Ein El Hilweh: Today Kadri’s home was demolished and his life is in ruins. Why?
We were supposed to be taking part in “protective presence” in Farsiya. On our way there I emptied used clothing and other items from the car at Adel, Fatchi, and Zinab’s home in Ein al Hilweh.
At the time I am writing this I am crying over the destruction of the home of Kadri and his family – all of whom live in the same area. This was done by the settlers. The family consists of four brothers and a sister who have divided the junction into five sections. One section contains the spring that has been taken over by the settlers, and the others are inhabited by their children and grandchildren. Abraham and Isaac, our forefathers, would feel they had a lot more in common with them than with us.
This morning the settlers demolished the section belonging to Kadri. These are people that we have known for years, and they have lived there since 1967 after wandering for many years. They raised children and grandchildren there. All of them are herdsmen. They have suffered greatly at the hands of the country, the army, and the settlers and I am heartbroken for them. Despite the poverty they have remained in this place since the Yom Kippur War. They have raised children, married and lived in the area ever since. How have we reached the bulldozer where a bulldozer is sent to destroy people’s homes?
When we arrived at Farsiya we found the place deserted. Most of the family had gone to visit the parents’ home in the village and the men were out with the flocks in Sakut. Fathiya, the grandmother, was with us and she could finally rest from her endless work, and her husband who is sick. In the upper area of Farsiya live the parents and another woman and her children. The rest of the family were not there. We worked to make the place a little more comfortable. It was very hot but there was a cool breeze under a tree. Other volunteers had gone to accompany Fathi to the spring while the settlers were not there. They then continued to Sakut to guard the shepherds. It was a bit strange that we were there while they were away, but we were evidently needed to ensure that other Jews did not come with a bulldozer to demolish their home. Two other volunteers arrived and there is always someone there to guard the family.
I then went to Khalat Makhul to visit the family there and then to buy ice cream and candy in Ein Bida.
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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