Story perspectives

Israel Approves Hebron Jewish School, Overriding 1997 Agreement

6/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israeli government approved construction of a roughly 1,000-square-metre Jewish school in Hebron’s historic core on June 17, 2026.
Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich cancelled a prior planning agreement with Hebron’s Palestinian municipality before the approval.
The approval bypassed the 1997 Hebron Agreement, which normally requires Palestinian municipal consent for building projects.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro warned that dismantling parts of the agreement could deprive residents of basic services and amount to ethnic cleansing.

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Story summary

Israeli government approved construction of a roughly 1,000-square-metre Jewish school in Hebron’s historic core on June 17, 2026.
Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich cancelled a prior planning agreement with Hebron’s Palestinian municipality before the approval.
The approval bypassed the 1997 Hebron Agreement, which normally requires Palestinian municipal consent for building projects.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro warned that dismantling parts of the agreement could deprive residents of basic services and amount to ethnic cleansing.