RAMALLAH: Jewish occupiers on Friday threatened to set the West Bank city of Hebron on fire if Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak carries out a recent decision to open a street in one of the city’s neighborhoods after nine years of closure.
The street, known to Palestinians as Jabber road and for the occupiers as Zion Junction, was closed by Israeli forces since 2000, when the second Intifada erupted. No Palestinian is allowed to use the street.
The street connects the areas between Al-Ibrahimi Mosque and the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the city
A Jewish occupier, described by the Israeli media as “leader of settlers” in the city, said that “Hebron will be set ablaze if the street is opened,” despite the (Israeli internal intelligence agency) Shin Bet recommendation to continue closing it. The occupier added, “If the Shin Bet is recommending shutting it down then why taking the risk? Enough blood that was shed on this street, of concern to the thousands of Israelis who use it, the lives of whom will be at risk in case it is opened to the Palestinians.”
The decision to open the street was taken by Israeli defense establishment several months ago, as it is the only route available for Palestinians to reach the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque.
