Jordan Valley: Palestinian farmers live in fear and helplessness around the clock
Saturday, April 19th 2025
We were a large group consisting of 16 men and women and we managed to escort the shepherds largely without any incidents. This was because the rioters and thugs known as the “hill boys” had all gone home for the Passover holiday, and a rare quiet descended on the valley.
We accompanied N from Al-Mukasar in the morning and the afternoon with a break at noon in Al-Farisiya. We met their families, with whom we already have a close relationship. We escorted A. in Al-Farisiya until we reached a distant spring where the flock could drink. We remained there to provide protection. At Ein al-Hilwe we escorted F.’s herd of cows as well as Z’s flock of sheep to a riverbed where there was still green grass.
A small incident occurred there. S. crossed the Alon road with her flock to a place where there was still some green grass. Within 15 minutes the security officer from the settlement of Maskiyot appeared and demanded that she leave, claiming that the land belonged to Maskiyot. The maps that we had with us showed otherwise, but the shepherdess, who had been told that she would be fined NIS 3,000 if she was found there again, preferred to cross back to the other side of the road. There was very little grass there. Presently a vehicle belonging to the border patrol appeared, The escorts attempted to talk to the policemen who answered politely that they did not know whether the land belonged to Maskiyot or whether it was a military shooting area.
At any rate the shepherds had already understood that they did not have many possibilities, and operate their own military censorship. They also know that we have little power, because of the government’s policy and don’t allow themselves to be overly optimistic. However, our presence does offer them some security. They know that they are not alone, and that we are able to argue with the settlers without being arrested and hear the settlers’ lies and remain polite.
We also escorted H. from Khalet Makhul without being disturbed.
We went out to the pasture again in the afternoon. The herd of cows were taken to Ein al-Hilwe to drink. The students from the preparatory course in Maskiyot often come there and attempt to prevent the herd from approaching the water, but today we enjoyed the quiet and the cool westerly breeze.
However, not a day passes without a reminder of the foul deeds of the ”masters of the land”. At 7:00 in the evening we received a phone call from a shepherd in Humsa Elite informing us that Neriya, the owner of the farm, threatened to kill him the next morning. We arranged to meet the shepherd early the next morning to hear what was going on and to think about what to do.
At 8:00 PM a farmer arrived from Bardla who owned 50 acres planted with sweet potatoes, eggplants, and other vegetables. He reported that the settlers had established an extremely violent outpost and a week ago when he and his workers went out to harvest the vegetables armed settlers arrived and threatened them and they were forced to leave. He asked for our help and explained that his crop was worth a quarter of a million Shekels and asked us to guard him. We promised to make plans to protect him and escort him during the harvest.
At 10:00 PM the night shift of escorts arrived, and we prepared ourselves to guard in Ein al-Hilwe and Al-Farsiya. The night was quiet and there were no incidents
Sunday, April 20th
At first light two women escorts went to Humsa Elite. The shepherd who lived at the encampment with another three families related the story again; Neriya who lives in the nearby settlement over the hill arrived and demanded that he return iron that he claimed he had stolen from him. If the stolen iron was not returned by the following morning he advised him to pray to God because he would kill him. All this was recorded on video. We left phone numbers and told him that if Neriya or anyone else arrived he should call us immediately. Meanwhile in the evening we returned home. Neriya arrived and fired his gun in the air. A group of escorts arrived and remained to sleep there because the farmer and two other families were extremely fearful. It appears that we will have to begin to remain there as protection.
A group of escorts arrived there on Sunday to meet with the farmer from Bardla, view the place, and determine what the threat was. They informed the army about the settlers’ threats. On Monday two volunteers were sent there to protect the farmer in case the settlers attacked.
This is the life for farmers in the valley; Fear and helplessness 24 hours a day. They never know what the next minute will bring. It is difficult to describe the feelings. I thought about terrifying stories of Ukrainian thugs who cut off the Jews’ beards and earlocks.
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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Humsah
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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 PopperJul-7-2025Olive trees, many of them ancient, are dumped along the road to the Ma'ale Levona settlement
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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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