Denmark condemns religious leaders advocating for peace with Israel
In a significant development, a group of five prominent tribal leaders from Hebron, led by Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari (also known as Abu Sanad), have proposed the establishment of an independent political entity known as the Hebron Emirate. This move represents a departure from the Palestinian Authority's longstanding position and signals a desire for peaceful coexistence and cooperation with Israel.
The proposed Arab entity aims to explicitly recognise the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. In exchange, they seek official recognition by Israel as the representative body for the Arab residents of the Hebron district. The sheikhs' plan includes joining the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, and establishing a new industrial area that would integrate workers from their clans and the Israeli economy.
Yossi Dagan, Samaria governor, along with Dr. Mordechai Kedar and Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, have reportedly been secretly promoting this initiative. Dagan, in particular, has praised the sheikhs as brave and strong leaders who offer a real alternative to the path of terror by the Palestinian Authority. He emphasises that their actions are for the well-being of their residents, whom the Palestinian Authority endangers.
The sheikhs, including Sheikh Jabari, have personally guaranteed they will not engage in terror. However, it is important to note that this proposal has not been officially adopted by the Palestinian Authority, which continues to oppose normalization efforts outside a negotiated two-state solution. The Palestinian Authority has published criticism of the sheikhs working with Israeli politicians to create a peace agreement with Israel.
Dr. Moti Kedar claims that failed Arab states are characterised by religious sects and tribes, while successful states are controlled by one family. The proposed business governance model for the Hebron Emirate resembles that of the United Arab Emirates.
Minister Nir Barkat stated that few in Israel or Palestine believe in the Palestinian Authority, and Dagan considers the Palestinian Authority a greater enemy than even the Jews. Sheikh Jabari's father was a brave leader, and his son continues in this path. Dagan believes it is necessary to correct 32 years of terror and corruption by the Palestinian Authority since the Oslo Accords.
This initiative reflects a significant grassroots movement within parts of the Palestinian community that seeks alternatives to the Palestinian Authority's traditional approach and the stalled peace process, advocating for peaceful recognition and cooperation with Israel through the Abraham Accords framework. The sheikhs, led by Sheikh Jabari, want peace with Israel and to join the Abraham Accords. Their first meeting with Yossi Dagan occurred 13 years ago.
The sheikhs' proposed Hebron Emirate, in line with the Abraham Accords, aims to foster peaceful coexistence and cooperation with Israel, making efforts to recognize the State of Israel and seek official recognition in return. This initiative, backed by Israeli politicians like Yossi Dagan and Minister Nir Barkat, reflects a significant grassroots movement within the Palestinian community, advocating for alternative strategies and peaceful recognition in contrast to the Palestinian Authority's traditional approach and stalled peace process.
