Property Confiscation

trans. Charles K.

We originally intended to go to Huda’s kindergarten with baskets of fruits and vegetables to teach them about the market and what you can find there. But we anticipated that there would be few, if any children because of the cold, windy weather, while on the other hand our friend Juma’a from Khirbet Tawani told us his tractor had been confiscated until he pays a fine, and he needs us, so we exchanged the kindergarten for the complicated bureaucracy of the occupiers.

We drove to the Palestinian Carmel, to meet up with Eid, who had to be paid for his participation in the kindergarten project.Eid told us about more demolition orders issued for his village, against two buildings, some tents and a soccer field they laid out together with peace activists and with the Civil Administration’s authorization. All because they’re located at the foot of the fence around the Carmel settlement, and the lords don’t like it.

This time they objected to reinforcing the fence posts of the soccer field with concrete…

Eid is optimistic.  He says their lawyer will take care of it.

We met Juma’a at the entrance to Kiryat Arba, with a friend and a car.  It turns out they managed to take care of some of the bureaucracy for us – to bring the Postal Bank payment voucher from the location where the tractor was being stored.

All we had to do was take the voucher and the cash and for the first time in our lives go to the Kiryat Arba post office (there’s no line!) to pay and bring back the confirmation that will allow him to pay the debt and release the tractor, because every day in storage costs him NIS 150!

On the way there, the sight of the demolished trailers of Mitzpe Avichai at the entrance to Kiryat Arba scorched our eyes.  They had been demolished last night, accompanied by massive TV coverage.  The trailers had indeed been overturned, but the solar panels and water tanks were still in place, suggesting that they could easily be re-erected.

Even though it was said the army had closed off the area we saw many settlers around, apparently collecting their belongings.  We took photographs under the watchful eyes of the soldiers lying in wait at the junction with a video camera – part of closing off the area?

We drove back to the checkpoint.

Translator:  Charles K.

Two weeks ago we wanted to go to Ras a-Tira and Ras A-Tiya.  Hisham, our friend, asked that we not come because of an internal family problem involving the two villages.  We only went to Ras A-Tiya, promised to be in touch again and today were guests of Hisham at his home in Ras A-Tira.

12:55  Habla.  The gate is still closed.  Eight people, a horse cart and a donkey cart are waiting.  Eleven people waiting on the village side.  A Hummer arrives; only two soldiers emerge.  The Hummer drives off to get the MP, without whom they won’t open the gates.

13:05  A bus approaches.  We watch it curiously and see Daniela and Neta leading a Machsom Watch tour for 23 English speakers – of all ages.

Meanwhile we talk to the two soldiers.  One’s a new immigrant from the US, has been in Israel for a year, the other an immigrant from Ethiopia, five years in Israel.  The exiles ingathered at the checkpoint.

13:20  The military vehicle returns, the MP’s emerge, open the inspection booth.  The first six people go through in a few minutes.  Before we leave I asked the MP whether we can cross to Habla with the car.  He refuses.  I ask how to reach the village; via Qalqilya, he says.

13:40  Eliyahu crossing.  Only a few cars go through.

14:30  Ras a-Tira.  A conversation at Hisham’s home:

Electric poles were recently erected on private land.  Around each pole, 3-4 dunums of agricultural land were stolen.  The poles provide electricity to the settlements.  An electrical installation was built in the village, in coordination with the Israel Electric Company, based on plans that were approved, on land purchased for that purpose.  All the infrastructure required for a low-tension installation was prepared.  Six months later he was invited to a meeting and told that the Electric Company changed its mind, and wants a high-tension installation.  That means starting over, large expenses and wasted time.  (Tsvia and Dalya were in contact with Hisham and tried to help).  In a meeting at the DCO, representatives of the village were told they would be granted NIS 500,000, but Salam Fayad wasn’t willing to take money from Israel.  Politics.  Today their electricity comes from Habla (low tension), and they’re satisfied.

Hisham had a permit to work in Israel.  It was cancelled in June.  He was told he’s blacklisted, but wasn’t told why.  Four contractors wanted him to work, but he didn’t get a permit.  We gave him phone numbers of MW members who might be able to help.

