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Al-Ahram Weekly
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Palestinians reject ‘Hebron emirate' - World - Al-Ahram Weekly
In the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, Israel has long sought to create a local leadership that would be completely compliant in its agenda, with the aim of extinguishing any Palestinian political representation or demands to end the occupation of the Territories seized in 1967 and to establish an independent Palestinian state. From the outset, Israel has opposed any political solution that would restore even a fraction of their rights to the Palestinians. Israel's strategy involves fracturing Palestinian society by any means. It began decades ago with the village leagues in the late 1970s and early 1980s, continued through policies exacerbating divisions among the Palestinian factions, and most recently has seen the Wall Street Journal detailing Israeli Ministers' proposals to cooperate with Hebron's clan leaders. The aim is to install them as civic authorities in the city, severing them from the Palestinian Authority (PA), in preparation to end both the influence of the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in the West Bank. The report also describes Israeli support for the Abu Shabab militia in Gaza, arming it to attack Palestinian resistance factions. In its edition of 6 July, the Journal published a report headlined 'A New Palestinian Peace Offer to Israel: Hebron Tribal Leaders Propose Breaking from the PA and Joining the Abraham Accords.' The article highlighted an official letter signed by five Hebron sheikhs and addressed to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat. The letter states the full recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and calls for establishing a 'tribal emirate' in Hebron under the Jaabari clan, with the aim of joining the so-called 'Abraham Accords.' The initiative includes practical steps to build trust, among them permitting 500 workers from Hebron to enter Israel in the first phase, increasing to 5,000, and ultimately up to 50,000 under a broad security and economic agreement. According to the report, the sheikhs have met with Israeli officials more than 20 times since February. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views the proposal cautiously, while some security leaders oppose it, fearing it could spark serious internal divisions, dismantle the PA, and ignite armed conflicts that could spill over into the settlements and threaten the Israeli military. Despite the pushback from the Israeli security establishment, right-wing ministers close to Netanyahu reportedly support the plan, in part because it includes a clear pledge to recognise Israel 'as the nation-state of the Jewish people' in exchange for Israeli recognition of a 'Hebron emirate' as 'the official representative of the Arabs in the Hebron area.' Significantly, this framework avoids any political commitment to establish an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, as prescribed by international consensus. The right-wing Israeli ministers see these influential clan leaders as viable alternatives to the PLO, which Israel has historically negotiated with. According to these ministers, the initiative also rejects the Oslo Accords, which the sheikhs denounce as having 'brought corruption, death, and economic destruction,' in favour of elevating clan leadership as the genuine representation of the Palestinians. They also rely on perceived American backing, particularly from US President Donald Trump, to lend legitimacy to the initiative. They believe it could rescue Hebron from a Gaza-like scenario. The revelations have found a parallel in southern Gaza, where for months Israel has supported a militia led by a man known as Yasser Abu Shabab. Claiming to head the 'Popular Forces,' he reportedly commands hundreds of fighters who patrol aid routes near the vital Kerem Shalom Crossing, providing protection for international organisations and preventing looting after limited aid deliveries began in May. Abu Shabab, in his early thirties and from a prominent Bedouin family, was imprisoned by Hamas on 7 October 2023 for alleged drug-trafficking before being released following the outbreak of the conflict with Israel. Israeli officials have admitted supplying his militia with weapons as part of a covert operation to empower anti-Hamas groups in Gaza. Netanyahu has defended this covert campaign, saying the Israeli security agencies 'have activated opposition groups in Gaza against Hamas.' Although Abu Shabab's name was not directly mentioned, officials confirmed he is part of the programme. Both in the West Bank and Gaza, Israel's efforts to forge such local leadership have been broadly rejected. Multiple statements, even from the tribes themselves, condemn the promotion of the Hebron sheikhs and Abu Shabab's group in Gaza, signalling high levels of failure for these Israeli-backed attempts. In Hebron, leading families and clan leaders released a joint statement in response to the