Osaily and TIPH Head of Mission discuss a number of issues

Hebron Mayor KhaledOsaily and Brigadier General EinarJohnsen, TIPH Head of Mission and his accompanying delegation, discussed on the 15th of March several issues relating to settler aggressions on Palestinians in the city, the inauguration of the TareqIbnZiyad Sports Project and means to enhance mutual cooperation.

At the beginning of the meeting, Osaily spoke about conditions in Hebron, the latest settler aggressions and their impact on stability in the city and on international efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region.“The Palestinian Authority is making relentless efforts to revive the Old City, improve the life of its inhabitants and support their steadfastness. The Israeli occupation, on the other hand, is trying to thwart these efforts by taking provocative decisions which neither serve stability nor the stammering peace process, allowing settlers to increase their violations and aggressions against Palestinians. Great efforts were made internationally to safeguard Hebron’s Palestinian heritage and its history which is considered as a common history of humanity. We have turned to Unesco, the UN peace envoy to the Middle East and the Quartet, asking them to seriously help put an end to Israeli measures and infringements against the city’s Palestinian history and culture. TIPH also plays a key role in the city where it monitors the dire reality”, he said. Osaily added that TIPH activities should be supported by enhancing human and social ties with Palestinians and by providing support to various projects in the city similar to theTareqIbnZiyad Sports Center to be inaugurated soon.

Brigadier General EinarJohnsensaid that TIPH monitors developments in Hebron and submits reports to its governments and to relevant bodies in order to follow up on conditions in the city. It also monitors aggressions by settlers. “I am serious about enhancing cooperation and joint action with Palestinian institutions in the city, strengthening ties with Palestinians and helping them in their daily lives”, he said. Following a visit to various municipal departments during which he got acquainted with systems and tools used by the Municipality to provide services, enhance service quality and increase work efficiency, Brig. Gen. Johnsen said he is dazzled by the technological and administrative progress at Hebron Municipality.

At the end of the meeting, details concerning the inauguration of the TareqIbnZiyad Sports Center were discussed. This project was executed by Hebron municipality with funds from TIPH. Osaily urged TIPH to provide additional support to the cultural and social sectors in the city.