Hebron Settlement Expansion Driven by "Harchevi" Movement Seeks Public Funding
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The "Harchevi Makom Ohalekh" organization is expanding Jewish settlement in Hebron, establishing new neighborhoods like "Shchunat HaGvura." The group reports increased interest from Arab sellers but faces significant financial challenges in acquiring properties. They are now seeking public donations and partnerships to fund further expansion and achieve their goal of a larger Jewish presence in the city.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- "Harchevi Makom Ohalekh" is establishing new Jewish neighborhoods in Hebron, including "Shchunat HaGvura."
- The organization reports a surge in Arab property owners seeking to sell their homes in Hebron.
- Financial challenges are the main obstacle to further settlement expansion in Hebron.
- "Harchevi" is appealing to the public for donations and partnerships to fund property acquisitions.
- CEO Miriam Fleishman calls the current period a "revolution in settlement" requiring national partnership.
The "Harchevi Makom Ohalekh" (Expand Your Dwelling Place) organization is significantly expanding Jewish settlement in Hebron, transitioning from acquiring individual properties to establishing entire neighborhoods. A key project is "Shchunat HaGvura" (The Heroism Neighborhood), comprising five buildings formerly slated for an Arab commercial center, which have been transformed into a vibrant Jewish community. This neighborhood connects Kiryat Arba with the Avraham Avinu and Beit Hadassah neighborhoods, and its establishment has reportedly led to a dramatic decrease in terror-related incidents in the area.
The organization currently manages 13 buildings in Hebron, housing approximately 40 Jewish families, but sees substantial potential for further growth. They report a surge in inquiries from Arab property owners wishing to sell their homes, with "not a day goes by without calls from owners asking to sell their house," according to the organization. Each transaction undergoes rigorous legal vetting to ensure full legal validity.
The primary obstacle to continued expansion is financial, as acquiring properties and infrastructure in Hebron requires millions of shekels. "Harchevi" emphasizes that they are returning to ancestral lands, with sellers approaching them, but they need public support to realize these opportunities. The organization is appealing to the general public for donations and partnership to fund the acquisition of additional properties, aiming for a "Jewish, strong, and expanding Hebron."
Miriam Fleishman, CEO of the "Harchevi" movement, stated that the organization is in a "blessed period" with unprecedented opportunities for expansion. She described the recent years as a "revolution in settlement in the city" and stressed the need for "the partnership of all of Israel" to continue this progress, with every donation and every acquired home bringing them closer to their vision.