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Bethlehem

Place: Hebron
Observers: N.G.,R. P.
Nov-12-2003
| Morning

El Khader and Machsom Gush
Etzion

Watchers: N.G. and R. P.

We arrived at El Khader “crossing” at peak time before
Ramadan evening. Many buses,many people,lots of taxis.. If the
absurdity of having to change vehicles on the way from Bethlehem to
Hebron area were not so blatant it would seem like a busy ,bustling
place.People smiled at us because without the army,without border
police,the atmosphere is calm and relaxed.

We drove on to the Gush Etzion checkpoint and also there no hold
ups,no detainees and thin traffic.

We were curious to see the teahouse for soldiers and there we met
the dedicated souls who prepare tea and coffee for the soldiers. We
spoke to some of the soldiers,some of the miluyimniks didn’t really
know who we are and Natanya presented them with our leaflet. Got a
supportive “b’hatzlacha from one of them. On the other hand
later a guy in shachpatz walked in and started his tirade on
traitors etc. I asked him quietly what in his mind is the
“verdict” for traitors like us and he stopped for a
second..

Then he proceeded telling us that we are O’K but that the other day
at the checkpoint one of us screamed at him and urged him to
behave. If and I repeat if such an incident happened then it is the
place to say that sometimes it maybe
counterproductive.

Not that it is so easy to show the soldiers that we just monitor
and negotiate when human rights issues are gravely
violated.

  • 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:

       

      1. Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
      2. Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
      3. The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
      4. Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
      5. The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
      6. Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
      7. Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
      8. Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station

      Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs

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