Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Wed 14.9.11, Morning
Translator: Charles K
Hebron
We’re asked for ID’s at the entrance to Kiryat Arba. The guy doesn’t recognize our white car…x
A tractor and crane on the road up to Kiryat Arba, hanging Israeli flags. Israeli flags also along the road up to Tel Rumeida.x
Overall, it’s quiet here, few people in the streets. Tel Rumeida – a nice soldier (who immigrated six years ago from Ethiopia and volunteered to serve in the army) tells us they’re undergoing special training in anticipation of 20.9.11, preparing for riots.x
Two Palestinian residents of Hebron talk to us in English, and when we ask “what will happen here on September 20,” reply that nothing will happen; people are just talking but they’re sure they won’t do anything.x
“It’s all talk,” people here don’t want anything to happen and won’t do anything.x
Next to the Cave of the Patriarchs – Michael from “Breaking the Silence” with a group of female Polish tourists. He tells us that things will get interesting this afternoon: the governor of Hebron will come with Issa (the friend of Michael, Tzipi's son) to hold a ceremony changing the name of Shuhada street to “Apartheid Street.”x
‘Abed and his son also say nothing will happen on the 20th: “No one has strength, people haven’t food at home, they’re in despair, don’t want another intifada. The first, with Arafat, was no good, the second, with Abu Mazen, was also no good, if there’s another intifada something even worse will come (“like Hitler for us”), enough, we don’t want anything.”x
We went up the deserted Worshippers route.x
We also asked at the grocery in Tarqumiyya; the answer – “Us – we’re not interested.” We don’t want anything. We only want quiet. If children come to throw stones, we’ll chase them away.”x
People at the Tarqumiyya crossing told us they don’t want the UN declaration, because then they won’t be able to find work…x
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
Muhammad D.May-13-2026Hebron - Request for compensation for land expropriation
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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
Muhammad D.Jul-23-2026The new settlement, starting June 1, 2026, opposite Khallet al-Humus.
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