Wall Street Journal report, declaring their rejection of the 'Hebron emirate' idea and affirming their commitment to the PLO programme, the PA, and a unified national identity. The statement emphasised that Hebron's clans, rooted in national, religious, and historical significance, will remain resistant to infiltration. It denounced any foreign-sponsored fragmentation projects as doomed to fail, underscoring that the PA and its security apparatus, along with the PLO, remain red lines that cannot be compromised. It said that the Palestinians have sacrificed thousands of martyrs, wounded fighters, and detainees to defend their national project, and any attempt to undermine it under any pretext is totally unacceptable. It also condemned the expansionist policies of extremist Israeli ministers within Netanyahu's government, naming Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and described such moves as 'a vicious attack on the land, the mind, and the identity' of the Palestinians. Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly that Israel's efforts to form a local leadership are neither new nor unprecedented; similar attempts were made in the 1980s through village leagues, supported by the civil administration and Israeli military. All these attempts, he stressed, failed because the Palestinians reaffirmed their loyalty to the PLO as their sole legitimate representative. He noted that similar efforts are underway in Gaza amid violent siege tactics, backing armed groups and marginal leaders in an attempt to fracture Palestinian identity and undermine national unity in efforts that the Palestinians have consistently resisted. Fatah Revolutionary Council member Tayseer Nasrallah also slammed the attempts, saying Israel's strategy to mould the Palestinian militias and produce tailor-made figures was to be 'completely rejected' as aligned with a colonial agenda. In Gaza, Hamas and other factions have labelled Abu Shabab 'a traitor and gang leader,' saying that 'we pledge before God to continue confronting this criminal and his gang, no matter the sacrifice.' The joint leadership of the Palestinian resistance factions called Abu Shabab 'a traitor whose blood, and that of his associates, is forfeited by all the factions.' It described him and his group as 'stripped of Palestinian identity' and praised tribes and families who remain loyal. Majdalani argued that Palestinian national, political, and social unity, anchored in the PLO and its legitimate institutions, is essential to the Palestinian cause. He urged a broad political and societal dialogue to counter Israel's dismemberment efforts of Palestine amid the genocide in Gaza and challenges to the PA in the West Bank. Nasrallah added that supporting clan and armed breakaway leaders would deeply fracture the Palestinian project, warning that such attempts lack national legitimacy and are doomed to fail. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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First Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Another Palestine: 5 Hebron residents propose breakaway emirate, stir outrage
5 sheikhs for Herbon sent a letter to Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat demanding to join the Abraham Accords as a separate emirate. The sheikhs are calling for independence from the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, questioning the two-state solution read more A group of five prominent sheikhs in the West Bank's Hebron district sent a letter to the Israeli authorities expressing their desire to join the Abraham Accords as a separate emirate and have peace with Israel. The letter was addressed to Economy Minister Nir Barkat, in which they expressed their desire to break off from the Palestinian Authority and establish Hebron as an emirate. The sheikhs assured that they would 'recognise [s] the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In return, they demanded that the 'State of Israel shall recognise the Emirate of Hebron as the Representative of the Arab residents in the Hebron District.' The sheikhs of Herbon argued that the proposed arrangement was 'fair and recent'. They suggested replacing the Oslo Accords, which they believed 'only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.' While speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Barkat noted that the letter indicated that the old two-state paradigm has failed, and that the Palestinian Authority is not trusted among its people and in Israel. In the explosive report, the American news outlet also revealed that Barkat hosted Sheikh Wadee' al-Jaabari — one of the most influential Hebron clan leaders and the spearhead of the initiative — and other sheikhs at his home in Jerusalem for dozens of meetings since February. 'Sheikh Jaabari wants peace with Israel and to join the Abraham Accords, with the support of his fellow sheikhs. Who in Israel is going to say no?' Barkat said. 'There will be no Palestinian state—not even in 1,000 years,' Jaabari tells the newspaper. 