Violence between Palestinians and IDF forces in Hebron sparked after Israeli President Isaac Herzog lit the first Hanukkah candle at the Cave of the Patriarchs in the West Bank City. Herzog said during the ceremony, “The historic connection of Jews to Hebron, to the tomb of the patriarch, to the heritage of the patriarchs and the matriarchs is unquestionable. Recognition of this connection must be beyond all controversy.”
The Hebrew word, Machpelah, is the name of this place in Hebron, which is the Tomb of the Patriarchs. It’s where Abraham is buried and many of the other patriarchs and matriarchs of the Scriptures. It’s a very sacred place to the Jewish people, and to Muslims as well, which can lead to religious and political tension as we’re seeing here.
Politicians like Isaac Herzog would normally skirt the city, but Israeli President Herzog stepped right in to claim Hebron’s Jewish heritage. There’s tension in Hebron because the majority of the ancient city is under the auspices of Palestinian authority, while a small portion of it remains under Israeli rule, which includes Machpelah, the Tomb of the Patriarchs.
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