Olive harvest – 200 permits were applied for (the village has 500 inhabitants); only 76 were granted.  Part of the crop remained on the trees because the gates are closed and the owners of the groves have no way to reach them.  Many residents cultivate lands registered in the name of their father or grandfather.  Some applied for permits through an attorney, submitting inheritance documents but the lands aren’t registered in their names so they’re not entitled to permits.  Most of the lands are on the other side of the fence.  A few received permits for a year, but most got them for only a month even though the groves must be worked throughout the year.  This year they didn’t get help from volunteers during the harvest season.

In November, during the recent harvest, a fire that began near Giv’at Tal and spread south destroyed many of Ras a-Tira’s olive trees.  The Palestinians sent fire engines but the soldiers who arrived at the gate said they’d forgotten the key…the fire continued to spread.  Since most of the residents lacked permits to reach their plots during the year, the groves were full of high weeds and thistles, which helped the fire spread quickly.

It’s been a little quieter recently.  Six months ago the IDF/Border Police used to enter the village at night with sirens and loud music, waking everyone.

The fence is a daily annoyance.  Is it for security??  Hisham asks: if it’s to protect the inhabitants of Alfei Menashe, why isn’t there a fence around Alfei Menashe?  Why do they build fences on private land and separate the village from its lands?  Some 2500 dunums have already been stolen from the residents of Ras a-Tira.  The court ordered their return.  While the fence was moved, despite its promises the army didn’t repair the damage that had been caused.

16:00  We go up to Hisham’s roof to look out over the area, and then he and his cousin take us around.  We see the former route of the fence, before the IDF relocated it.  It was a pile of ruins; the IDF was to have removedthe debris and cleanedthe area.  That, of course, didn’t happen, and the owner of the land cleared it himself and planted new olive trees.  The gate next to that plot is always closed (No. 1327), open only during the harvest season.

We meet the owner of the olive trees that had been burned.  He wants to erect a greenhouse for vegetables on his land.  He received a permit to use the gate that’s always closed…Duh…where are we – Chelm?

17:30  Eliyahu crossing.  Nothing

Translation: Bracha B.A.

On the slopes of the hill where the settlement of Tomer is situated we saw a long barbed-wire fence running parallel and to the south of the road.  Could it have been there and we had never noticed it before?

A minibus is parked at the tent encampment (beneath the settlement of Maskiot south of the junction leading to Tayasir). There is a group of tourists, ad Palestinian guide, and a man and woman from the tent encampment.  We went to see what was going on and found a group of tourists from France.  The guide told us that he was from Nablus and lived in France.  There was also a "local" with them – a young Irish man who lives in the Jiftlik and is an activist in the Jordan Valley Solidarity movement.   They were interested in what we were doing.  We learned that the school was not operating since the teachers had not received their salaries from the Palestinian Authority for the past six months.  We asked if there had been any exceptional incidents in the area by the army or the settlers.  A young man who lives in the tent campground told us that the army had placed mines in the area during the last month.  We didn't understand where, and were told that this had happened in the past few weeks. 

Hamra Checkpoint, 12:30

There are many cars going west.  People are crossing quickly and there are also workers and students crossing westward without being checked.  Most of them are turning north towards the tent campground above the checkpoint. A car with a yellow license plate arrived from the west, did not pass the inspection point, and turned back.

At 13:00 a car arrives, bringing lunch.  It is joined by a car with detainees and another jeep.  The soldiers are busy distributing food.  A line with five cars forms east of the checkpoint.  One of the drivers understood that he was supposed to drive up to the checkpoint, arrived at the junction, and was immediately sent back.  (Why?)  Someone gets out and tells us that there are a lot of people waiting to be checked at the checkpoint.  A private car is waiting near the checkpoint on the road and is not being allowed to pass. A traffic jam forms.  The driver's brother also has a car but starts to walk across and stands next to us.  After about 10 minutes the soldiers permit the car to drive to the traffic island and allow the other cars to pass.  The passengers in the cars waiting next to us began to talk to us and talk about themselves.  From our telephone conversation with the driver who was being detained we learned that his driver's license, car keys, and ID card.  The brothers are both teachers from Jenin.  They wanted to get to Jericho and then to Amman.  Presumably the car does not have a permit to pass the Hamra Checkpoint.  Instead of telling them to go back, they [the soldiers] took their keys and ID cards, and threatened to call the police... We telephoned for help and Danny and the Liaison and Coordination Administration said they would deal with the matter.  We exchanged telephone numbers and left.  The checkpoint was almost empty by that time.   We left at 13:50.  We continued to call every 15 minutes and heard that the car was meticulously checked.  They were allowed to cross at 16:00 and at the time of our last phone call at 17:00 they were on their way to Jericho.

