A group of five prominent sheikhs in Hebron, one of the holiest sites in Judaism and Islam, have expressed a desire to break from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and establish ties with Israel by joining the Abraham Accords.
In a letter sent to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat, they wrote: “The Emirate of Hebron shall recognize the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people and the State of Israel shall recognize the Emirate of Hebron as the Representative of the Arab residents in the Hebron District.”
The establishment of this new emirate would see the region taken out of PA control and recognised as an independent state with diplomatic ties to Jerusalem.
Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari, also known as Abu Sanad, told the Wall Street Journal: “We want cooperation with Israel, we want coexistance.
"I plan to cut off the PA. It doesn’t represent the Palestinians…. The only thing [the PA] knows about Hebron is collecting taxes.
"There will be no Palestinian state—not even in 1,000 years, after October 7 Israel will not give it.”
Another sheikh, who also signed the letter, agreed, adding: “To think only about making a Palestinian state will bring us all to disaster.”
Instead, the collective propose a new state that will work with Israel and guarantee “zero tolerance” of terrorism around its holy sites.
In return, they ask that Israel accept 1,000 workers from Hebron on a trial period, leading to a further 5,000 if successful.
They also request the establishment of a firm timeline for an independent Hebron to join the Abraham Accords, as well as a “a fair and decent arrangement that would replace the Oslo Accords, which only brought damage, death, economic disaster and destruction”.
They went on: “The PLO called itself a liberation movement. But once they got control, they act only to steal the money of the people.
"They don’t have the right to represent us—not them and not Hamas, only we ourselves.”
Barkat, meanwhile, appeared to acknowledge receipt of the letter and his backing for the concept, saying: “Nobody in Israel believes in the PA, and you won’t find many Palestinians who do either.
"Sheikh Jaabari wants peace with Israel and to join the Abraham Accords, with the support of his fellow sheikhs. Who in Israel is going to say no?”
And the plan has also reportedly received support from senior settler leaders Yossi Dagan and Israel Ganz, both of whom expressed optimism that a new map could be agreed once the Oslo framework had been discarded.
However, questions remain over the access Israelis would receive post independence to Hebron’s holy sites, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and vice versa for Muslims living in Hebron regarding the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
