for a Strong Israel
Tel: 050-551 8940