'After October 7, Israel will not give it.' It is pertinent to note that Jaabari has long condemned the PA and backed greater cooperation with Israeli settlers. However, he has remained a marginalised figure in Palestinian politics. This can be reflected by the fact that Herbon residents are not in favour of this arrangement. The idea is not popular among residents Local residents and community leaders have strongly rejected the initiative, stating it does not represent Hebron's population or political will. Haaretz quoted extended family members as saying that the proposal is part of a long-running, unsuccessful attempt to create an alternative leadership in Hebron. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hence, the announcement has sparked a heated debate about political representation and the future governance of Palestinian territories amid ongoing conflict and negotiations. In the past, Israel often suggested that with a majority of Arab Palestinians living in Jordan, there's already a State of Palestine there in West Asia. What is Israel's take on the matter? Interestingly, the idea faced intense opposition from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), The Jerusalem Post reported. While the Israeli security agency is not satisfied with the PA's fight against Palestinian terror, it still sees it as the only body that can assist Israel in curbing terror across the entire West Bank. Israeli officials emphasised that the PA has as many as 70,000 soldier-officers, including a smaller group of commandos. Hence, it is not an easy body to replace. The officials also noted that there are around 4,000 PA officers in Hebron, along with 200 commandos. Throughout the years, PA has shared intelligence with the Shin Bet, helping them to capture at least some Palestinian terrorists, especially Hamas. PA's motivation to share info regarding Hamas is to weaken the Palestinian group in Gaza, so that it can make a space for itself in the coastal enclave. The IDF has similar opposition to the idea, also counting on the PA for security cooperation, The Jerusalem Post reported. Experts believe that Shin Bet and IDF prefer the enemy they know to the one they don't. They worry that a loose confederation of emirates in the West Bank would be hard to manage and could lead to an unpredictable Palestinian civil war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
New York Post
06-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Top West Bank sheiks propose, recognizing the state of Israel, leaving Palestinian Authority: letter
A group of five top Palestinian officials in the West Bank's Hebron district said they are willing to leave the Palestinian Authority and join the Abraham Accords, recognizing the state of Israel. The sheikhs penned a letter to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat, expressing their desire to transform The West Bank's largest district into an emirate that 'recognize[s] the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people,' the Wall Street Journal reported. Sheikh Wadee' al-Jaabari — one of the most influential leaders in Hebron, the West Bank's largest region — urged Israel and President Trump, who oversaw the Abraham Accords in his first term, to back the plan for self-governance. 5 Sheikh Wadee' al-Jaabari and four other top officials in the West Bank's Hebron district proposed a plan to establish their own emirate and join the Abraham Accords. 5 The West Bank has been marred by violence that has ramped up since the war with Gaza began, with the sheikhs blaming the Palestinian Authority's failures. AFP via Getty Images 'If we will get the blessing of honorable President Trump and the United States for this project, Hebron could be like the Gulf, like Dubai,' Jaabari told the outlet. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has stood as the de facto rulers of the autonomous Palestinian regions since 1994 as part of the US-backed Oslo Accords, which Jaabari and other sheikhs slammed as an agreement that 'only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction.' They said the PA was forced on the Palestinian people and never brought the prosperity and peace Israel and the US promised — as evidenced by violence along the border and Hamas' operation inside the West Bank. Jabbari and his supporters have instead tapped Trump's Abraham Accords as a roadmap to 'coexistence' with Israel. The agreement previously normalizing relationships between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. 5 Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat touted the proposal for an independent Hebron as a way forward for Israeli-Palestinian relations. Bloomberg via Getty Images With the West Bank occupied by Israel and seeing daily violence that has only escalated since the war with Hamas began, Jaabari proposed a trial run that would see 1,000 Hebron workers establish an autonomous 1,000-acre economic zone bordering Israel. If all goes well, the zone would grow to 5,000 more residents and then 50,000, with the sheikhs pledging to a 'zero tolerance' policy against terrorism. Jabbari accused the PA of supporting terrorist activity in the West Bank. 