Rights group condemns Israeli moves to take over Hebron planning powers
Israeli rights group Peace Now has criticised the government's decision to assume planning and construction powers from the Palestinian Municipality of Hebron in areas linked to Israeli settlements and religious sites in the city.
In a statement, the group said the move was "dangerous and irresponsible" and accused finance minister Bezalel Smotrich of attempting to "win a few far-right votes" from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
"After promising victory [in the war on Iran] and failing on every front, Smotrich the arsonist is trying to set the West Bank ablaze," the organisation said.
Peace Now argued that the measure was "based on an apartheid principle" and would deepen Israeli control in occupied territory, weaken the Palestinian Authority and further undermine prospects for "a political agreement based on two states".
Under the 1997 Hebron Agreement, Palestinians retained civil powers, including planning and construction, in the H2 area of Hebron, while Israeli forces maintained security control.
The area includes the Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, and several Israeli settlements.
Palestinian men watch from a roadside as Israeli settlers and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attend a settlement ceremony near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, 16 June 2026 (Hazem Bader/AFP)
