Temporary International Presence in Hebron
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Temporary International Presence in Hebron or TIPH is a group of civilians observing the situation in the West Bank city of Hebron. It is staffed by personnel from Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. Its main task is to "assist in monitoring and reporting the efforts to maintain normal life in the City of Hebron, thus creating a feeling of security among Palestinians in the City of Hebron." [1]
After the Mosque of Abraham massacre, in which 29 Palestinians were killed by Baruch Goldstein, the UN Security Council called for an international presence in Hebron. The first TIPH mission began on May 8, 1994. However the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government could not reach an agreement on the extension of the mandate and the observers were therefore withdrawn on August 8, 1994.
On 1996-05-02 the TIPH observers were reinstated, this time with only Norwegian members. Since then the mission has been reinforced with staff from other countries with Norway as the coordinator.
On 2002-03-26 two observers, Catherine Berruex and Turgut Cengiz Toytunç were killed by two Palestinian gunmen. A Palestinian man is currently being prosecuted in Israeli court for participation in the attack.
On 2006-02-08 following an attack on their headquarters by rioting Palestinians, all TIPH observers were temporarily withdrawn from Hebron. TIPH members began to resume their duties in April 2006 [2]
Israeli settlers in Hebron and others have criticized TIPH as being too lenient in reporting Palestinian misconduct and too harsh on Jewish misconduct, encorporating the question of TIPH's success or failure into the larger question whether Israel should allow international observers and peacekeeping forces access to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This criticism fails to take into account the fact that the mandate of the TIPH is to provide with its presence a feeling of security for the Palestinian population of Hebron, to help promote stability and an appropriate environment conducive to the enhancement of the well-being of the Palestinians of Hebron and their economic development, and to observe the enhancement of peace and prosperity among Palestinians.
Photos: A TIPH observer in Hebron, TIPH HQ in Hebron, TIPH doctor, A few TIPH observers and a TIPH car
