Hebron, Mon 30.1.12, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
Hebron
Top photo: A sign, “Biblical Hebron route,” in the middle of a Palestinian neighborhood
Bottom photo: Roadblock with a poster – May the Temple be built speedily in our time…
Rain, rain, rain. Schoolchildren still on vacation. What little life is possible in Hebron is affected by these two facts.
The soldiers are well bundled-up and don’t delay anyone at any checkpoint, except for one “energetic” soldier who stops us as we descend from Tel Rumeida.
“Who are you? Why were you there?”
“Machsom Watch,” we reply, “Ever hear of us?”
“No…ahhh…you’re like ‘B’Tselem,’ you’re not allowed to be there.
“Where? That’s our usual route,” we answer.
While we were having this “conversation” with him we noticed an old couple walking with difficulty up the steep road on their way to Tel Rumeida. Barely able to move. Had they not been neighbors of the settlers they could have been driven home like any normal place in the world.
“May we give them a ride home?” we ask the amazed soldier.
Our question activated the world of prohibitions and fears that guide him, to the extent that he no longer sees two old people who could have been his grandfather and grandmother, who deserve help. He looks at us as if we come from the moon. “What are you talking about?! Beat it, get out of here! You’re not allowed!” So we left.
Drops of annoying rain continue falling. Suddenly we see new slogans on Shuhadah Street that we haven’t seen before on the barred windows of the houses, as well as graffiti of the settlers.
Two squads of soldiers patrol the Gross Square area. They seem to have returned from the Abu Sneineh neighborhood to Shehadah Street, almost completely covered, with balaclavas on their heads as well.
When they see the cameras they yell, “Aren’t you ashamed to photograph us?!” And also curses. We don’t respond, they switch to English. Their commander shuts them up.
They continued to Shuhadah Street, we went home.
That’s Hebron, practically the entire story right there.
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
Raya YeorDec-18-2025Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
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