Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Tarqumiya
We met at the grocery store at the entrance to Tarqumiya (thus saving us the unnecessary, irritating and suspicious questions on the way back at the Tarqumiya passage). Because of a misunderstanding, we traveled only to Hebron. Ramadan is felt everywhere – in the number of people, in the traffic on the streets and in the parking lots. Beit Knesset (synagogue) “Hazon David” that was destroyed more than once, still exists in the form of a small, poor shed, with a few chairs and a small plastic table –everything is ready for the coming worshippers. (A form of “attachment”, but on whose land?) Beit HaMeriva – “everything is relaxed.” Bend 160 is closed, a single soldier is in the hut. With Abed sits someone that will replace him. Abed himself meets us sadly but calmly, because he is walking to the hospital. His brother is hospitalized there (according to him, in critical condition, dying). His replacement sells us ceramic gadgets.
All around it is too quiet. A small trickle of people mill around. The pharmacy checkpoint is deserted. There is a lone soldier.
On Shuhada Street, next to Beit Hadassah, a dismantled bus, tens of police officers in blue uniforms. A professional tour.
In the soldier’s hut, an Israeli flag waves proudly.
On the way back, at the humanitarian checkpoint, a policeman delays a car.
A short, dreary tour.