A ‘Hebron Emirate’? Tribal Sheikh Offer Peace—and Recognition of Israel as a Jewish State
A surprising letter signed by senior Hebron sheikhs calls for severing ties with the Palestinian Authority, recognizing Israel, and joining the Abraham Accords—with backing from Israeli officials and cautious interest from Netanyahu
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The two-state solution has never looked more irrelevant than it does post–October 7. But amid the regional chaos, an unexpected path to peace may be emerging—from Hebron.
A bold letter, signed by influential tribal sheikhs representing the majority of Hebron’s population, proposes the creation of a “Hebron Emirate”—an independent Palestinian entity that would recognize Israel as a Jewish state, fight local terrorism, and formally break away from the Palestinian Authority.
“We want cooperation with Israel,” said Sheikh Wadi’a Ja’abari—known as Abu Sand—from his hosting tent in Hebron. “We want coexistence.”
Ja’abari, head of the city’s most powerful clan, signed the letter together with four other leading sheikhs. The letter, addressed to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat, calls for direct negotiations with Israel and outlines a plan to join the Abraham Accords and replace the failed Oslo framework.
“The Hebron Emirate will recognize the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people,” the letter states, “and in turn, the State of Israel will recognize the Emirate as the legitimate representative of Hebron’s Arab residents.”
The sheikhs describe the Oslo Accords as a disaster that brought only death, economic collapse, and corruption, while empowering the unelected Palestinian Authority at the expense of traditional local leadership.
They propose an economic pilot program starting with 1,000 workers from Hebron, expanding to 5,000 and eventually 50,000, with a clear commitment to “zero tolerance for terrorism”—in contrast to the PA’s payments to terrorists.
The letter also includes plans for a joint economic zone of over 1,000 dunams near the security barrier, which could employ tens of thousands of Palestinian workers.
Minister Barkat, who has met with the sheikhs more than ten times since February, is working in coordination with the Israeli government and believes the old diplomatic model has failed. A senior Israeli official confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu is listening carefully, although proceeding cautiously.
According to internal documents, eight senior sheikhs representing around 204,000 residents have already joined the initiative. An additional 13 sheikhs, representing another 350,000, have also pledged support. Together, they represent the majority of Hebron’s population—over 700,000 people.
The sheikhs emphasize that this is a local initiative, not externally imposed. “Israel brought the PLO and told the Palestinians, ‘Take this,’” Ja’abari said. “But only those who live on the land know its springs, its people, and its needs.”
He added: “There will never be a Palestinian state—not even in a thousand years. After October 7, Israel will never agree to that.”
The sheikhs have also met with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and Binyamin Council head Israel Gantz, both of whom support the initiative. Dagan, who has known Ja’abari since 2011, said: “His father was a brave leader who put his people first. The son is following in his footsteps.”
The intellectual architect behind the plan is Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an Arab world expert who has advocated for city-based Palestinian emirates led by traditional clans for two decades. It was Kedar who introduced Ja’abari to Barkat and helped broker the partnership.
“The PLO and Hamas derive their legitimacy from hating Israel,” Kedar said. “But the clans don’t need external enemies. Their authority is real—and rooted in centuries of tradition.”
One senior sheikh put it this way: “If President Trump and the U.S. bless this plan, Hebron can be like the Gulf—like Dubai.”
But will Israel seize the moment?
The sheikhs signed their letter back on March 24, just after Ramadan. They had hoped to begin immediately—but were told to wait as Israel faced successive crises in Gaza and with Iran.
Now, Barkat warns, the sheikhs are operating on their own timeline—and taking real personal risks. “The Palestinian Authority is the problem,” he said. “They are the solution.”