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Nov. 22-28, 2024 • Chayei Sara • 21 Cheshvan 5785 • Vol 23, No 40
This is our family’s land On Shabbat Chayei Sara, touching Jewish roots in Hebron’s soil
Just like the children of Israel, a tree is rooted in the land outside the Machpelah in Hebron. Inside, visitors view — and some pray outside — the tomb monuments of patriarchs Abraham and Jacob and matriarch Sara. Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star file
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ewish history in the promised land began in Hebron. As the biblical narrative that we read this Shabbat Chayei Sara recounts, Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah to be the burial site for his wife, Sara.
It was in Hebron that David became king of Israel, ruling for seven years before relocating his throne to Jerusalem. So it was that Hebron — the foundation of Jewish life in the Land of Israel — became deeply embedded in Jewish history and memory. This is anything but “occupied” territory. For millennia, a tiny and impoverished community of Hebron Jews endured; by the 19th century, they lived in a cramped ghetto, the frequent target of
Shabbat Chayei Sara
Read our rabbis (and Alan Mazurek in Hebron this Shabbat): pp. 16-17 hostile local Arabs. Then in 1929, Arabs rampaging through the Jewish quarter slaughtered at least 68 Jews, after which the British compelled the survivors to abandon their ancient holy city. Hebron became Arab-occupied territory, and Jews did not begin to return See Our Hebron on page 2
We expected to rely on the Saudis. Not so fast. Analysis by Amine Ayoub audi Arabia has long positioned itself as a central player in the Middle East, aiming to influence regional stability and global geopolitics. The Riyadh summit earlier this month, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressed key issues facing the Muslim world, brought this role into sharper focus. However, as the kingdom seeks to navigate complex geopolitical tensions — such as its evolving relationship with Iran, its criticisms of Israel and its involvement in ongoing conflicts like Yemen — the question arises: Can Saudi Arabia be trusted to broker lasting peace,
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especially when its own internal and external challenges, including its human-rights record, remain prominent? At the heart of the Riyadh summit was a discussion on Palestinian statehood and the ongoing conflict with Israel. In a notable departure from its previous diplomatic trajectory, bin Salman took a more assertive stance, openly condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and accusing it of genocide against Palestinians. He emphasized the need for the international community to ensure Israel respects Iranian sovereignty, signaling a potential shift in Saudi Arabia’s stance towards Israel and a move toward closer ties with Tehran.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
This stance appeared to mark a clear pivot away from previous talks aimed at normalizing relations with Israel,
which had been a priority under former President Donald Trump’s first administration. While Saudi Arabia had ex-
pressed interest in recognizing Israel in exchange for security guarantees and regional stability, particularly in light of shared concerns about Iran, the kingdom’s rhetoric at the Riyadh summit highlighted growing divisions in its foreign policy. This shift is significant, especially given that Saudi Arabia’s rapprochement with Iran in 2023, brokered by China, has already reshaped the regional diplomatic landscape. audi Arabia’s growing ties with Iran, along with its criticisms of Israel, suggest a more independent foreign policy that is less reliant on the United States than it has been
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in recent decades. This makes Saudi Arabia’s role as a potential peace broker more complex. While Riyadh’s attempts at fostering diplomacy — such as encouraging dialogue between Iran and its regional allies — have been welcomed by some, its ability to mediate without bias, particularly in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, remains an open question. The trustworthiness of Saudi Arabia as a mediator in regional conflicts must be assessed in terms of its internal and external challenges. On the one hand, Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical clout, bolstered See The Saudis on page 2