Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Tarqumiya, Wed 1.2.12, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
We decided to go through Tarqumiya again, despite the problems they always cause us on our way back to Israel. Another very rainy day, gray and foggy, barely able to see ten meters ahead on the road…
Hebron
Streets almost empty; the soldiers in some of the positions can also shelter inside. We went into the grocery at the Tel Rumeida junction; the soldier (a first sergeant) immediately arrived from his position to check: “You’re here? You’re doing a great job." We went over to their position and were greeted coldly by both soldiers – that’s an understatement – including one who spat in our direction.
They stop people randomly, check their documents and also their belongings.
A tour of religious teenage girls near Beit Hadassah, despite the cold and rain.
On the way to the Cave of the Patriarchs we learned that, as of yesterday, there are new signs: No entry from here; you have to go around (what’s the idea?)
Yehuda, from “Breaking the Silence,” joins us to drink ‘Abed’s terribly sweet tea, telling us that he’s just about to meet a tour from the National Security College, at their request. He’s not hoping for much, though he’s glad to know that they include people who aren’t from the security services (staff from government offices and elsewhere…)
With respect to the eighth grade tour from Jerusalem, and Itamar Ben-Gvir’s presence, he says, “It was terrible.”
On our way back to the Tarqumiya crossing the almond trees were already lovely, the anemones on the verge of fully blossoming, but the crossing was again unpleasant; we’re inspected as if we’re under suspicion…(?)
Hebron
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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
Michal TsadikFeb-01-2012Hebron - Ata's grandchildren are enjoying the umbrellas we brought
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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
Daphna JungMar-16-2025Simia: Farhan and his wife
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Tarqumiya CP
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The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in special cases. MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers. The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank. Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’. This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’. updated November 2019
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