Settlers Lament Hebron Pullout

Jewish settlers and supporters gathered Monday to lament Israel’s withdrawal from Hebron, unconvinced by Palestinian leaders’ promises to make the city safe for everyone.

More than 1,000 people, some ripping their shirts in the traditional expression of grief, rallied outside Tomb of the Patriarchs, a Hebron shrine holy to Jews and Muslims.

“Judaism sees abandoning territory of the Land of Israel to foreign rule as the destruction of the Land of Israel,” said Rabbi Dov Lior.

Israel withdrew from 80 percent of Hebron on Friday, leaving soldiers to protect the 500 Jewish settlers living among 130,000 Palestinians.