from The Australian Jewish News:

Controversy or birthright?

Australian Birthright program organisers have rejected reports in the international media claiming a recent group visit to Hebron was “unprecedented”.

… Rabbi Yehudah deVries, who is responsible for the Australian Chavaya Taglit-Birthright Israel trips for Chabad Campus students, said that those undertaking the extended program for longer than the 10-day free trip have always visited Hebron, with the exception being the past two years.

Rabbi deVries told The AJN he was approached by Birthright’s official trip organiser, Israel Experience, to arrange the visit to the Cave of the Patriarchs…

“The entire 10-day program was submitted for Taglit’s approval, as always, and was, as always, approved.