AM
South Hebron 22/4/2004 Watchers: Laika, Meira B., Sarit H. (reporting) We left the Shoket junction at 6.30. We passed a police checkpoint a km after Meytar, a few cars waited there. Five km after Meytar we passed an army checkpoint. We were stopped there and asked where we are heading to and who we are. We told them that we belong to MachsomWatch, a human rights organization. We continued to El Fawar. Contrary to our expectations (last Tuesday night, the army shot and killed a man at El Fawar), there were no roadblocks or fleeting checkpoints, and there were no pedestrians or cars in the area. We drove to the Sheep Junction (Hebron–Yata road), stepped out the car (7.10) and stood a few meters away 4 soldiers (Lavi Division) and a Hummer (car plate #: 703811). Two of the soldiers approached us and asked who we are and what are we doing there, but after that they continued their activities. As we arrived there two young men were delayed but they were released after 5 minutes. Yata is on the right side of the road, and people cross the road to Hebron. The access to Hebron is blocked and pedestrians have to climb to the mounts of stones and soil to cross over. An old man could hardly do his way from Hebron to Yata and a woman could hardly carry her baby. Another Hummer arrived at 7.30 with a commander (plate number 6113513). He and another soldier approached us, and spoke to us for a few minutes, expressing their concerns about our security, as the area has been not quiet. A few days ago, there was some shooting and Molotov cocktails were thrown. The commander and the soldiers were friendly, and they did not interrupt the pedestrians’ movement while we were there. At 7.30 three more young men were delayed, but released at 7.45. The soldiers left at 8.45. As there were no special events and no pedestrians, we left at 8.50.
Hebron
See all reports for this place-
According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.
Checkpoints observed in H2:
- Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
- Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
- The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
- Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station
Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs
Leah ShakdielApr-8-2025Hebron: A sign advertising a tempting real estate
-