Alon Road

Army tents are already visible on the hill where we saw army equipment and soldiers earlier. We can already see the new road beneath the houses on the ridge at the settlement of Maskiot.

We did not drive to Tayasir because we had other commitments.  We passed through the Bezek Checkpoint at 14:10.

During the afternoon hours a group of Mistaarvim who had their faces covered, protected by the Yasam, broke the office door of attorney Kaadan at Dahiat El Barid.

Within seconds Attorney Kaadan found himself on the floor with two rifles' barrels pointing at his head. His breath and complexion were back to normal only several hours after the attack.

The invaders dismantled the alarm system, sprayed black paint on the security cameras, inspected the files and cabinets and left the place after three hours and ten minutes.

The loot they took with them:
1. Two detainees (a person who works at the office and a client).
2. The office computers
3. The memory from the cameras and the alarm system.

Translator:  Charles K.

Part 1:  The entrance to Burin

As you know, the villageof Burin is exposed to harassment by settlers who invade its fields from all directions.  The cursed Har Bracha threatens from the east, Yitzhar’s thugs scheme from the west, while the youths of Gil’ad Farm are happy to join the festive burning of the olive trees.  The presence of Israelis during harvesting provides an insurance policy (only a very partial one, but if necessary they’ll at least be witnesses more easily able to come testify) against the attacks.  That’s why we agreed to Munir’s request, posted on the web, to help a resident of Huwwara whose groves are in Burin harvest his olives.

Rachel Afek, my spouse, Gid’on and I went in the morning to the villageof Burin, but were stopped by a roadblock at the entrance.  A second lieutenant from the paratroopers and three other soldiers ordered all the drivers to show documents, and us also.  But we were informed that Israelis weren’t allowed to enter the village.  “But,” we wondered, “the village is in Area B, and as members of Machsom Watch we come through here every week, and there’s absolutely no reason to prevent us from helping the Palestinians harvest olives.” but they don’t budge: “Orders from headquarters.”  We stood our ground and informed them that we know they have no right to stop us, unless they can show us an order from the GOC.  They didn’t have a GOC order.  Their phone call to headquarters brought a “final” answer from Dana – there’s no GOC order, but there’s an order from headquarters to prohibit entry to Israelis.  We didn’t back down and asked to speak with Dana.  Rachel called and again said we’re members of Machsom Watch, we come here every week, we came to help a Palestinian family harvest olives, and there’s absolutely no reason for us to give in.  Dana had no choice but to go ask someone…and returned with the answer that there’s no problem, and we can enter.  And so, after a delay of almost an hour, we finally entered the village - late, but at least feeling we hadn’t surrendered to the arbitrary imposition of prohibitions and unauthorized separations, and in pain at an additional distorting side effect of the occupation.

Part two:  Harvesting olives in Har Bracha’s accursed shadow

 Munir met us not far from the village entrance, along with the owners of the grove, members of the Ouda family:  Haj Bajis Salim Ouda, who looks 15 years younger than his age, 70; and two of his seven sons and five daughters – Mahmoud and ‘Abed.  “You won’t be able to get there by car,” they told us, so we left the car and got into the son’s rattling van.  The vehicle went up the hill on a narrow path between the boulders until it got stuck on one.  Gid’on, Munir and his brother were finally able to free it, though some parts were left dangling loosely.  We then went up another 300 meters, and the first thing we saw was a few dozen olive trees that had been burned completely, and beyond them more half-burned trees.  So, not more than 10-11 trees remained bearing fruit that could be harvested.  The Ouda family has another large grove, but the plot here on the hillside isn’t very big, some 40-50 trees, only a quarter of which weren’t burned.  Below the settlement of Har Bracha, right next to the outpost of Giv’at Ronen (an expansion of Har Bracha), we could see dry olive trees standing shamefully, whose owners don’t dare cultivate them.  That grove has already become occupied territory belonging to the illegal outpost.

