A group of visitors from the Netherlands took part in a tour of Hevron led by the Lev HaOlam organization whose goal is to fight boycott activity and support manufacturers in Judea and Samaria.

During the tour the group encountered members of the TIPH (Temporary International Presence in Hebron), foreign citizens who are intended to be objective observers in Hevron. Sometimes called "European anarchists", TIPH has existed in its present form since 1997, and calls Israeli presence in Hevron "occupation".

According TIPHs website, it claims "the mission was called for by the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel in order to support them in their efforts to improve the situation in Hebron and to create a sense of security for the Palestinians in Hebron... Observers come from TIPHs five contributing countries: Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey."

TIPH following Israeli troop movements, Hevron
TIPH following Israeli troop movements, HevronReuters

The visiting group members invited TIPH personnel to a discussion with Attorney Nati Rom, but they refused. The Dutch citizens then called out to the observers, "With the money we donate, you're here to protect terrorists and fight the Jewish settlers." Afterwards the visiting group began to sing Am Israel Chai ("The People of Israel lives") in front of the observers who then abruptly left the area.

The tour was led by Lev HaOlam organization founder, Attorney Nati Rom. During the tour the group also visited factories in Bat Ayin, the "Holy Cocoa" factory in Ma'aleh Hever and the Hebron Honey factory, continuing on to the Cave of the Patriarchs and Bet Hadassah Museum.

Speaking to TIPH in Hevron
Speaking to TIPH in HevronLev Haolam

During the tour the visitors learned about production processes in the factories, heard about challenges faced by manufacturers in Judea and Samaria, and about the importance of support for Judea and Samaria communities' growth.

Later on, the group met with soldiers and gave them packages of products from Judea and Samaria for Passover.

Members of the group and thousands of other supporters of Israel worldwide maintain regular contact to support the Jewish communities and receive monthly packages of products from Judea and Samaria sent by Lev HaOlam.

"On a day of UN resolutions against Judea and Samaria, a group from Europe came to see with their own eyes and to feel with their legs the historical and national connection of the people of Israel to this land," said Rom. "We visited the Cave of the Patriarchs and met with people in Gush Etzion and Hevron, and prepared packages of products that will be sent to the world by Lev HaOlam.

"We also met a group of European observers who prefer to hear the Arab narrative and attempt to harm settlement activity in the area. The members of the group return to their country with the impressions they gathered during the tour as well as with the insights they'll relay."