Two buildings were purchased by Hebron’s Jewish residents on Thursday, January 21. The two buildings, three-stories high and each containing 20 apartments, will be named “The House of Rachel” and “The House of Leah” respectively.

The buildings are located on King David Street adjacent to the Cave of the Patriarchs, where the forefathers of Judaism, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were laid to rest, according to biblical tradition.

Announcement of the purchase sparked immediate riots, which the IDF sought to bring under control. Indeed, shortly after the outbreak, medical teams treated an Israeli civilian who had sustained light head injuries having been struck by a rock by a Palestinian rioter.

Following the purchase, the head of the Kiryat Arba Municipal Council, Malachi Levinger, said that the buildings had been paid for in full and in accordance with the law. He evoked the Jewish people’s historical and religious connection with the land and particularly with Hebron itself.

“We are privileged to be able to salvage two additional buildings in Hebron, the city of our forefathers. By doing so we join the long chain redeemers of the land of Israel which Abraham purchased at a high price,” Levinger said.

He called upon the Israeli government to “stand strong” and enable Jewish people to purchase and live in homes anywhere in Israel and particularly in Hebron.

Additionally, in light of the recent scandals which have emerged surrounding various left-wing human rights activists who have sought to inflict punishment on Palestinian sellers of land to Jews, Levinger urged the government to ensure that no harm be brought upon those who sold the land.

“We call upon the Israeli government to help us protect the lives of the Arab individual and his family, who sold the land, from other Arabs and human rights organizations,” Levinger said.