'I plan to cut off the PA,' Jaabari vowed. 'It doesn't represent the Palestinians.' 5 It remains to be seen how a deal can move forward under Israeli occupation, where clashes between residents of soldiers are common. AP Barkat, who has been meeting with the sheikhs since February to discuss a potential deal, touted the proposal as a step forward for Israeli-Palestinian relations. 'Sheikh Jaabari wants peace with Israel and to join the Abraham Accords, with the support of his fellow sheikhs. Who in Israel is going to say no?' Barkat told the WSJ. 'Nobody in Israel believes in the PA, and you won't find many Palestinians who do either,' he added. 5 Hebron stands as the West Bank's largest district and serves as its commercial center. AFP via Getty Images It remains to be seen how the bold proposal will be accepted by the Jewish state and Hebron residents alike, with some from the West Bank slamming the proposal and claiming it 'doesn't represent us,' Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. The formation of the new zone could also cause problems along the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but the sheikhs claim the land disputes can be easily negotiated. Jabbari and his colleagues assured Barkat that they will be able to drum up support for the proposal, touting it as the only hope to prevent Hebron and the West Bank from becoming another Gaza. Jabbari maintains that his proposal is the best solution for his people given that Hamas crushed all hopes for a Palestinian state when it attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and kidnapping another 251. 'There will be no Palestinian state — not even in 1,000 years. After Oct. 7, Israel will not give it,' Jabbari said.
Middle East Eye
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Hebron locals denounce sheikhs' plan to declare independence and recognise Israel
Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron have disavowed a proposal by five purported local "sheikhs" to sever ties with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and establish an "emirate of Hebron" which would recognise the state of Israel. The outrage was sparked by a Wall Street Journal article reporting that "five sheikhs" from Hebron penned a letter to the Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat, backing Israel as a Jewish state and proposing to establish their own emirate and join normalisation agreements with Israel. The letter further suggested the creation of an Israeli-West Bank industrial zone and pledged "zero tolerance" for "terrorism by Palestinian workers". "Accepting Israel as a Jewish state goes further than the Palestinian Authority ever has, and sweeps aside decades of rejectionism," the report said. According to the report, the initiative was helmed by Wadee' al-Jaabari, who local city residents and its political leadership claim is unknown to them, and backed by "four other leading Hebron sheikhs". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Palestinian city residents, including Jaabari's extended family members, roundly condemned the proposal, saying that its authors do not represent them. Hebron-based activist and journalist Issa Amro said that the proposal and its authors are "complete fabrications". "The so-called 'Hebron sheikhs' in this WSJ piece are complete fabrications - anonymous figures with zero political presence, social standing, family ties and community recognition," he told Middle East Eye. 'This isn't journalism - it's inventing Palestinian 'leaders' to fit an artificial narrative while real Hebronites endure occupation' - Issa Amro, Hebron activist "No media, no clans, no Palestinian factions acknowledge them because they simply don't exist as consequential actors. This isn't journalism - it's inventing Palestinian 'leaders' to fit an artificial narrative while real Hebronites endure occupation," he added. Local political figures also expressed surprise at the report, noting that the authors of the letter had no real influence in the city and that Jaabari in fact lives in Jerusalem. Jaabari's own family issued a statement denouncing the plan, saying that it "in no way represent the position of our respected family and does not reflect the will of its members". "The Jaabari family has always been – and remains – part of the Palestinian national fabric, justly struggling for freedom and independence. We reject all attempts to normalise the occupation or grant it legitimacy." The family told Haaretz that Jaabari "is known for his ties to settlers and Israeli institutions, which primarily serve his personal and business interests", and that his initiative enjoys "no public support". In a post on X, Amro said the WSJ report "names no verifiable sources and ignores documented power structures" and constitutes "either shockingly poor journalism or deliberate misinformation". "At a time when Hebron faces very real challenges - from expanding settlements to military closures - this fictional narrative does a grave disservice to readers and Palestinians alike," he said.
