Issa Kurdia, a Palestinian of Hebron/al-Khalil was a key figure during the tragic events of the 1929 Hebron massacre, where he and his family played a crucial role in saving the lives of numerous Jewish families. This period was marked by intense violence between Jewish and Arab communities, with devastating consequences. However, amidst the chaos, acts of bravery and humanity, like those of Issa Kurdia, stood out as remarkable examples of compassion and courage.
His brave act took place during the 1929 Hebron massacre, a violent episode set against a situation in which tensions between Jews and Arabs in British Mandate Palestine erupted into deadly riots. Hebron/al-Khalil, one of the oldest cities in the region and a place of religious significance for both Jews and Muslims, became a focal point of this conflict. During the riots, a large number of Jews were killed, and many others were in imminent danger. It was during this time that the actions of Issa Kurdia and his family would make a profound difference.
Issa Kurdia, was an ordinary person – a landlord in Hebron/al-Khalil– yet he took extraordinary risks to protect his Jewish neighbors during the massacre. One of the most notable families he saved was that of Dr. Zvi Kita’in, who worked for the Hadassah Medical Association in Hebron/al-Khalil. Dr. Kita’in was well-known and respected in the community for his work as a physician, serving both Jewish and Arab patients alike. As violence broke out, many Jews sought refuge in Dr. Kita’in’s home, believing that his standing in the community might offer them some protection.
Recognizing the grave danger these families were in, Issa Kurdia hid them in the basement of his home. When the rioters arrived, searching for Jews, Kurdia courageously misled them, claiming that the Jews had already fled. Meanwhile, another neighbor, also from the Kurdia family broke through the wall of Kurdia’s house, allowing the Jews to escape through to his own home, where they were further protected. The efforts of Issa Kurdia and his family did not stop there; they continued to take significant risks to ensure the safety of these individuals.
In total, the actions of the Kurdia family helped save around 425 Jewish lives, a testament to their bravery and their commitment to protecting their neighbors, despite the dangers they themselves faced. The women of the family also played a crucial role, sitting in doorways and pretending to be engaged in daily activities like milling flour, thereby preventing the rioters from entering the homes where Jews were hiding.
The actions of Issa Kurdia and his family left an indelible mark on the lives of those they saved and on the broader history of Hebron/al-Khalil. Their bravery is a powerful reminder of the capacity for kindness and humanity even in the darkest of times. Dr. Zvi Kita’in, who survived the massacre thanks to the Kurdia family, continued to offer medical assistance to both Jews and Arabs after the events, demonstrating the enduring bonds of solidarity and cooperation that can exist even in times of conflict.
Why Issa Kurdia was chosen to be honored in the Garden of Rescuers: The legacy of Issa Kurdia and his family’s heroism continues to be remembered and honored by those who know the story. Due to the ongoing restrictions of movement for palestinians members of the family could not attend the ceremony. As well, in the face of the ongoing conflict, such stories are not easy to convey. Nonetheless, their actions remain a powerful example of how individual courage can transcend the divisions of conflict and war and make a lasting impact on the course of history.
In the photo: Boaz Kita’in, whose family was saved in Hebron/al-Khalil, holds up the award. The Kurdia family was not allowed to attend the ceremony.
