Hebron, Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Sun 2.5.10, Morning

Date: 02/05/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Netanya and Yael Z. (reports)

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

Translator: Charles K.

06:45-09:45, Lag Ba’Omer

Sansana-Meitar crossing
The checkpoint is deserted even though it’s Sunday. Many trucks loaded with sand on the eastern side of the checkpoint. One bus arrives, signaling that today there are family visits with prisoners. On our way back we saw three buses packed with families waiting for the police on the Israeli side of the checkpoint.

Route 60
Almost no traffic, a few children walking to school in the damp mist. All the roadblocks are in place, and the gates that are usually open are also open today.

Hebron
Signs are visible all along the way announcing the Lag Ba’Omer children’s parade. A soldier tells us that it was held yesterday, on Shabbat!! Maybe that’s why the city is asleep. The Jews have no school, and the children and their parents must be sleeping in. Many discarded flyers and posters around the Cave of the Patriarchs, and rubbish that is probably left over from yesterday’s revelry. Beit Gutnick is also silent. Even the Nahal soldiers seem to stand sleepily at their stations. No detainees and no one is going through the checkpoints.

Worshippers’ route
Metal plates studded with nails have been added to reinforce the concrete barriers recently erected, preventing even a glimpse from the road into the building courtyards and the side alleys that the local population used to go through. Apparently the roadblocks are intended to limit movement in the area forever. How sad.