A visit to Rahat
South Hebron Hills and a visit to the Bedouin city of Rahat
This was an afternoon shift. At Mitar checkpoint a sluggish stream of workers returning home for the end of Fast meal. Only a few “yellow” (Palestinian servis taxis) taxis and people were trying to grab rides with any passing vehicle, many of whom did oblige. Route 60 was busy mostly with Palestinian vehicles, it seems the Israelis are home during these hours. On Route 317, relatively lively traffic, although light for all that. Its an area of settlements and very poor Palestinian villages as well as the town of Yatta. The Israelis on this road, once again were scarcely to be seen.
We were invited by H.G. a member of Standing Together, the national movement for social and political change to visit three poor neighbourhoods in the Bedouin town of Rahat: Al Median, Alsanabal and Compound 28. HG is the founder and director of a charity “Ibn AlHaritan” (Sons of the Neighbourhoods) which provides informal educational and cultural activities for residents of the three neighbourhoods which are the “periphery” of Rahat. The neighbourhoods are home to 3000 people and although they are part of the town the conditions are closer to those of an unrecognized village: there is no electricity and no running water. We heard from the residents about their frustration and anger at the difficult conditions. We have meanwhile been informed by M.C., another member of Standing Together that the area is designated as a park for the benefit of all citizens of the town and that the residents have been offered solutions to their plight, some of which have been rejected by some, but not all, residents. Negotiations continue in the hope of reaching an agreement. This report cannot provide an in-depth analysis of the situation and we are reporting what we heard from two, known and credible, sources. It must be remembered that the Municipality of Rahat can propose, initiate, and plan but the notorious Authority for the regulation of Bedouin Settlement which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, is the final arbiter of what actually takes place. Please note that Rahat is expanding rapidly, there is a shortage of lots for building new houses and a lack of open communal spaces. Residents of the three neighbourhoods mentioned are also caught within that situation. We were joined on the visit by members of Standing Together MW and the Forum for Coexistence (N.G. S.B.R.D. D.D.)
Meitar checkpoint / Sansana
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Meitar Checkpoint / Sansana The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO / DCL / DCL / DCL (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit. In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded. Updated April 2022
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South Hebron Hills
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South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.Since the beginning of the 1980s, many settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with withholding water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.
There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Roadblocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Updated April 2022
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