Hebron, Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Tue 23.6.09, Morning

Date: 23/06/2009 ,Morning

Observers: Michal Ts. (photos), Hagit B. (report)

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

Translation: Bracha B.A.10:00- 14:00

Sansana CP: The cp is quiet at this time. Seven busses with families visiting prisoners are in the parking lot. People say that everything is OK.

Road 60
Ramadin-Dahariyyeh: A new road is being paved from Ramadin to Dayariyyeh, funded by the US gov.
There is no checkpoint here – everything seems almost normal and there is no red sign warning people against entering Area A.
We rode on the new road and came out on Road 60 at Dura Elfawwar – where the pillbox was manned and traffic was moving through. Our conclusion from this trip was that preventing Palestinian cars from driving on Road 60 adds at least 45 minutes to their journey – the other road is good but much longer. There is almost no traffic on Road 60 and people are harvesting whatever crops that they have.
The Sheeps' Junction: pillbox is manned.

Hebron
The Pharmacy Junction: It is 11:30 and people are detained on their way to a wedding at the Islamic courthouse. They are released in less than 20 minutes as an officer’s permission is required for anyone to be detailed for any longer than that.

Road 35
Electrical works are being done between the Humanitarian CP - Ukafim Junction - and the Olive Crossing, and the army is guarding the workers together with guards from the Israeli Electric Company, but traffic is moving.
Idna–Tarqumiya: Road work is being done and the procedure of stopping traffic four times a day has stopped. The grocer promises to keep us posted as to what happens next. The routine of the occupation continues.