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Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills, Tue 10.7.12, Morning

Observers: Netanya G., Michael Tz. (Report)
Jul-10-2012
| Morning

 

Translator:  Charles K.

 

Meitar crossing

At this hour, 9AM, the crossing is closed to laborers.  Since the beginning of the week it’s been open until 7AM, and afterwards only for cars.  That’s the response of those operating the checkpoint to the failure to deal with the stench.  There was a big traffic jam at the crossing on our way back.  Only one inspection station is operating for those arriving by vehicle from Hebron and the surrounding area.  We waited 40 minutes for our turn.  We couldn’t get any explanation.  Apparently there’s a work slowdown or some internal conflict within the crossings administration.  At the expense of the residents of the southern Hebron hills, of course.

 

Hebron

Quiet and boring.  The summer vacation and the heat slow everyone down.  No detainees at any checkpoint.  A confrontation with a Border Police soldier almost develops at the Cave of the Patriarchs plaza:  as soon as he realizes M., our driver, isn’t Jewish he demands that he park in the lot opposite Beit Hamachpela.  “You’re not allowed to park here if you’re Moslem,” says the energetic soldier.

We explain that M. is an Israeli citizen; only two days ago the police told the army that he’s allowed to park wherever he wishes.  The soldier insists.  “Those are the orders,” he says.  “Show me where it’s written that he’s allowed to park here.”  Since it appears that the instructions to the soldiers are insufficiently clear, and things could blow up at any minute, I stayed in the car so M. wouldn’t remain alone in the car near the Border Police soldier, and Netanya walked around the area of the Cave.  Later we switched.

A guy from “Breaking the Silence” sitting with his guests at ‘Abed’s shop says that there is a written document which he’ll send us.  This time the soldier backed down and didn’t continue arguing.

 

We visited the Jaber family again.  Though their water problem has been solved for now, they’re still struggling for the right to cultivate the rest of their vineyards.  After Kiryat Arba was built on their land the town abutted on their plots below; they’re not allowed to access them freely, only with permission from the Civil Administration which provides a security escort because the settlers harass them.  Now the Civil Administration says it’s busy and can provide security only once a week, an IDF escort for eight hours.  Another “brilliant” solution.  Instead of restraining and punishing those hooligans, the IDF provides security according to its ability and to the forces available at the time it deems appropriate.  The inventive Jewish brain.

The family says that Rabbis for Human Rights is handling the matter.

Can we help in any way?  I don’t know.  We celebrated their orchard’s blooming by buying green beans that had just been picked.

  • 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 - יוסרי ג'אבר וחלק ממשפחתו
      Raya Yeor
      Dec-18-2025
      Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
  • 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

       

       

      עדר פרות בשטח של זנותא ממנה גורשו תושביה, בליווי מתנחל רכוב על סוס
      Smadar Becker
      Jan-12-2026
      A herd of cows in the area of ​​Zanuta, from which its residents were expelled, accompanied by a settler on horseback
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