We arrived in the Jordan Valley at 05:30 to provide protective presence and accompany shepherds. After dividing into teams, we set out for Al-Farisiyah.

The shepherds A., B., and L. from Al-Farisiyah, currently staying in Ein al-Sakut, and Sh. from Al-Farisiyah Ahmir, near Givat Sal’it, grazed their flocks calmly. The sheep had abundant food in the stubble fields of barley and corn.

Also, both our accompaniment of  a farmer from Bardala for irrigation and melon harvesting, as well as maintaining a protective presence in Al-Farisiyah passed without interference from settlers.

Between 10:30 and 14:00, we accompanied K.’s cattle in Wadi Shaq, three kilometers from Al-Farisiyah. Settler Gilad and his friends sometimes arrive there during the week to scatter the herd and drive it away, but this time the grazing was undisturbed

In the afternoon, around 17:00, several youths in white shirts were seen descending from the settlement of Maskiyot. Unlike previous occasions, they did not enter the family residential areas and did not harass the shepherds or their families. Two 17-year-old boys from the settlement of Rotem, who had apparently been visiting friends in Maskiyot, were riding their donkeys back toward Rotem. On their way, they entered the vicinity of Al-Farisiyah homes and crossed the path. They offered a half-apology, claiming it was a mistake, yet continued up to the observation hut overlooking the village.

They continued to fake innocence, but it was clear they aimed to intimidate residents. They later moved down toward Maskiyot’s solar panels, and we kept close watch, fearing they might cause damage. One of our volunteers, Sol—who tutors struggling students through his National Service—tried unsuccessfully to engage them in conversation. The boys said, “All Arabs want to destroy us, and it’s important to make them leave and clear the Land of Israel, which belongs only to Jews.” Sol was deeply shaken: if they think this way at 17, what will happen in two or three years…

Eventually they left around 19:00, but their words left behind a sense of unease. That unease turned to fear later that night.

At 22:00, Gilad from the outpost Tene Yarok near Al-Farisiyah, together with Bentzi from Maskiyot and two others, gathered in the observation hut above the village. They drank large amounts of beer and wine, throwing and rolling bottles noisily toward the residents’ homes. The people of Al-Farisiyah awoke in fear. With residents’ consent, we called the police. Officer Gideon arrived after about 40 minutes, listened to our report, and then went to speak with the settlers. They claimed they were “just sitting quietly and not disturbing anyone.” The officer accepted their version, did not remove them, and left.

The settlers remained, continuing to make noise and intimidate the residents. Only at 01:30 am did they leave. One of their cars deliberately drove along the lower village path with its headlights off, clearly to harass A., whose family lives there.

Their intimidation had the desired effect. When our night shift ended at 05:30, before the morning shift arrived, women from the village came to us anxiously asking when the next team would arrive. We reassured them the morning team would be there by 06:00.

In the Jordan Valley, not a single day passes in complete peace. The residents’ sense of insecurity grows steadily, day by day.