Officials say long-isolated Hebron areas could see revival
The Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee recently worked out a deal with Israel to open some shops in a Hebron area that's been closed off for almost two decades, but some Palestinians view the move as a mere publicity stunt that will do little to help revive the area, which used to be a bustling commercial center.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israel will allow 15 stores to reopen in an area of Hebron that has been closed to everyone but residents since 2000, and it is relaxing — a bit — its restrictions on automobiles there.
The Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee announced the decision April 11. Five of the stores opened the next day.
The reopening of 15 stores could be considered a goodwill gesture, but it represents only a fraction of businesses that were economically devastated when Israeli forces closed stores in two stages: The first followed the Hebron massacre in 1994, and the second came in 2000 with the outbreak of the second intifada. The military ordered 512 shops to close in the areas of Al-Shuhada Street, Tel Rumeida neighborhood and the Old City area, all of which are in the center of Hebron.
Moreover, Israel imposed military checkpoints that dried up the flow of customers, leading owners to cut their losses and close some 1,300 shops in the area.
