Breaking the Silence offers Eurovision visitors tour of ‘occupied’ Hebron
The left-wing Israeli group Breaking the Silence has offered Eurovision visitors a tour of “occupied Hebron.”
By TOVAH LAZAROFFA Jewish settler argues with an Israeli policeman during a protest by Palestinians in Hebron February 10, 2019(photo credit: REUTERS/MUSSA QAWASMA)
The left-wing Israeli group Breaking the Silence has offered Eurovision visitors a tour of “occupied Hebron.”Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan took to Twitter to attack the Israeli non-governmental group of former IDF soldiers.“The organization of hate ‘Breaking the Silence’ has once again found time to spread lies against the State of Israel,” Erdan tweeted.“Here’s a tip: Instead of inciting against the brave pioneers in the city of our forefathers, take the tourists on a tour to familiarize them with the Hamas regime’s terrible human rights violations in Gaza. Or a tour of the Palestinian Authority, that will impress upon them its financing of terrorists and its praise of the despicable murderers,” Erdan said.In promoting the tours it plans to hold from Tuesday through Friday, Breaking the Silence urged Eurovision visitors to “see the reality for yourselves.”Their group, it said, exposes “the reality of everyday life in the occupied territories.”The NGO explained: “We’re happy you came to party with us! Enjoy the sunny beaches and exciting nightlife – just don’t forget that there’s a lot more to this place then fun and games. We know it’s hard to tell by looking at Tel Aviv, but there is another side to Israeli society.“An hour away from your hotel, throughout the territories, millions of Palestinians are still living under our military rule. We know because we were the IDF soldiers sent to serve in the territories – and we would like to show you the full picture,” the group said.Jewish ties to Hebron date back to the biblical book of Genesis, when Abraham purchased the Tomb of the Patriarchs.
The West Bank city of more than 220,000 Palestinians is today divided, with 80% under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority and 20% under Israeli military rule.A small Jewish community of less than 1,000 people lives in that area, which includes the tomb.
