Sheikh Mohammed Ali Al Jaabari, the former Mayor of Hebron, suggested today that residents of Hebron meet with their Jewish neighbors of Kiryat Arba in order to restore life to normal. In an interview to Yediot Achronot, Jaabari said there was no point in trying to ignore the existence of Kiryat Arba, and it was therefore essential that both Arab and Jewish leaders of the area should meet to discuss their differences.
Jaabari made his statement as the curfew in the Arab city continued for the 11th day. However, workers were allowed, to leave their homes for work in Israel despite the curfew, and it was expected that the curfew will be lifted altogether at the beginning of next week. The Machpela Cave is expected to be reopened to both Moslems and Jews after the holidays.
Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren visited the Machpela Cave today and put a new Torah scroll in the tomb to replace the one desecrated on Yom Kippur Eve. Arab religious leaders of Hebron are expected to visit. the cave later today to ascertain that no changes for the worse have been taken in the Moslem part of the shrine.
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