Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Sun 4.12.11, Morning

Date: 04/12/2011 ,Morning

Observers: Zipi and Yael (reporting)

Hebron

According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.

Checkpoints observed in H2:

Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station

Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs

Close description

Trans. Jenny L.

Sansana-Meitar Checkpoint:

full of people on the Israeli side, but the sleeve empty of people being checked. One bus is already waiting for the families of prisoners on the Israeli side. On the way back, we saw three buses on the Palestinian side, but the convoy had already gone on its way after having been checked.

Route 60

all the blockades open as usual, light movement of vehicles and already there is no sign of schoolchildren along the road. Perhaps transportation to school has been organized??

Hebron

all quiet; international organization volunteers are at their posts at the Pharmacy, Tarpa"t and Tel-Rumeida Checkpoints. Quiet, fast crossings at all checkpoints - we didn't see any special checks being carried out. Border Police soldiers at the entrance to Worshippers Route, at Curve 160 and the different entrances around the Cave of the Patriarchs do not delay passersby but merely observe them.

We returned via Highway 317 - Zif junction, the settlements of Maon and Carmel: all is quiet and the road looks quite deserted given the absence of vehicles..