Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily met on the 19th of May 2012 with Mr. Wolfgang Bruelhart, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Political Department at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs who was accompanied by the Swiss Representative to the PNA. The meeting aimed at getting acquainted with conditions in Hebron and its Old City as well as at assessing the city’s political and humanitarian situation. The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) and by Mr. Yihya al Natsheh, Public Relations Officer at Hebron Municipality.

Osaily welcomed his guest and valued his visit to Hebron. He also underlined the important role played by Switzerland and the EU in protecting Palestinian rights, upholding world peace, defending the oppressed and protecting all rights endorsed by the UN. Osaily then spoke in detail about life in Hebron, measures imposed by occupation authorities and checkpoints which swarm in and around the Old City. He also touched on projects implemented by Hebron Municipality, especially in the fields of youths and sports which are given utmost importance by the Municipality. Osaily spoke about his development vision aimed at improving economic conditions and creating job opportunities for the unemployed as well as for recent graduates.

Osaily then listed the various obstacles imposed by Israel to impede the implementation of vital projects in the city. He called upon his guest to help exert pressure on the Israeli government to ease Palestinians’ daily life, especially in the Old City. Hebron’s Mayor also spoke about the Project to inscribe Hebron on Unesco’s World Heritage List: its progress, sponsors, partners and aims which are to protect Hebron and its historic sites and prevent their alteration due to occupation and settlement policies. He also spoke about Hebron becoming a full-fledged member of the League of Historical Cities.

Mr. Bruelhart said his government is closely monitoring the situation in Hebron, and that the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs was aware of the situation there. He also expressed his appreciation of the enhanced services provided to Palestinians in the city which have improved their daily lives. Finally, he hoped to see peace prevail in the region.