The Ouda family’s grove is located on the side of the hill, about 100 meters below the Giv’at Ronen outpost.  On our way there, and in the grove, we walked through thorns, thistles and briars that came up to our knees.  You have to plow twice after the first rain, and at the end of the rainy season, to uproot them, but the army doesn’t allow it.  About four months ago the settler neighbors burned the trees.  A tractor that went to plow was also torched.  One of the settlers was sitting on a rock firing at it, enjoying himself.  Fortunately no one was hurt – it all happened on a day that had been coordinated with the army.  In other words – they can work their land with the army protecting them from hoodlums two days a year.  But even on these two days there’s really no protection.  They’re given an additional day each year to plow, but at a time when plowing is no longer possible.  Even on those few days each year where they coordinate and are promised protection – the hoodlums are those who control the area.  Today also – which had been coordinated in advance – no protection could be seen.  We were lucky that the pyromaniacs didn’t show up either.

The family members spread out their canvas cloths on the thistles and the three of us picked while the sons climbed the tree, picking from the upper branches.  The 70-year-old-father climbs to the treetop to saw off the tops of the trees that have been harvested.  At the same time, Munir cut back sharply the partly-burned branches, hoping they will bear fruit again in 4-5 years, if no one burns them again.  Thanks to the settlers we finished harvesting the remaining trees in a few hours and then had time to look at the lovely landscape of hills around us, on the Huwwara valley, the villages on the outskirts of Nablus, the checkpoint, the DCO and Awarta below us, and at the apartheid road on part of which Palestinians are now able to drive.  Then we went down to the family’s large grove located among the buildings of the village.

That grove looked very different.  The trees’ boughs and foliage spread wide and green, the ground beneath cleared and free of rocks.  The hoodlums don’t dare come here, our host said.  We met a number of the father’s daughters-in-law, and many children who clung to their grandfather.  They spread a cloth beneath one of the trees and piled delicacies of all kinds on it, crisp pitas, hummus, home-made goat cottage cheese, tuna, pickles and more.  Unfortunately, the women and children had already finished eating, and didn’t accede to our urging that they join us.  Only those who worked in the upper grove remained to eat.  After eating we said goodbye to the family and drove off.

This harvest day ended well, but the picture is unequivocal.  The army, which is supposed to be sovereign in the area, leaves the settler thugs in control.  Isn’t it the case that two days of coordination a year, during which there’s no protection either, and preventing plowing the land, constitutes cooperation with the settlers’ expropriations?

  8:45-12:45

Purpose of shift:  A meeting with Eid in order to arrange and prepare art/music activities at Huda’s

preschool, specifically, to prepare the first two meetings with the children.  We didn’t bring a camera this time because the purpose was to meet with Eid and focus on a music/art program for the preschool.  It was a decision we regretted. 

Road 317:

Several kilometers south of Suysia, between Samua and Ghuane, we saw a number of vehicles on both sides of the road: border police jeeps and cars most likely of the civil administration. There were also heavy equipment vehicles.  Workers in civilian dress were working on an electricity pole on the Samua side of the road.  Further from the road on the Ghuane side, local residents were distanced from the work area by the army (there were also news cameramen and reports from an Arab news network). We stopped to see what was going on.  The first soldiers we talked with, innocently it seems, told us that there is a problem with the electricity poles and Israel is removing them in order to replace them with something safer. Of course, everyone who is aware of the reality of life in the southern Hebron hills understands that is complete nonsense. After talking with the locals and the reporters, it was clear that the electricity poles provide electricity to Ghuane from Samua. Money from the European Union – perhaps from the Palestinian Authority - paid for the work which was done a year ago. As we watched, one of poles was removed and placed on a truck to remove it from the area. Now the residents of Ghuane have no electricity!  According to Eid, who we met afterwards, the use of high poles was not allowed, and then later they were told that the electrical lines were not high enough off the ground and therefore were dangerous. On our return about 3 hours later, it was impossible to identify where the work had taken place – all the poles had been taken down and removed.  As in the fictitious Macondo of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, all footprints were simply erased – very unfortunate that we did not bring a camera this time. 

Um-al-Khair

It turns out that this is an especially active day for the destruction of property.  In the morning, the army (border police) arrived together with the civil administration and workers and destroyed a number of structures (outhouse, a tent, a sukkah, and perhaps other things) – again we regretted not bringing a camera!.  Because most of the houses of Um-al-Khair that are located along the fence of Carmel is slated for destruction, the residents are very worried, including Eid.  His wife didn’t go to work (she is a teacher at a school in Khashem-al-Daraj).  She and Eid moved most of their belongings (including their two daughters) to his parents’ house because the workers who destroy the houses are not careful when they removed belongings from them.   It was Eid and his wife’s good luck that this time their house was not destroyed but they were notified that the workers would return in two weeks to continue their destructive work.  When we left in the morning, we joked about the possibility of finding a coffee house along the way where we could meet Eid – and it was our luck to find a house (Eid’s) and also good coffee prepared by his wife.   We were filled with admiration and respect for Eid that given the circumstance, he was insistent that the meeting take place as planned.  Not many people could maintain such calmness in this situation.

