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Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Observers: Natanya, Michal (reporting), Hedva (guest, photographing); Translator: Charles K.
Feb-10-2015
| Morning

08:30- 13:00

 

Meitar checkpoint is already empty at this hour.

Only a few drivers are here, who wait instead of returning home until it’s time to pick workers up at 16:00.

 

An entire economic system here, kiosks with food and vegetables, and garbage everywhere.

A worker makes cleaning motions but he doesn’t appear to have a chance of really cleaning up because there are no garbage bins and nowhere to put the garbage.  He said they won’t give him a bin or trash cans, maybe because of security.  There’s a huge stink from the Beersheba stream that flows nearby – a stream of sewage.

Some of those waiting rush to us to ask for help obtaining work permits.  Each has been blacklisted for one reason or another.  I refer them to Sylvia without getting their hopes up.  Let’s hope some, at least, will succeed in getting a permit.

 

We came via Highway 317 and returned via Highway 60.

Everything is green and lovely, the almond trees are blossoming, the settlements of Susiya, Ma’on and Carmel are growing.  Uri Ariel has done a “good job.”

 

Golani soldiers now patrol Hebron.

Potted plants and curtains on the upper story of Beit Hameriva even though it still looks like a military area.  It’s clear civilians live in part of the structure.

A sign posted on one of the doors on the ground floor facing the Zion route announces that with God’s help a visitors’ center will soon open here with fancy tefillin and a Judaica store.  That’s what it says.

Many Border Police soldiers, male and female, at Curve 160 and at the Cave of the Patriarchs, but no one is detained.  Golani soldiers are the other checkpoints; they also patrol Shuhada Street.  Settlers posted a sign which says it’s King David Street.

Civilians still don’t live in Beit Hamachpel but we see lights on the upper floor.  Yehuda Shaul, from Breaking the Silence, leads a tour of visitors from abroad.  Representatives of the TIPH and the ecumenicals are walking around.

And Hebron remains Hebron.

 

We returned via Highway 60.  Many vehicles, but today military traffic is light and not obvious…

On our way back we stopped to see the Israeli side of the Meitar checkpoint.  A light flow of laborers returning home at 12:30.  In response to my question they reply, “Yes, not much work these days.”  They weren’t able to get a serious job today.  “Can you help us?”…

  • 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

      חברון: שלט מפרסם נדלן מפתה
      Leah Shakdiel
      Apr-8-2025
      Hebron: A sign advertising a tempting real estate
  • Meitar checkpoint / Sansana

    See all reports for this place
    • 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

    See all reports for this place
    • 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

       

       

      הדרך המשובשת לבית עטא
      Yael Zoran
      May-22-2025
      The bumpy road to Ata's house
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