After the bad events in Masafer Yatta, which we recently reported along with reports of other peace activists, Raya thought it appropriate to attract more attention and to interest Galia Oz.

We started the tour at the Meitar checkpoint. Once again we saw that the breach in the fence was open and a large number of the illegal workers pass through unhindered.

Wadi Radim: Abu Safi and his picturesque personality have always delighted visitors. Once again he tells of the settler Israel Kaplan who abuses him and his neighbors, when they take their flocks in their own fields near his farm which stands alone not far from Mitzpe Asael. One has to ask how this Kaplan has received permission to have a farm all on his own. One of his daughters, Rania, is a talented painter. It would be a wonderful thing if she could study painting now that she has finished her studies. If anyone has an idea how to help her both we and the family would love to hear it ..

A-Tuwani: That was the main reason for this shift – to meet Nasser, Basel and Adara and to hear again and see what they have been going through in recent weeks when they are subjected to attacks by mostly settlers from Havat Maon. Once again, Nasser tell us of  the settlers’ attempts to make their lives so difficult that they will leave the place. Again we saw how close their homes were to the settlement of Maon. According to the Palestinians, they guard at night for fear that the settlers will come to set fire to their property again. (At the time of writing this report, about ten days after the visit, we already know of an incident from last Saturday (yesterday) where tents were burnt, people were shot at and two people injufred, with the IDF present and doing nothing to prevent this rampage).

The problem of attempts to cause  the population to leave has intensified in recent months. We will continue to be there, to report and try to interest the media.