Security and Safety in Hebron, West Bank: Before I come to Hebron I didn’t know practically anything about the city where I would live for a month in the city of Hebron, West Bank. All the articles I read told me about a city very different from the one I have seen. I was wondering if it would be a safe or a secure city, and now I laugh just thinking about my doubts before coming.
Hebron, West Bank is an incredible city for foreigners, the culture of the people who live here have treated me like a brother or a sister. It may sound surreal for those people who have never been in Palestine, but on many occasions, I feel more secure in Hebron, West Bank than in many big Spanish cities.
I think this is due to the culture, the people here are so hospitable by nature and try to take care of you and help you with everything they can. When you go down the street many people approach you to invite you to drink coffee and talk, but never with bad intentions, unlike many European countries especially if you are a woman.
Being a woman in Palestine is obviously different from what we are accustomed to in the West. But I must say that being a foreigner, I have many privileges. In fact, I can afford to do whatever I want. Actually, I could say that I practically have the same privileges as a man.
The people here respect you, respect your culture and whatever religion you practice. And they totally understand our customs, which in many cases are totally different from what they practice.
On the other hand, being a foreigner not only gives me privileges as a woman but also at when dealing with Israeli soldiers, especially at the checkpoints. While if you are Palestinian they identify you and whether you can cross, as a foreigner I can pass without any kind of problem or question.
So I can affirm without fear of being wrong that I feel totally safe and secure in Hebron, West Bank. obviously with the burden of being a woman, which is no more than in any other country in the world.” Monica from Spain