What is the purpose of all this destruction, moments before the impending events in the international area? – it is not clear.  Somebody really wants to heat up the situation.

Translation:  Suzanne O.

Id el Fitr – Festival.  Very few coming and going.

Habla, agricultural gate

7:25 a.m. 

A vehicle is parked.  Many soldiers are present.  4 people leave the inspection building, dressed in their 'Sunday best', "Going to the Police Station" (?)  7 minutes later the roadblock gate opens and the parked car goes on its way.  The reason for the vehicle being held up is a mistake in the vehicle licence number in the driver's permit so they had to wait for the vehicle owners to arrive and take it across.

There is light traffic to and from the roadblock of cars, a tractor and people.  The gate will remain open until 9:00 a.m., open again at 12:00 p.m., until 1:00 p.m. and in the evening from 5:45 p.m., until 7:00 p.m.

Eliyahu Crossing

6:05 a.m. 

Clear on both sides.

Azzun

8:10 a.m. 

The yellow iron barrier in the village is open.  Youngsters sitting near it said that everything is fine, no problems.

Jayyus

8:25 a.m. 

The shops are closed, there are no people around.  It rained the whole night and now it is just drizzling.

We heard about a new Shabak commander, his name is Rafik, (we wonder if his ethnic group gets privileges for his devoted service) and he sets up a spot roadblock [once every few days, several times a day] at the entrance to the village.  He takes young boys of 14, 15, 16 into the Shabak cars and coax them to become informers through threats or enticement (I'll give you a work permit and entrance to Israel – promises he obviously cannot fulfil at his level) so that they co-operate with the Shabak and inform on the inhabitants.  Using suitable pressure it is possible to get information even if it is lies but this makes no difference to the Shabak, and then they frighten us saying there are warnings.  (See the article published today in the newspaper Ha'aretz about Zigmunt Bauman ' Israelis are afraid of Peace'.)  The inhabitants complain of looting of 9600 dunams which were plundered including 7 wells for the settlement Zufin, close to Kibbutz Ayal, Kokhav Yair and Tsur Natan.  The council was informed that the fence will be moved westward and they will returne2600 dunams, plus one well only, to be divided between the other adjacent villages: Kafr Jammal and Falamiya.

For them to get to their lands in order to work them there is only one gate (927) at Jayyus, which opens for just half an hour three times a day.  The location of the gate takes up a lot of their time getting to their lands.

We drove to Falamiya via Kafr Jammal.  The roads are empty, the shops are closed.  We reached gate 919 at Falamiya.

We met the head of the village at the dividing fence (a Hadj (pilgrim) who has been to Mecca 4 times) who hosted us.  On the security system  road two vehicles drive up and down, they observe us and report on their wireless.  Gate 919 opens just for the olive picking season 3 times a day: 5:00 – 5:30 a.m., 12:00 – 12:30 p.m., and 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.  The final time should be noted: this is when it is still possible to return to the village – there is still plenty of light and much work to do for the olive picking.  We recommend going to the gate during the olive picking season to check on the conditions for crossing while it is functioning.

We drove to see the agricultural gate at Falamiya, gate no. 927.  The gate is open for cars and agricultural machinery.  The inhabitants who have lands beyond the fence must, each period (a month, two months, three, a year – depending on the preference of those allotting permits) request crossing permits at the gate and they can cross only via this gate to their lands, even if prolongs their journey greatly.

We returned via Kur, Baqat al Hatab, Hajja to Al Funduq. At Al Funduq there is heavy traffic and the shops are open.

We drove on Road 5066 in the direction of Emanuel and saw a roadblock at the exit from Haris and a queue of about 10 cars which didn't move at all for some 5 minutes.  We went over and, after the roadblock commander confirmed who we are, the queue moved quickly and disappeared.  One of the drivers told us that he had waited half an hour "just for nothing".  It would be worthwhile for us to turn up there from time to time.

Our recommendation:  to set up patrols on the roads between the villages. 

Translation:  Suzanne O.

