Hebron Power Transfer
Israel Transfers Hebron Planning Powers, Sparking Palestinian Outcry Over Legal Violations
Key Points
After Smotrich’s announcement, Israel approved construction plans in the Hebron-area without requiring Hebron’s municipality’s consent for the first time in decades—while also moving forward with specific settlement projects elsewhere (e.g., a zoning plan for 456 housing units in Mitzpe Jericho and final approval for 120 units in Karnei Shomron’s El Matan neighborhood).
Smotrich framed the decision in sweeping terms, saying, “We continue to build the Land of Israel in practice and implement practical sovereignty in the settlement enterprise,” adding that bringing “thousands of new residents to Mitzpe Jericho” and establishing a new building for Shavei Hebron Yeshiva in the “city of the patriarchs” would “set clear facts” to prevent “the establishment of an Arab terrorist state in the heart of the country.”
The Foreign Ministry clarification that rejected Smotrich’s implication that the Hebron Agreement was canceled came from Gideon Sa’ar and pointed to a prior internal Israeli decision: it said the Security Cabinet had adopted a decision “several months ago” concerning planning-and-construction jurisdictions.
Palestinian pushback included international-status arguments: the Hebron Old City is recognized as a Palestinian World Heritage site, and Palestinian officials specifically said the measure infringed on Hebron’s political and legal status and violated international law; Hebron mayor Yousef Al-Jabari called it “a racist decision intended to strip the municipality of its powers.”
Peace Now went beyond the “two-state” critique, calling the move “dangerous and irresponsible” and accusing Smotrich of trying to “win a few far-right votes” from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir; the group also portrayed the policy as “based on an apartheid principle.”
Israel has stripped the Palestinian municipality of Hebron of its planning and construction powers in the city's Israeli-controlled zone, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced June 16. The move marks the first time in decades that Israel approved construction in Hebron without Palestinian municipal consent, according to Ynet News.
The decision affects the H2 zone — the 20% of Hebron under Israeli security control since the 1997 Hebron Agreement. On June 17, Israeli authorities approved 576 new housing units across the West Bank, including 1,000 square meters for a new Shavei Hebron Yeshiva building near Beit Romano, according to Middle East Eye.
Smotrich Declares End to Oslo-Era Planning Rules
Speaking at a ceremony on June 16, Smotrich framed the move in sweeping terms.
Smotrich said,
Smotrich declared,
Foreign Ministry Contradicts Smotrich on Agreement Status
Hours after Smotrich's announcement, Israel's Foreign Ministry issued an unusual public correction. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated the 1997 Hebron Agreement
Sa'ar said the shift was narrow:
Sa'ar's ministry said on X that the change followed a Security Cabinet decision made
Sa'ar wrote that the move came after
According to Ynet News, Sa'ar stated the Security Cabinet had adopted the jurisdictional change
Smotrich Says Move Prevents 'Arab Terrorist State'
Smotrich framed the decision as a sovereignty move. He said the actions would
Smotrich stated:
"We continue to build the Land of Israel in practice and implement practical sovereignty in the settlement enterprise," Smotrich said, according to Middle East Monitor. He added that bringing
Smotrich said the moves would "set clear facts" to prevent "the establishment of an Arab terrorist state in the heart of the country," according to Middle East Monitor.
Palestinians Call Move Racist, Cite International Law
Hebron Mayor Yousef Al-Jabari called the decision "a racist decision intended to strip the municipality of its powers," according to Al Jazeera. He warned the municipality "cannot be bypassed or ignored" and called for U.S. intervention.
Palestinian officials argue the move violates international law. Hebron's Old City has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017 and sits on the "List of World Heritage in Danger." The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee meets in July 2026 and is expected to take up the issue.
Israeli rights group Peace Now called the decision "dangerous and irresponsible" and said it was "based on an apartheid principle," according to Middle East Eye. The group accused Smotrich of trying to "win a few far-right votes" from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
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