Paul Calvert interviews Gidon Ariel at the Hebron Jewish Community Visitors Center, also known as the Gutnick Center. Ariel discusses the history of the Jewish community in Hebron, one of the oldest Jewish settlements in Israel. He recounts how Jews lived peacefully alongside Muslim Arabs until the 1929 Hebron massacre, during which over 66 Jews were killed. This tragedy, part of widespread violence across Israel, led to the British Mandate authorities exiling the Jewish community from Hebron.

For nearly 40 years, from 1929 to 1967, no Jews lived in Hebron. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Jews began returning, initially to Kiryat Arba, a nearby neighborhood. Eventually, through persistent lobbying and legal efforts, Jewish families reestablished a foothold in Hebron itself, where around 150 Jewish families now live amidst over 200,000 Muslim residents. However, Jews are confined to a small area within Hebron, where their presence is strictly regulated by Israeli courts and government policies.

Ariel highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish community in Hebron, including limited space, security concerns, and international criticism. He also points out that Jews have a historical, moral, and biblical connection to Hebron, emphasizing their desire to live in peace with their neighbors. The city’s Jewish residents maintain their presence under difficult circumstances, bolstered by their commitment to their heritage and homeland. Ariel invites listeners to visit Hebron and learn more about its rich history and significance.