Israel’s President Isaac Herzog plans to light the first Chanukah candle in Hebron, at the Tomb of the Patriarchs – Judaism’s second holiest place.
The reactions from the “moderate” Palestinian Authority and “extremist” Hamas were nearly identical.
Mahmoud al-Habbash, advisor for religious affairs to Mahmoud Abbas, and Husam Abu al-Rub, undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said that Herzog’s visit represents a provocation to the feelings of the Palestinians, and to the feelings of millions of Arabs and Muslims.
Hamas said that the visit would be “a provocation to the feelings of the Palestinian people and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the Ibrahimi Mosque.” It warned that “the occupation bears full responsibility for the repercussions of this attack,” calling on the Palestinians in the West Bank, and Hebron in particular, to “confront this provocative step and confront the attack on the Ibrahimi Mosque.”
But Leftist Israeli groups are no less strident.
Breaking the Silence, Peace Now and other groups plan to protest in Hebron, making a pun on “The Days of Chanukah” into the “Days of Chanufah – Impiety/Hypocrisy:”
Israel’s previous President Reuven Rivlin also visited Hebron, also to protests.
Hamas and the Leftist protesters agree: Jews should not be allowed to visit their holy places unless the Muslims generously allow them to.
Historically, Jews were never allowed to enter the Tomb of the Patriarchs (or the Temple Mount) when they were under Muslim rule. Jews had a pay an annual protection payment to ensure that Muslims wouldn’t destroy Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem and that they would be allowed to visit the Western Wall. Right now, the only way Jews can visit places like the synagogue in Jericho or Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) is under permission from the PA and IDF protection.
That is what these groups want the status quo to return to.
According to these groups, freedom of religion is not a human right – but Muslim antisemitism is.
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