Showdown Looming: Army Declares Newly Inhabited Machpelah House ‘Closed Military Zone’

“I warmly congratulate the 15 families for entering the Machpelah House in Chevron and call upon the Prime Minister and Defense Minister to work to keep them in the house forever”, said Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin.
Despite a cloud of uncertainty still hanging over the residence, the 15 families numbering around 100 people entered the Machpelah house in Chevron yesterday(Tuesday) afternoon.

The Machpela house was purchased by Jewish owners over 5 years ago, but to date, has not received official government approval for inhabitation.

The 15 families put out a joint statement saying, “The Machpela house was purchased a few years ago, but to our dismay the state of Israel prevents the families of living in the home which they purchased. This is going on for over 5 years without any just or morale justification”.

The 4-story structure is being disputed by local Arabs who are claiming that the house was not rightfully purchased from its original Arab owner.
Despite the Arab claims, the families have proven in court that the building was rightfully purchased, and that the ownership now belongs to them.
Earlier this month the Army prevented the families from moving in to the Machpela house, as well as to the Beit ‘Sarah’ and ‘Leah’ houses, which were also purchased by Jews and are now being contested in court.

Very often after an Arab sells his property to Jews, he will come to court and deny the transaction, out of fear of being prosecuted by the PA for the capital crime of selling land to Jews. This common practice severely complicates land sales between Jews and Arabs, and can cause a lengthy legal battle to establish the Jewish rights of the property.


Minister of Agricultural Uri Ariel also congratulated the move saying, “This is an important and joyous development. I congratulate the families on their entry into the Machpelah House, and these days there is no better Zionist response than that. The entry into the home is another step in strengthening the natural connection of the Jewish people to its land. In the last few days in which Jerusalem has been under incessant incitement, I am glad that the people of Israel continue to establish themselves in the City of the Patriarchs. Despite the difficulties being placed by those elements who are trying to harm the settlement enterprise, we continue to strengthen.”

As of last night, the Army declared the home a closed military zone and is waiting for further instructions from the defense ministry. It is still unclear if the residents will be permitted to stay, or will once again be forcibly removed from their rightful home.


By Eli B. (Arutz Sheva contributed to this story)

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