The government approved the transfer of NIS 4 million to the Kiryat Arba/ Hebron Council, which was revoked by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which declared the Ma’aras HaMachpelah a Palestinian heritage site. This led to Israel breaking from the organization. Malachi Levinger, head of the local council, explained the money was requested by him in order to establish a heritage center for settlement in the city.

Levinger welcomed the government’s decision and thanked the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs & Heritage Ze’ev Elkin for “a clear Zionist statement and a courageous decision to transfer the UNESCO budget for the establishment of the heritage center in Kiryat Arba, Hebron.”

Elkin responded, “I am glad that we are implementing the Prime Minister’s decision to establish the Kiryat Arba Heritage Center that will tell our truth and our history, and no foreign international body will be able to spread its lies.”

Elkin added, “The decision we made today is important and it will help us deal with the false and cynical attempts to define Hebron as a Palestinian heritage site. Anyone who knows the true history of Hebron knows and understands that this is one of the important heritage sites of the State of Israel and of the Jewish people, and we are pleased that the government’s decision today enables the Office of Jerusalem Affairs & Heritage to carry out this important mission.”

Elkin promises: “We will act to promote the new enterprise quickly.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)