The Jordan Valley – 'Protective Presence' and Family Visits
We began this cloudy day by hoping for rain, which fell in Farsiya and drizzling in Khalat Makhul. People who did not manage to cover their bundles of hay suffered damage.
We went to water the cows in the spring of Ein El Hilweh and visited K. in the field where his home had been demolished. In the meantime he has put up a small tent that includes a sleeping area and kitchen, and a diwan – a tent for receiving guests with the sofas and chairs that were saved. They have a court order that forbids further demolition until a specific date that is in the near future, so meanwhile they are not attempting to rebuild. The remains of their previous home have not yet been removed.
We distributed clothing and everything that we had brought to families in the area.
Occasionally a settler appears in Farsiya, which is guarded by the escorts. He makes noise with his ATV and then disappears and comes back. Last night he snuck in and opened the faucet on one of the family’s water tanks without anyone noticing.
Smotrich’s ATVs are constantly driving around the area, disrupting and sniffing around.
We spent a pleasant hour with the children from the Dragma family in Farsiya. We then continued to distribute tuition to students in Samara, Ein Hilweh, and Samra.
Fences have been built along the Alon Route on one or both sides of the road. The fences do not allow the shepherds to cross from one side to the other with their flocks.
There was a traffic jam in both directions near the Hamra Checkpoint.
Location Description
'Ein al-Hilwe
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Ein al-Hilwe is a natural spring and a Palestinian grazing area in the Jordan Valley that was used by the Palestinian shepherd communities for watering their flocks and for daily use. As of 2021, settlers from the Maskyot settlement took control of the spring: they fenced it off, built a wading pool and a mikveh, and installed flags and recreational facilities.
Palestinians are effectively denied access to the spring, and are forced to make do with running water in a remote wadi or, when the road is blocked, buy water from vendors at high prices.
The spring is located in the heart of an area where illegal outposts are being established, as part of a broader trend of pushing Palestinian communities away by denying them access to essential resources. Neighboring communities such as Umm Jamal and Khirbet Samra have already left due to the pressure.
Over the years, MachsomWatch members have reported arrests on false claims by settlers, harassment and violence, including damage to herds, intrusion into homes, and the intimidation of children. MachsomWatch volunteers participate in a protective presence in areas around the spring to prevent harassment of shepherds due to the presence of settlers.
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Al-Farisiya / 'Ein a-sakut
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Al-Farisiya / 'Ein a-sakutA community of shepherds in the Jordan Valley opposite the settlement of "Rotem". Making a living from grazing sheep, the residents are exposed to harassment, abuse and theft from settlers who come to them from outposts and settlements in the area, and their grazing area is shrinking due to settler takeovers, fire zones and declared nature reserves.Machsom Watch companies participate in shepherd escort activities and provide a 24/7 protective presence, and there is continuous and warm contact with the community.
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Khalet Makhul
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Khalet Makhul
A small settlement of a shepherd community located on the way to the settlement of Hemdat. Two nearby outposts make life miserable for the Palestinians, who make a living from grazing, and the army backs the settlers. As a result, the possible grazing areas are getting smaller.
The local children attend school in the settlement of Ein Al-Beida. Long lines of 3 hours sometimes stretch out at the Hamra and Tayasir checkpoints leading to the town of Tubas, making it difficult to get water, supplies, and sell the cheese, milk, and meat that the residents produce for their living.
Following a deadly attack at the Tayasir checkpoint in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being.
(Updated March 2025)
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