Hebron Revisited

After posting my essay about my own personal experience I thought add some news clips and documentary footage. When I said that Hebron was one of the most depressing places I had ever been, it wasn't hyperbole. The conditions that these people are forced to live in are unforgivable. It is probably the first time in my life I have been personally involved in something that has made me really question the human race and what we are capable of doing to each other.

Hebron: One city, Two Nations

March 1996
From Hebron, two women talk about the tensions of living in a divided city. Ruth Hizmi, one of 400 Jewish settlers, moved to the West Bank 9 years ago. She believes that just being in her kitchen in Hebron is an act of faith. But on her way to work she gets spat on by Arab neighbors. Afifeh, a young Palestinian woman, lives on the 'cease-fire line' between the Jews and 100,000 Palestinians. From her cobbled wall, she overlooks a brand new playground built for Jewish children. Conflict in Hebron begins with the ancient Tomb of the Patriarchs. As the burial Place of Abraham, it holds great religious significance for both Jews and Muslims. Two years ago, a Jewish settler, Baruch Goldstein fired 119 bullets into a crowd of praying Muslims. Ever since worship for both religions has been strictly regulated by tense Israeli soldiers. Noam Arnon, spokesperson for the Jewish community, denounces recent Palestinian elections. He takes politicians to the street where there have been attacks on Jewish settlers. Ruth wants peace but she is passionately opposed to moving out of Hebron. Afifeh is simply resigned to the hard fact that Jews and Muslims can never live together in peace.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures


The following is another documentary about Hebron, in this case the struggle Palestinian kids face in simply trying to go to school. This clip dates back to 2003, during the Second Intifada. Some would claim it is for this reason that the soldiers are being so harsh. If that's the case then leave the kids out if. They are innocents in all of this. When will people realize that by terrorizing the children of today they are creating the "terrorists" they so fear tomorrow.



Thank you to youtube for providing this footage and for the synopsis of Hebron: One City, Two Nations.