Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily met on the 18th of October with Julie Jules, Political Officer and Walter Miller, Economic Officer at the US Consulate General in Jerusalem with a view to discussing political and living conditions in the Governorate and to getting better acquainted with problems and obstacles faced by its inhabitants.

At the beginning of the meeting, Osaily spoke about settlement activity in Hebron, aggressions committed against Palestinians, security measures imposed by occupation authorities and their impact on Palestinians including the closing down of the heart of the city, dividing Al Ibrahimi Mosque and tightening the grip on Moslem worshippers as well as on Old City inhabitants. “Today is an emotional day for us given the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. I hope that this step will be followed by other measures to remove restrictions imposed against Hebron inhabitants”, he said. Osaily also explained how Israeli checkpoints inside and around the Old City and Hebron in general affect Palestinians’ freedom of movement, leading to instability on all levels in Hebron. He underlined the economic hardships in the largest Palestinian Governorate where unemployment rates have soared due to occupation policies and obstacles created by checkpoints which hinder trade and limit industrial development as well as economic growth in Palestine in general and in Hebron in particular.

Overall political conditions were also discussed including President Abbas’s initiative to obtain recognition of the Palestinian State at the UN. “This initiative has revived hopes and I call upon the US Administration to change its position regarding the veto. We are talking about the right to self-determination for a people who has been living under occupation for such a long time. I am also surprised by the US position at UNESCO, where culture and science - not politics- are discussed. I believe that the US Administration should support President Abbas because he truly believes in peace and is honest about pursuing it. Moreover, the USA should take into account recent developments in the Arab world”, Osaily added.

Osaily then accompanied his guests on a tour to various municipal sections where he spoke about achievements in terms of improving services provided to Palestinians thanks to enhanced work and management mechanisms. He also touched upon the Solid Waste Management Project implemented jointly by Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates, underling the importance of strengthening partnerships in order to enhance services. “The excellent level of services provided by Hebron Municipality proves that Palestinians are capable of building their State’s institutions”, he added.

Ms. Jules expressed her admiration of developments at Hebron Municipality in terms of service management procedures as well as service efficiency and quality. She hoped that these developments would positively impact the daily life of Palestinians in the city.