More than a hundred Israeli peace activists were blocked by army and police at the entrance to Hebron, and prevented from visiting the city and meeting with the mayor and with Palestinian inhabitants whose homes were set on fire by settlers a week ago. Ezra Nawi, a Jerusalem activist known for his long-standing work to help Hebron area villagers, was detained in a confrontation with the police when trying to avoid road-blocks and enter the city.

The initiative to organize a solidarity visit to Hebron was taken by several activists who had rushed to the city in the immediate aftermath of the settler rampage and pogrom. Hebronites whom they met received them very warmly and said they would welcome a visit by a larger number of Israelis. As noted, towards' today's action the army blocked all entrances to Hebron, and police cars shadowed the activists since their departure from the Jerusalem rendez-vous point. Whenever they tried to enter Hebron, policemen pounced and threatened the bus driver with arrest and loss of his licence. One woman activist, going by a private car, nevertheless succeeded to bypass the road-blocks and arrive at the Hebron Town Hall where the mayor, the Palestinian governor of Hebron and a large group of Hebronites were waiting.

The mayor phoned to the activists, still stuck at the road-block, and heartily thanked them for raising their voice in protest at the severe conditions of his city's people. "Settler violence and terror has not stopped. Every night they come, smash windows, damage property and terrorize the Palestinians living in their vicinity. Moreover, the army erected no less than 102 road-blocks all around us. It is very difficult to get in or out, and this heavily damages our city's economic life. Hebron has become nearly a ghost town" said the mayor to the activists.

"We will not forget you, we will not let Hebron become a second besieged Gaza. The state of Israel allows violent and racist settlers to establish themselves at the very heart of Hebron, and they are also allowed to get to Umm el Fahm and hold there a provocative march – but peace-seeking Israelis are not allowed to enter Hebron even for a short visit. But we will not give up, we will not stop crying out and alerting the Israeli and international public opinion, struggle until the occupation ends and all settlers are removed from Hebron" said organizer Ya'akov Manor to the mayor.

Gush Shalom * Coalition of Women for Peace * Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions * Ta'ayush * Yesh Gvul * Alternative information Center * Students` Coalition – Tel Aviv University