Today, a multidisciplinary student delegation from Washington State University visited Hebron to stand on the situation in the Old City, express solidarity with its population, and discover the Palestinian way of life, in a visit spanning over a few days organized in collaboration with Palestine International Student Exchange Institution.
Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily welcomed the visiting delegation and expressed appreciation for their solidarity, their humane attachment to achieve justice, their desire to come to the aid of the aggrieved, and their solidarity with Palestinians’ rights as legitimized according to international laws and celestial doctrines.
Osaily presented a historical overview of the city and evoked the dangers it is facing due to continued settlement activities, illegal and illegitimate Israeli decisions negatively affecting the city’s Islamic heritage, the measures enforced by occupation authorities in the Old City, and the slaughters committed against unarmed Palestinians. He then touched on the inscription of the Old City on Unesco’s World Heritage List and invited delegation members to support the project and take part in the international lobbying effort to this end. He also discussed the possibilities for achieving peace in light of the Israeli government’s present policies, which he described as a government of settlers. “Palestinians are a peace-loving people seeking a peaceful future for their children. The Palestinian leadership has not missed an opportunity to participate in the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace. However, the other party apparently does not wish for a peace built on the basis of international law, and seems to be placing obstacles in the path of any attempt to move forward in the region’s peace process. An international stance is needed in order to pressure Israel into putting an end to its policies, force it to abide by international law and fully implement all peace process milestones, as well as to reveal its inhumane actions which constitute a flagrant violation of human rights principles adopted by the whole world”, he added.
He finally invited delegation members to submit their queries regarding the city’s political and historical situation, the reality of the relationship between Palestinians and settlers, the opportunities for peace in the region, and the prospects of freedom for Palestinians. He asked for their opinion regarding the achievement of prosperity and decent life for the city’s residents and enumerated the projects achieved over the last few years and their positive impact on citizens’ lives.
The meeting had been preceded by a field visit which covered the Old City, its neighborhoods and houses located around settlements. The delegation also visited Al Ibrahimi Mosque and took note of the provocative measures implemented by Israel there.