Settlers threaten rally against Spanish FM Hebron visit

Settlers will try to persuade Trinidad Jiménez to halt Spain's support of Palestinian construction project near Cave of the Patriarchs.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
cave of the patriarchs 248 88 (photo credit: Courtesy [file])
cave of the patriarchs 248 88
(photo credit: Courtesy [file])
Settlers have asked to meet with Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Trinidad Jiménez when she visits Hebron Tuesday morning in hopes of swaying her to halt her country’s support of a Palestinian construction project near the Cave of the Patriarchs.
Should she refuse to meet with them, they have warned that they will hold a protest rally during her Hebron visit.
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Jimenez’s two-day trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories is her first since taking office two months ago.
On Monday the heads of Hebron’s Jewish community and the Kiryat Arba settlement sent a letter to Jimenez and asked for an opportunity to present her with information regarding the dangers the apartment project poses to the city’s Jewish residents, because it is likely to host released prisoners.
“Its goal is to create a hostile demographic buffer, with a potential for terrorism, which could erupt at any moment, the heart of the tiny Jewish area, near the holy place - Tomb of the Patriarchs."
They reminded Jimenez that her country had expelled its Jews 500 years ago, some of whom had made their way to this ancient Biblical city.
“Does the Spanish government intend to contribute to an additional expulsion of Jews from Hebron?” they wanted to know.