CRI听力:A Wave of Violence Remains without Solution

In Hebron, the largest city in the West Bank, Israel has set up more than 200 checkpoints, with over 100 surrounding the old city, where some 400 Jewish settlers, protected by 2,000 Israeli soldiers, live separately among 5,000 Palestinians.

Issa Amro, a Palestinian human rights defender and a resident of Hebron, says Israel has tightened security measures recently. Now only Palestinians who live in the old city can enter there after registration.

"You have to register your name and ID number, and get a number at the checkpoint. I live inside the area, but I'm not allowed to go there, because I refuse to be a number. I am not a number. I am a human being. I don't need a permit to go in and out from my house, so I climb from walls and from neighborhoods and from fields to reach my house now."

They city has been a flashpoint site during the recent upheaval since the start of October. Of over 70 Palestinians that have been killed by Israeli forces, some 30 are from Hebron.

Sheikh Abu Khader Jabari, leader of the largest Palestinian clan in Hebron, says the wave of violence is a translation of the frustration of the people due to the Israeli occupation.

"After so many years of peace talks without progress, people feel that there is no solution. On the contrary, Israelis are taking more lands from the Palestinians. If the Israeli policy will continue the way it is now, I think the Palestinians will continue their struggle, because they prefer dying with dignity to living under this harsh situation."

No'am Arnon, spokesman for the Jewish settlements in Hebron, on the other hand, takes a hard line.

"We know there were and are still and will be security problems, it's not a surprise. We are not terrified. We decided to come to live here, to renew the Jewish life, and to make sure terror shall not win. We come here to live as a normal community. We did in the past and still today want to live in peace with neighbors who want to live in peace."

However, Palestinians in Hebron say more Palestinian houses have recently been attacked by Jewish settlers. Issa Amro gives an example.

"Hundreds of settlers cut the fence to break into a Palestinian family. And the Israeli soldiers did nothing to stop the settlers who were blocking the door and who went to the roof. We put a big wood block behind the door. Everybody of the family was crying, (especially) the women. I called the Israeli police. I called everybody. Nobody came. For seven hours the family was crying."

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has recently called for Palestinian security forces to be allowed to patrol in certain areas of Hebron in order to provide "security and protection" for Palestinians, but this call has been rejected by Israel.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.