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Dura-Al Fawwar Junction, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Observers: Daphna J., Judith K. (Reporting), Muhammad D.
Dec-22-2019
| Morning

We left Beer Sheva / Omer at 9.30 so the workers had already passed the Meitar checkpoint. Muhammad was reported which had been  very busy in the morning and we saw very many cars parked outside beyond the checkpoint  on Highway 60 because of  lack of space. Road 60 to  Al fawwar was quite busy, all the barriers from Dahariya  to Dura-El Pawwar were open.

Despite the  winter holidays (in respect for the  Christians the Palestinian Authority closes the school for the Christmas holidays) we did not see many children along the way.

We visited the village of Simiah  (Area C), which Route 60 has divided into two for nearly a year. Some children learn in the western part of the village, and some cross the dangerous road to the school in the eastern part. About a year ago, the West Simiah School was destroyed by the Israeli  army. The residents set up tents and the children studied there in all conditions in spite of the weather for nearly a year. Three months ago, residents collected money and built a new school, where 20 children from the ages of 6-12 are studying. There are three teachers plus a teacher / principal, whose salaries are paid by PA. There is electricity provided by  the PA as well. The school is well kept and clean but poor in learning accessories.

It seemed that everything was fine. But not: The Israel Antiquities Authority claims that there are archaeological  remains in the village (unclear exactly what) and issued an order to stop work on the school. Residents took a lawyer and the case will be brought before a court … It is unclear whether an Israeli court, or a military Israeli. The village is peaceful, beautiful and well-kept, with its people connected to Combatants for Peace organization. Real suspects.

  • Dura Al-Fawwar Junction

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    • Junction on Route 60: west - the town of El Dura, east - the Al Fawwar refugee camp. There is a manned pillbox  at the junction. From time to time the army sets up flying checkpoints at the entrance to El Fawwar and Al Dura. Al-Fawwar is a large refugee camp (7,000 inhabitants in 2007) established in 1949 to accommodate Palestinian refugees from Be'er Sheva and Beit Jubrin and environs. There are many incidents of stone-throwing. In the vicinity of the pillbox there are excellent agricultural areas, Farmers set up stalls adjacent to the plots close to the road. In recent months the civil administration  has set up dirt embankments thereby blocking access to the stalls, and making it impossible for the farmers to sell their vegetables. Updated April 2021, Michal T.
  • 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
  • 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

       

       

      שעב אל-בוטום - מתחם המגורים של משפחת נג'אר
      Michal Tsadik
      Jun-21-2026
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