Za'tara/Tapuach Junction

9:30 a.m. 

In contrast with previous Saturdays there are no police or soldiers at the junction.  There is heavy traffic.

 Huwwara roadblock

10:15 a.m. 

The roadblock, which was closed last week for repairs, is open for traffic.

The soldiers and the police we are used to seeing on Saturdays are not here now.

As usual: heavy traffic.

Awarta roadblock

10:30 a.m. 

The yellow barrier is closed again and it is very quiet here, as if the extremely heavy traffic of the previous weeks was a figment of our imagination.

Beit Furik roadblock

11:00 a.m. 

There are no soldiers at the roadblock.  We drove a little further and didn't see any soldiers on the continuation of the road to Nablus, which we sometimes do.

On Road 60 my colleague suggested that we drive into Yitzhar (or perhaps it was Gilad's farm?)  "Why shouldn't we go in when there is such a large sign outside saying 'Welcome'?"

It sounded so reasonable when she said it… perhaps another time, not on Saturday.

We drove by Jit, Al Funduq, Jinsafut, Azzun – and saw not one military jeep.  It appeared to be very quiet.

Farmers set up stalls at the side of the road; we stopped to buy fruit and vegetables from them.

At Eliahu Crossing the password 'Tel Aviv' opens the crossing immediately, ID cards are not inspected.

Guests: Shahar, Pu’ah and Arye

Translator:  Charles K.

 day of despair, even more than usual.

Meitar crossing

The Palestinian side is empty at this time, except for peddlers and people who aren’t allowed to enter Israel – it’s not clear why they keep coming.

There’s a lot of mess and filth everywhere.

As soon as we arrive, people approach us with notices from the police and from the Shin Bet that they’re not allowed to enter Israel and ask for our assistance.  We again explain that Sylvia will try to help them if they send her all the relevant documents.  Another referral to Chaya Ofek, and again we think there may be some people whom we can help to some degree.

Route 317

We decided to visit two sad, despairing places:  the first, people living next to the settlement of Sussia, the second, the residents of Bir el Eid, at the foot of Ya’akov Talya’s farm and the illegal settlement of Mizpeh Ya’ir.

Sussiya

Tents and sheds belonging to people who have deeds to the land dating from the Turkish period are scattered next to the attractive, thriving settlement.

Civil Administration personnel know about these deeds, and ignore them.  They’re permitting the settlers to abuse and harass these people, preventing them from grazing their flocks, plowing, planting, etc.

We sat in the tents’ shade.  The women smile and serve tea made with water from one of the jerrycans in which a little water is stored. “The owner,” in excellent Hebrew learned during 25 years working in Israel, tells us for the umpteenth time about his conflicts with the settlers, the police and the army, who always show up after the settlers have already plowed (at 1 AM), and “seem” to separate the sides and calm things down.  An “Israelbluff,” for the glory of the state of Israel.  “Look at the electrical cables,” he says to us.  “Look at the water pipes, all of them pass right by me and I’m not allowed to touch them, I can’t use them.  I can’t obtain electricity or water.”  A few almond trees and grape vines are planted next to olive groves and hothouses.  A small pen of goats, which also contains chickens, rabbits and doves, all of them gathered together, faint from the heat.  All the “residences” look the same, all are the same size, the ones for people as well as those for animals.  Staff from the Villages Group and international organizations installed wind turbines and photoelectric solar cells to generate electricity for the residents.  The poles carrying high-tension lines through their land provide electricity only to the “lords of the land.”  These inhabitants are “transparent.”  Suddenly police and military vehicles arrive.  The man we’re speaking with apologizes and hurries to talk with them.  “They came because I called them,” he says.  “Yesterday we were attacked again; they tried to expel us.”  We might be in the way.  We leave.

Bir el Eid

Approximately 90 people live in tents scattered in the valley between Mitzpeh Ya’ir (an illegal outpost) and Ya’akov Talya’s farm.  They say they’re only allowed to live in the caves.  They’re not permitted to erect a single tent or shack.  But the caves are small, and not appropriate for human habitation, so they’ve used cloth sheeting to erect tent-like structures.  Between 2009 and yesterday they’ve received 17 warning notices.  Their case is being handled by attorneys with the help of Rabbis for Human Rights.  The Civil Administration, knowing that the court will issue an order forbidding demolition until it reaches a decision, beat it by a day, and yesterday backhoes, bulldozers, soldiers and civilians arrived, demolished the structures and removed everything of value.  We saw the injunction, which came a few hours too late…  The Red Cross arrived, provided thin white tents, mattresses, water, etc.  There – the encampment exists once again.  They say the tents aren’t appropriate for the weather or for their needs.  We hope they’ll be able to get their goods back.  A list of what was taken has been given to the attorneys.

