Jordan Valley, Khirbet Makhul, Tayasir
10:15 – 13:00
10:15 Bezeq checkpoint – Went through. Rainy weather, rains on and off. Beautiful scenery. The human sight is less and less to be seen thanks to the occupation.
Rotem settlement – On the Eastern side of the road leading up to the settlement there is a new dates orchard decorated with an Israeli flag. At the pirate settlement South of Rotem we did not observe new construction nor did we see and people.
Up hill road to the Tayasir checkpoint – Very few vehicles on the road. People are busy preparing for the rain; covering tents and piles. On the road and at usual practice areas there are no signs of military presence. Perhaps due to the Holyday of Sukkot.
Tayasir checkpoint – Desolated. Soldiers might be on top of the guard’s tower. And might not.
Allon Road – The soil embankment that disconnects access into the West Bank from the Jordan Valley has undergone yet another repair; It has been raised, tunnels were dogged where vehicle could drive through.
Hamra checkpoint – Desolated. The guard tower above the cross road is manned. Passage is open. There is no one to guide Holidays travelers who are in doubt where should they go.
Halat Machul – This time we set accompanied by A. his wife and her brother. As always they are in fear of destructions orders for their homes. A told us of confiscation of construction materials that were bought foe replacing the roof and for building walls to the sheep pen. A big truck of the civilian authority arrive on Sunday (Oct. 1st.) loading everything and took off. Heavy rain started to pour and A. expressed hope that it should continue to that a fresh grass would grow to feed his flock.
Maskiot Settlement – From the road we could observe a new building.
13:00 Bezeq checkpoint – We drove through. There is a long line of cars.
Jordan Valley
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Jordan Valley The Jordan Valley is the eastern strip of the West Bank. Its area consists of almost a third of the West Bank area. About 10,000 settlers live there, about 65,000 Palestinian residents in the villages and towns. In addition, about 15,000 are scattered in small shepherd communities. These communities are living in severe distress because of two types of harassment: the military declaring some of their living areas, as fire zones, evicting them for long hours from their residence to the scorching heat of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter. The other type is abuse by rioters who cling to the grazing areas of the shepherd communities, and the declared fire areas (without being deported). The many groundwaters in the Jordan Valley belong to Mekorot and are not available to Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians bring water to their needs in high-cost followers.
Nurit PopperDec-16-2027Nurit is threatened by settlers from close range.
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Khalet Makhul
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Khalet Makhul
A small settlement of a shepherd community located on the way to the settlement of Hemdat. Two nearby outposts make life miserable for the Palestinians, who make a living from grazing, and the army backs the settlers. As a result, the possible grazing areas are getting smaller.
The local children attend school in the settlement of Ein Al-Beida. Long lines of 3 hours sometimes stretch out at the Hamra and Tayasir checkpoints leading to the town of Tubas, making it difficult to get water, supplies, and sell the cheese, milk, and meat that the residents produce for their living.
Following a deadly attack at the Tayasir checkpoint in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being.
(Updated March 2025)
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Tayasir CP
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Located on road 5799, It is one of the checkpoints control the passage between the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley. For a long time, it stood empty and open, with only a sign next to it warning against entering Area A. It was adjacent to an old military camp - now everything is neglected. How much money was invested here, and how much brainwashing was done to the soldiers of Netzah Yehuda and Kfir.
Today, it is very difficult to pass there. Many delays. Often, teachers from Tubas are not allowed to pass into the Valley to villages like Ein al-Bida where the local schools are located, and there are no classes. There are additional days when the checkpoint is closed. In general, there is a wait there of about two to four hours to go towards the Valley and also to return. Many times the Palestinians are forced to use the Hamra checkpoint, which also leads into Tubas and the West Bank, but there is also a huge queue there and a long wait.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the nearby base in February 2025, the checkpoint was completely closed for the time being. (Updated March 2025)
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