BZU Institute of Community and Public Health Holds Seminar on Status of Hebron City - News

The Institute of
Community and Public Health (ICPH) at BZU held its first lecture on 29 September
2011, titled: "Hebron between heritage protection and settlement pressures."
The lecture was delivered by BZU Professor of History Dr. Nazmi Ju’beh as part
of the annual general lecture series.

The lecture covered the
history of Hebron, discussing its heritage and economic importance over a span
of historical periods, and noting features that distinguish it from other Arab
cities. It further discussed the city’s dominating rural features through the
20th century, as well as its social fabric and the distribution of
capital across the population.

Dr. Ju’beh addressed
the stringent Israeli actions in Hebron and the pressure such actions have
placed on the local population, especially in the old city, where the presence of
Israeli settlements is intensified. In addition to the city population having
their right to move freely violated, the Israeli settlers occupy many buildings
and houses owned by the Palestinians.

Dr. Ju’beh commended the role
played by heritage protection institutions in the city, especially the Hebron Rehabilitation
Committee. He called upon the local community to revive Hebron through visits and
attempts to reopen the shops, along with more concerted official efforts to
change the center of the city to a tourist site.