The situation in the Palestinian Jordan Valley is quiet before the coming storm. More and more fences are erected to block Palestinian passage among roads or to their own grazing grounds. Checkpoints are closed for hours. There is severe shortage of water, rain, food, security. Violence of colonists-soldiers-police against helpless locals grows exceedingly. Everything is shitty. 

We began with M. and H. at Hamra. It’s always nice to come and see all that can be done with vision, imagination and thought. In M.’s strawberry greenhouses a new fruit season begins. One awaits the cold in order to produce fruit more energetically. The greenhouse is large and amazing in its quality. Almost pharmaceutical. Too bad I didn’t take a picture.

We had morning coffee, saw the pictures in H.’s studio. Were glad to hear she teaches art at an Al Auja school. We unloaded packages, passed a bag that survived in an Israeli prison and goes back to a released prisoner in the area. Thanks to Sylvia!

We continued to Ain Hilwa, accompanied the cattle flock of shepherd Z. while crossing the road, as well as the cattle of F. from the south. The stream runs from the hills in the west and reaches the small ravine where the cattle drinks twice a day. They need accompaniment for fear that colonists would come and harass the shepherds in their work. Twice a day.

We continued to Hamam al Malih, toured the kindergarten and school with the new principal. Only few pupils came, after the hurried escape of families of the area in the latest period of violence. The kindergarten us nice and filled with equipment, but considerable humidity makes itself felt in the walls. The place needs upkeep. The principal asks us for help.

We continued to the new family living near the kindergarten, whose acquaintance I made lately. At their request, we brought them many diapers for their disabled daughter. With God’s help… There is no help with disabled children in this area. In addition, M. shows us the houses the two brothers built near the parental home which was demolished by the army in June 2023.

From there we drove to Farisiya, where the group of accompaniers gathered under the tree, or at A.’s place. The children were activated. We net A. after returning from the time they spent around Ain al Beda. He is broken body and soul. He tells us about the attack and blows he received from soldiers a week ago, as they confiscated his car for a reason invented on the spot (the car’s roof carried iron rods serving to erect structures for the sheep and who were now being returned home).

He says he was taken to the Bardala area, beaten up in all parts of body, a cigarette put out on his back, and they wanted to throw him into a reservoir there. Finally, they left him. He already forces everything – the car, the rods. “But why do they beat me up?”

How could we console him? What could we say?

In Samara we faced the sheep disease. This week they received vaccines after a financing source was found. There is a vaccine to further prevent the disease. They cope with impossible expenses financing food and water for themselves and the children. The received new pants from someone who brought them to me.

We continued to Khalat Makhoul, unloading gear for the three families.

We totaled 5 cups of tea and coffee each that day.

On our way home, we took a picture of one of the longest vehicle convoys I had ever seen there, reaching from Hamra all the way to the Jiftlik. Drivers said the checkpoint had been closed during the former 2 days, and they think the checkpoint is going to be moved more inland to the Ain Shibli area. This will heap more hardships on people travelling in the rea.

I spare you the two videos of the cars waiting in line.