Hebron, in the southern West Bank, is a city of contrasts. It is the largest Palestinian city in the West Bank and the commercial center of the southern West Bank. It is also the center of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, with around 500 settlers living in the heart of the city, protected by the Israeli military. Palestinians make up the majority of the population in the city, and they live in close proximity to the Israeli settlers, who have a separate and much better-protected area of the city.
The tension between the Palestinian and Israeli populations is ever-present and can be seen in the different way the two populations use the city's streets and spaces. Palestinians must often take long detours to avoid Israeli checkpoints and streets used by the settlers, while the settlers can move around freely. This has led to a very segregated city, with Palestinians and Israelis living largely separate lives.
Despite the challenges, Hebron is a vibrant and lively city, with a