The inhabitants recount the brutal behavior of those who removed them, Civil Administration personnel and the army.  Again the same sight, Ya’akov Talya, his wife, his four children and his mother on the hill above, seven people living in attractive buildings.  His large barn and stables are visible, the water pipe leading to the compound, and the electrical pole.  Until someone decides otherwise, he gets everything a person needs.  The same is true at Mitzpeh Ya’ir, they have everything they need, while their neighbors are entitled to nothing.  Our hosts ask, “That all happened yesterday, and it wasn’t on the news?!  Wasn’t in the paper?”  Why should it be in the paper?!  Had one of those being thrown out defended themselves by attacking a soldier, “they” would have been written and published about.  But who cares about “them”?

We feel very ashamed and despairing, promise to write about it and publicize it as best we can.  That’s what it’s like in the southern Hebron hills, arbitrariness and evil, arrogance and obtuseness.

Hebron

Construction of the magnificent “Derekh HaBanim” at the entrance to Kiryat Arba has been completed, as well as the Nofei Mamreh neighborhood. 

Signs of life again at Mitzpeh Avihai on the hill to the right.

We also see adults and children again moving around at the Federman farm.

The Giv’ati soldiers have left.  Flags of the Kfir regiment wave in the wind.

Many tourists at both entrances to the Cave of the Patriarchs.

A large group of soldiers on Shuhada Street – the younger members of the regiment – leaving the historical museum of the Hebron Jewish community. They heard explanations that will help them to better serve the homeland.

We wonder whether anyone also explains to them why the street is deserted and why all the shops are closed.

Border Police soldiers man all the checkpoints near the Cave of the Patriarchs. They stop people briefly and immediately let them through. A guy with a watermelon at Curve 160 – both are inspected. The watermelon is also ok. Soldiers man the other checkpoints. Everything seems quiet.

Sansana-Meitar

Around 1:50 p.m. We noticed a line of workers with large sacks on their backs so we decided to check things out: They passed very quickly. We were accosted at the entrance to the crossing area by a man who has never had a permit but had submitted a request via Sylvia P who hadn't got back to him yet. Despite our inability to help he offered us refreshments and someone asked if we would like to cross the checkpoint. Apparently this is a meeting place for the unemployed and they feel rather at home here.

Route 60

fairly quiet and completely open till we reached the Sheep Checkpoint where we found ourselves in a parallel universe:

A large military vehicle had stopped a car with a man  from Yatta. The soldiers had never heard of MachsomWatch, nor were they interested in hearing now, but nevertheless permitted us to stand and watch a little theater of the absurd that played itself out before our eyes.
The suspect had a  fringed garment worn by religious men under or over their clothes in his car. Settlers tend to leave the fringes dangling demonstratively. A fringed garment (Tzizith) but no Jew? Very suspicious. The suspect claimed he'd found the garment in the rubbish and used it as a duster. A young staff sergeant said "we've seen this kind of thing before unfortunately". A second suspect now appeared from the shadow of the miliary vehicle and an officer with the rank of captain ordered the sergeant to take the suspects' telephones, smilingly assuring us that these would be returned. Which they were. The Blue police then arrived (only clad in black like Mussolini's bodyguard) and Yali heard them say to release the men but to keep tabs on them for the future.
Personal details were duly recorded, the Tzizith removed with shock and awe and we all went our separate ways.  Was the man planning on a disguise as a settler to bring shame and disgrace on the Jews? Or did he wish to use it as a duster as a subversive act? Or did he rob some poor settler and leave him fringeless in an orchard?
 

Hebron

We proceeded to Occupied Hebron which was routinely quiet(one or two more shops open than usual) and then in a subversive act of our own went on to free Hebron which appears to be prospering nicely and ate knafe in honour of the newly born Rami. Then home via Dura and Dahariyeh where, in a further act of civil disobedience, we stopped off for tea and shared a nargileh. As we were leaving a man approached us with yet another request with help for a permit: all we could do was to give him Sylvia P.'s no and that of the Moked.