Highway 446, Kafr ad Dik, ‘Azzun ‘Atma

·      13:20  We took Highway 446 which also leads to Kafr ad Dik and Bruqin.  We hadn’t driven on this road for a few months.  The changes are dramatic, contrary to the report in Ha’aretz that there’s more talk about building in the settlements than actual construction.  The additional construction on the ridge northwest of Highway 446 is obvious.  A neighborhood under construction between Bruqhin and Alei Zahav has been completed, including charming red roofs.  The expansion of Alei Zahav toward Deir Ballut and beyond to the settlement of Leshem. is progressing rapidly

One day during the olive harvest three years ago our Palestinian host pointed to lands belonging to him and others from Kafr ad Dik on which a new, still-unpaved road was being laid and where tractors and other signs of construction were visible.

Today, from the road down to Deir Ballut, you can see Leshem on that land, an attractive locality, single-family homes, internal roads and a few cars and trailers, evidence that the place is settled.  Across the way there are dozens more buildings under construction in the Padu’el settlement, on the slope near the road.

14:00  Kafr ad Dik.  After a long absence we came to visit our friend from the ad `Dik family and bring them clothes and other items to distribute.  Our last contact with them was two months ago when they telephoned in the middle of the night to tell us settlers had entered the village and attacked the first house (closest to Padu’el) with sticks and curses.

That night they reported the army had arrived at the village.  We thought at the time it was a good sign.  But when we spoke to them yesterday it turned out the army’s immediate response was to fire thousands of tear gas grenades at the houses and the villagers who’d come to aid the inhabitants of the house under attack.  That’s what our friend told us.  They said the smoke was so dense “they couldn’t see their own hands.”  An infant and two other people were injured by the gas and hospitalized.  One man was hit in the thigh by a rubber bullet.  The settlers fled uninjured.

The conversation focused, as usual, on the unbearable situation.  Our host said, repeatedly:  “There’s no work, no money, nothing.  How long can we go on?”

We met A., a guest aged 24 who speaks Hebrew and a little English.  Despite his youth he’d received a work permit for one of the settlements and is very pleased to be able to earn money, NIS 20/hour.  Sometimes he’s “lucky” enough to enter Israel with the settler he works for.  He’s been to Tel Aviv and is dying to swim in the sea.

H. asked us to help some villagers who have cancer.  We promised to look for the addresses she wanted.

15:45  ‘Azzun ‘Atma.  One booth was open when we arrived.  Ten laborers were waiting; they said the line moves slowly; the wait is long.

After 30 minutes there were already 40 laborers on line and a second booth opened.  But the line still moved very slowly.  The Palestinians complained bitterly; they said they could save an hour each way if they were allowed to cross directly from Highway 5.  They also said:  Come on Sunday, see what goes on there.

One said, in excellent Hebrew, he could do many things during the two hours he wastes every day at the checkpoints.  Another said when they complain the line moves too slowly the soldiers “yell and threaten us.”

We had a surprising discussion with two soldiers who approached us on their own initiative.  One, T., from south Tel Aviv, asked very politely why we’re there.  We explained.  He told us, pleasantly, politely, there’s no choice, the checkpoint is important because a gun and two knives have already been discovered there.  But he agreed with us that we’re greatly burdening the Palestinians, not only at the checkpoint but also with other actions, and with the occupation as a whole.  But he didn’t agree to withdrawal from the territories.  He said he really doesn’t want to be there, but “if we give in to the Palestinians they’ll also want to return to Sheikh Munis.”  He didn’t differentiate at all between the area of 1948 and 1967.  When we asked him whether he was aware that when his son grows up he might also be carrying out the same police/occupier role, we had the impression that the penny might have dropped.  He told us he knows about a hole in the fence, but understands the people going through only want to get to work.  We parted, feeling the army, and before it the educational system, do an excellent job of brainwashing, though this guy had doubts so maybe there’s hope…

When we parted a second soldier approached us, also with a questioning expression.  We wanted to explain what’s printed on our badge but he said, “I know.  I’m from Yeruham and know Leah Shakdiel” (we weren’t surprised that he referred to her with great respect).  He was also pleasant and polite, confidently explaining there’s no one to make peace with.  When we mentioned cooperation between Palestinian security forces and the Israeli army he said the Palestinians aren’t doing enough, that Abu Mazen is inciting against us.  Regarding the Saudi proposal he said he doesn’t trust the Arabs.  Nor is he satisfied with how peace with Jordan and Egypt has turned out.

It’s clear the army is fulfilling its educational aims.

16:45  We left for home.

