Tuesday, April 15, 2025 night shift in Al-Farisiya

Ariel and I arrived around 7 p.m. for a night shift. We were welcomed by Saul who was already staying there for a few days. We sat with the inhabitants for a while, talked, drank tea, but received a call at 9 p.m. from Q., one of the Ein Al-Hilwe shepherds and drove to him immediately.

Apparently about 10 settlers sat in the arbor overlooking his encampment. The house inhabitants were very afraid so we remained with them. About a quarter of an hour later, settlers (probably students of the Maskiyot yeshiva) left and walked up to the outpost on the other side of the road.

We were only three that evening so we all stayed overnight in Al-Farisiya which has little children and families. We explained this to Ein Al-Hilwe inhabitants who begged us to stay there overnight. They are constantly afraid of the settlers who walk around their community freely and there is no knowing when and how they choose to attack and hurt people and/or livestock. We asked them to call us if any danger comes up and we’ll be there right away. The distance between Ein Al-Hilwe and Al-Farisiya is a 7-minute drive.

The night passed with no interruption in both places, but the fear of settlers who might come keeps them awake every night.

Woe for such a life.

Wednesday, April 16^th

At 6:30 a.m. I was taken by Ariel and Saul to the bus stop near Mekhola colony from which I went to Jerusalem and from there to Tel Aviv. I reached safety but heavy-hearted with the fear for the Jordan Valley’s shepherds and their families who live in constant dread of settlers violence.