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Hebron, Tue 23.7.13, Morning

Place: Hebron
Tags: Ramadan Soldiers at checkpoints
Observers: Nilli Magid, MIchal Tz. (reporting)
Jul-23-2013
| Morning

Translator:  Charles K.

 

10:00-13:00

Everything is normal everywhere.

All activity ceases for hours during the Ramadan fast.

Signs of life at Beit Hamachpelah.  An open door, lights burning, Israeli flags still flapping.  About 3 weeks ago the IDF high command came to visit; we weren’t allowed even to enter Kiryat Arba.  We now fear they plan to settle people to live there..

Border Police soldiers at the Pharmacy checkpoint stare at us in amazement.

“No, we never heard of Machsom Watch,” the reply to our question.

“Against the checkpoints?”  He smiles.  “Can you imagine what it would be like without them?”

“Actually, yes,” I reply. 

“Do you know that last week we caught a woman with a knife who said she’d come to stab soldiers?”

“Do you know that if you hadn’t been here she wouldn’t have tried to stab you?”

“And?” he smiles.  “She would have reached Tel Aviv.”

 

That’s that; our soldiers are convinced their presence in Hebron saves Tel Aviv.

What can I add to the despair?

  • 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

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