Palestinian officials and community representatives in Hebron have strongly condemned a decision by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to revoke arrangements linked to the city’s governance, describing the measure as an escalation aimed at reshaping control over one of the most politically and religiously significant areas of the occupied West Bank.

Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin said the decision would have no practical effect on the city's identity or legal status, arguing that Hebron remains occupied territory under international law. He stressed that the historic Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque hold internationally recognised heritage status and remain central to Palestinian cultural and religious life.

The remarks came amid mounting concern over efforts to reduce the role of local Palestinian institutions in administering parts of the city. During an emergency meeting held at Hebron Municipality, officials, civil society representatives, tribal leaders and community organisations pledged a unified response. Participants expressed support for legal, diplomatic and public initiatives designed to challenge measures affecting the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque, which many residents view as part of a broader campaign to alter the character of the area during the ongoing genocidal war.

Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Najem stated that pressure on Hebron was not an isolated development but part of a longer pattern targeting a city regarded as a symbol of Palestinian religious, historical and national identity. He called for closer coordination between official institutions and local communities to safeguard the Ibrahimi Mosque, which Palestinians regard as an integral part of their heritage.

Participants at the meeting also urged greater international engagement, including action by UNESCO and other global bodies. They called for enhanced support for residents and traders in the Old City, wider media coverage of developments in Hebron, and a stronger public presence at religious and historical sites in response to the latest measures.