Warning Issued Over Israeli Measures in Hebron

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has issued a warning over Israeli plans aimed at altering the political, historical, and legal status of the city of Hebron and its holy sites.

The Secretariat expressed concern over recent measures, including a decision attributed to Israel’s Minister of Finance to remove municipal authority over key areas of the city, including the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City of Hebron, and surrounding areas, as well as moves to revoke the Hebron Agreement.

It stressed that Israel, as an occupying power, holds no sovereignty over Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Hebron and its religious, historical, cultural, and heritage sites. The statement referenced relevant United Nations and UNESCO resolutions affirming the protected status of these sites.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also renewed its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities in safeguarding the Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron’s Old City, and its historic landmarks. It emphasized that these sites are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the State of Palestine and are inscribed on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.