Israeli Minister Warns Against Repeating 1929 Hebron Massacre Mistakes Amid Current Security Threats

On the 97th anniversary of the 1929 Hebron massacre, Israeli Minister Orit Struck issued a stark warning against repeating past errors and called for a firm stance on Israel's security. The massacre, which occurred on the 18th of Menachem Av, saw 67 Jews brutally murdered in Hebron, with victims subjected to horrific violence. The tragedy unfolded after the Jewish residents expelled Haganah members who had offered protection, trusting instead in good neighborly relations with their Arab neighbors and the British authorities, who failed to intervene.

Struck emphasized that the key lessons from the massacre were the dangers of naivety and reliance on external forces for protection. She criticized the repeated trust placed in agreements with hostile parties, which led to territorial concessions and arming of enemies, resulting in further bloodshed. Reflecting on the 2005 evacuation of Jewish settlements in northern Samaria, she lamented the failure to heed these lessons, which contributed to ongoing security failures culminating in the recent massacre in 2024.

The minister highlighted that the current military objectives, to completely dismantle Hamas's rule in Gaza and eliminate its terror infrastructure, reflect the hard-earned lessons from past tragedies. She condemned recent peace council agreements with Hamas, negotiated without Israeli consent, which propose disarmament and power transfer to other Palestinian authorities, warning these would repeat past mistakes of trusting "good Arabs" to protect Israel.

Struck concluded with a call to remember the warnings of Moses in the Torah, stressing that Israel must learn from history to protect its citizens and future generations. She vowed that on the anniversary of the massacre, Israelis will recommit to these lessons and ensure Israel’s security is maintained independently, rejecting any false peace agreements that could lead to further bloodshed.