Ein al-Hilwe: Settlers continue to circle round the houses and animal pens
07:00 Al-Farisiya
Natalie and I arrived at Al-Farisiya and joined the volunteers, who were already there, for our first coffee of the day. At 8:00, everyone left for their own morning shift. Two volunteers went to help M with the corn harvest. Another went with L to Ein a-Sakut. He picked corn for his pens as well. The last two volunteers accompanied Al-Farisiya’s flocks, and I went with S’s flocks to Ein al-Hilwe. Everyone had a quiet morning.
At 11:00 o’clock I went to F’s house and accompanied him to the spring for his cows to drink.
Around midday, the volunteers met up again at Al-Farisiya. Three of them went home and the remaining six got organized for the afternoon activity, knowing that as happens on most Saturdays, troublemakers from Maskiyot would show up. At 14:00, an ATV turned up at Humsah. It drove as close as possible to the flock of sheep belonging to one of the shepherds, evidently in order to scare them, but it continued on its way and no incidents were recorded.
At 14:45, four settlers from Maskiyot came down to Ein al-Hilwe and went in the direction of S’s compound. One group roamed around between the houses, with a volunteer watching them and checking what they were doing. The other group went towards the animal pens and I followed to make sure they wouldn’t try to open one of them, like they did not long ago.
One of the settlers managed to steal a phone from one of the houses and disappeared without being seen and we were unable to stop him. S and his family members refused to call the police. They already know they won’t do anything and may even cause them further problems.
At 17:00 the afternoon shift of volunteers went home. There were only two left in the whole area – a woman in Al-Farisiya and me, at F’s in Ein al-Hilwe.
At 17:30, settlers went past K’s houses and positioned themselves above them, at a lookout point. I joined K and remained with the family and together we kept an eye on the settlers until they left. At which point, I went back to F’s, where what F, who is proud of his wife, said “the tastiest makluba in the Valley” was waiting for me
In the evening another volunteer arrived and slept at S’s.
The night passed quietly, perhaps thanks to the hard rain that suddenly covered the area.
Location Description
'Ein al-Hilwe
See all reports for this place-
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.
-
Al-Farisiya / 'Ein a-sakut
See all reports for this place-
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.
-
Humsah
See all reports for this place-
Humsah
A shepherd community in the Jordan Valley. It is located in a remote place in Area C. There are no convenient ways to reach it. Its inhabitants make a living from their flocks. Like other shepherd communities, they live without basic infrastructure. This shepherd community is exposed to settler harassment and demolition of property by the military through civil administration orders.
Nurit PopperDec-16-2027Nurit is threatened by settlers from close range.
-