Route 60

Empty , and the signs of the Jewish takeover are increasing: an article in this morning’s “Haaretz” about the idea of ​​legalizing sheep farms. There is already evidence of this in the field: the metal structure on the hill in front of Shem’a that probably stores sheep,has a new green sign – Havat Yehuda. First buds of the takeover and the sequel is scary. 

Hebron:

We wanted to visit Issa and find out what happened over the weekend which had not been  clear in the videos he sent. On the phone, he explained that on Saturday there was a funeral procession for a Palestinian that passed in front of the base on the way to the cemetery on Shuhada Street, and the soldiers humiliated the mourners . Issa was not in town so he sent us to look for the aggressive soldier as he claimed, whose name was Ben Lulu. 

Behind the Al Ibrahimiya boys’ school, inside an Arab house, an auxiliary company was located. A large new sign declares this (there is no documentation – for obvious reasons) and military vehicles are parked under the building. Some young soldiers greeted me and were amused to hear that I was looking for Ben Lulu. He appeared in sports clothes, so it is not clear what his rank is, and while we are talking, the lieutenant also appeared, who was not ready to reveal his name, but claimed that he has been in the field for a long time and knows the situation well. It was important to him that I  should know that there were stone throwers from among the settlers (“residents” in his language) who were arrested, just as 5 Palestinians who carried knives (“terrorists” in his language). The discussion went nowhere, and when I mentioned Issa, my arguments were clearly rejected because “I am not ready to listen to the words of a terrorist.” But I quietly explained that it’s not every day that we complain to the army and if I did, there was probably inappropriate behavior by one of his command that might be worth Investigating. 

On the way to the Cave of the Patriarchs, I met an American man who introduced himself as a Palestinian, coming from Boston to understand the conflict. In fact, his grandparents are from Haifa and his father grew up in Haifa after ‘48 and is therefore an Israeli citizen, but it was important for him to emphasize that he is Palestinian, and was happy to hear that there are also Israelis who do not support the settlements and the current situation.

Coffee at Abed’s, who looks more despondent than ever – there are no tourists, the Cave of the Patriarchs is turning into a fortified destination before his eyes. A double fence, now the noise and dust of metal sawing for some facility that looks like an elevator to the Gutnick house. 

Several groups of Israelis, wearing kippahs, come to hear about the place, and receive comprehensive lectures. The Breakers of Silence are not amongst the lecturers. Nothing good will come of this. On the way back the only solace is the oasis of Ma’ayan El Fawwar and the thriving agriculture around it.