Hebron, Tarqumiya
This time we outsmarted the Tarqumiyya checkpoint staff, met M., our driver, at the grocery at the entrance to the village, and also parted from him there at the conclusion of our shift. We did so to see how we’re treated when we leave, unaccompanied by the driver. And in fact, we weren’t detained when we left, weren’t inspected, were asked almost nothing.
It’s raining, and we drive from Tarqumiyya to Hebron in dense fog, very slowly.
Before the army base next to the Federman farm, a new sign: “Road being widened to two lanes.”
Signs in Kiryat Arba: “Donate to the poor for Passover, urges Rabbi David Le’or.”
On top of Beit Hameriva, a military post and a soldier under camouflage netting.
At ‘Abed’s shop, opposite the Cave of the Patriarchs, they tell us that Muhammad, the son, will start working at the Tourist Information Center to be set up in the vacant shop adjoining his.
They showed us the renovation – carried out with the help of HRC and the Red Cross.
The holiday is approaching and they say next Sunday and Monday they’re not permitted to open the shop.
That harms their income, because there would be many customers on those days. The prohibition has been in effect since 2004.
We noticed military activity next to a house opposite the parking area (behind the Cave of the Patriarchs): soldiers, vehicles and a tractor. The explanation: the house is abandoned and its Palestinian owner was here yesterday and formally and officially notified an Israeli officer that he agrees, and now they’re preparing to take it over, and soon will raise a flag…
At ‘Azzam’s metal shop we meet, among others, an Israeli resident of the Telem settlement, a metalworker who’s ‘Azzam’s business partner. That’s how ‘Azzam is increasing his business, now making chairs and other items, and selling them in Israel. They all say they have no difficulty living together, they’re all friends, visit one another.
It turns out this settler was once an extremist (Kahana), but since starting to work with ‘Azzam has gradually grown less extreme (religiously as well), and become a friend: “We’re all human beings, we’re all the same.”
‘Azzam’s brother claims everyone despairs of Abu-Mazen and the corruption, and many prefer Hamas.
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
Lea ShakdielMay-27-2025Hebron, settlers vandalized the sign of the girls' school
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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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