Security Personnel Successfully Access Ancient Historical Site in West Bank Area
Hebron's Contentious Holy Land Visit During Passover
Israeli forces ensure a smooth entry as Israeli settlers tour a deeply disputed historical site in Hebron, a West Bank city, during the Jewish Passover holiday on April 16, 2025. This yearly event, laden with religious significance, adds fuel to the flames of a decades-long, bitter conflict. (Photo: Xinhua)
Steeped in religious and political resonance, the arrival of Israeli settlers in Hebron during Passover in 2025 is more than just a pilgrimage - it's a bold, deeply political move.
Foundations of Faith and Fury
- Passover's Importance: Celebrated from April 12 to April 20 in 2025, Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage. For Jewish communities worldwide, this is a time for rejoicing and introspection.
- Ibrahimi Mosque/Cave of the Patriarchs: This sacred site is revered differently by Jews and Muslims. For Jews, it's the Cave of the Patriarchs; for Muslims, it's the Ibrahimi Mosque. Divided in 1994 following a deadly attack, the mosque's designation allocates 63% for Jewish use and 37% for Muslim use[2][3].
Political Land Mines
- Israeli Fortress in Hebron: The area surrounding the mosque is constantly guarded by Israeli military forces, protecting 400 Israeli settlers. This volatile environment intensifies the ongoing struggles between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents[2][5].
- Limited Access: during Passover in 2025, access to the Ibrahimi Mosque was barred to Muslim worshippers, allowing Israeli settlers to visit and perform rituals. Israeli authorities often enforce such restrictions during Jewish holidays, causing hardship for Palestinian communities[2][3][4].
- Unyielding Disputes: The influx of Israeli settlers during Jewish holidays likes Passover often leads to increased tensions, security measures, and restrictions for Palestinian worshippers at religious sites. Similar incidents occurred at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, where Passover visitors caused an increase in security and restrictions for Palestinian worshippers[1][3].
This year's events in Hebron illustrate the ongoing clashes between Israeli and Palestinian communities over religious sites and territorial control in the West Bank, signaling another chapter in the ongoing bitter saga.
In 2025, Israeli settlers' visit to Hebron during Passover, a General-News event, holds significant religious and political implications, transforming the pilgrimage into a declaration of polarized intentions. The Israeli forces' presence in Hebron, specifically protecting settlers near the contested Ibrahimi Mosque/Cave of the Patriarchs, highlights the volatile political landscape. Restricting Muslim worshippers' access to the mosque during Passover, while allowing Israeli settlers to perform rituals, underscores the continued disputes over religious sites in the West Bank.
