Israel has announced a major policy shift involving Hebron after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the government completed a process removing the Hebron Municipality’s planning and construction authority over the Jewish community in Hebron and several key holy sites. The move includes areas connected to the Cave of the Patriarchs, one of Judaism’s most significant religious sites. Israeli officials described the decision as a historic change aimed at restoring greater Israeli oversight.

The authority arrangement had remained connected to the Hebron Municipality under the Oslo-era Hebron Protocol, which established administrative divisions in the city. Supporters of the Israeli government argue that the previous system created an unusual situation where planning decisions affecting Jewish areas and religious sites were influenced by an outside municipal structure. Smotrich called the change a “historic correction” and said it removed what he viewed as a longstanding problem.

Hebron holds deep religious and historical importance for Jews and is traditionally recognized as the location of the burial place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs, including Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah. The Cave of the Patriarchs remains one of the most sensitive and significant religious sites in the region. The announcement has placed renewed attention on the city’s political and security landscape.

The decision is expected to generate strong reactions as Hebron remains one of the most contested cities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli supporters view the move as strengthening Israel’s connection to its historic and religious sites, while opponents are likely to argue that it changes existing arrangements established through previous agreements. The development adds another major issue to ongoing regional debates.

The Israeli government’s action highlights the continued importance of sovereignty, security, and historical claims in discussions surrounding Hebron. As officials move forward with the new framework, attention will focus on how the changes are implemented and what impact they may have on daily life in the city. The announcement marks another significant moment in the long-running dispute over Hebron’s future.