 Highway 446, Kafr ad Dik, ‘Azzun ‘Atma, 27.10.14, afternoon

Observers:  Shosh K., Hadas  C. (photographing), Dvorka A. (reporting), Nadim (driving),

Translator:  Charles K.

·      13:20  We took Highway 446 which also leads to Kafr ad Dik and Bruqin.  We hadn’t driven on this road for a few months.  The changes are dramatic, contrary to the report in Ha’aretz that there’s more talk about building in the settlements than actual construction.  The additional construction on the ridge northwest of Highway 446 is obvious.  A neighborhood under construction between Bruqhin and Alei Zahav has been completed, including charming red roofs.  The expansion of Alei Zahav toward Deir Ballut and beyond to the settlement of Leshem. is progressing rapidly

One day during the olive harvest three years ago our Palestinian host pointed to lands belonging to him and others from Kafr ad Dik on which a new, still-unpaved road was being laid and where tractors and other signs of construction were visible.

Today, from the road down to Deir Ballut, you can see Leshem on that land, an attractive locality, single-family homes, internal roads and a few cars and trailers, evidence that the place is settled.  Across the way there are dozens more buildings under construction in the Padu’el settlement, on the slope near the road.

14:00  Kafr ad Dik.  After a long absence we came to visit our friend from the ad `Dik family and bring them clothes and other items to distribute.  Our last contact with them was two months ago when they telephoned in the middle of the night to tell us settlers had entered the village and attacked the first house (closest to Padu’el) with sticks and curses.

That night they reported the army had arrived at the village.  We thought at the time it was a good sign.  But when we spoke to them yesterday it turned out the army’s immediate response was to fire thousands of tear gas grenades at the houses and the villagers who’d come to aid the inhabitants of the house under attack.  That’s what our friend told us.  They said the smoke was so dense “they couldn’t see their own hands.”  An infant and two other people were injured by the gas and hospitalized.  One man was hit in the thigh by a rubber bullet.  The settlers fled uninjured.

The conversation focused, as usual, on the unbearable situation.  Our host said, repeatedly:  “There’s no work, no money, nothing.  How long can we go on?”

We met A., a guest aged 24 who speaks Hebrew and a little English.  Despite his youth he’d received a work permit for one of the settlements and is very pleased to be able to earn money, NIS 20/hour.  Sometimes he’s “lucky” enough to enter Israel with the settler he works for.  He’s been to Tel Aviv and is dying to swim in the sea.

H. asked us to help some villagers who have cancer.  We promised to look for the addresses she wanted.

15:45  ‘Azzun ‘Atma.  One booth was open when we arrived.  Ten laborers were waiting; they said the line moves slowly; the wait is long.

After 30 minutes there were already 40 laborers on line and a second booth opened.  But the line still moved very slowly.  The Palestinians complained bitterly; they said they could save an hour each way if they were allowed to cross directly from Highway 5.  They also said:  Come on Sunday, see what goes on there.

One said, in excellent Hebrew, he could do many things during the two hours he wastes every day at the checkpoints.  Another said when they complain the line moves too slowly the soldiers “yell and threaten us.”

We had a surprising discussion with two soldiers who approached us on their own initiative.  One, T., from south Tel Aviv, asked very politely why we’re there.  We explained.  He told us, pleasantly, politely, there’s no choice, the checkpoint is important because a gun and two knives have already been discovered there.  But he agreed with us that we’re greatly burdening the Palestinians, not only at the checkpoint but also with other actions, and with the occupation as a whole.  But he didn’t agree to withdrawal from the territories.  He said he really doesn’t want to be there, but “if we give in to the Palestinians they’ll also want to return to Sheikh Munis.”  He didn’t differentiate at all between the area of 1948 and 1967.  When we asked him whether he was aware that when his son grows up he might also be carrying out the same police/occupier role, we had the impression that the penny might have dropped.  He told us he knows about a hole in the fence, but understands the people going through only want to get to work.  We parted, feeling the army, and before it the educational system, do an excellent job of brainwashing, though this guy had doubts so maybe there’s hope…

When we parted a second soldier approached us, also with a questioning expression.  We wanted to explain what’s printed on our badge but he said, “I know.  I’m from Yeruham and know Leah Shakdiel” (we weren’t surprised that he referred to her with great respect).  He was also pleasant and polite, confidently explaining there’s no one to make peace with.  When we mentioned cooperation between Palestinian security forces and the Israeli army he said the Palestinians aren’t doing enough, that Abu Mazen is inciting against us.  Regarding the Saudi proposal he said he doesn’t trust the Arabs.  Nor is he satisfied with how peace with Jordan and Egypt has turned out.

It’s clear the army is fulfilling its educational aims.

16:45  We left for home.