We arrived in the valley at 05:30 AM to escort shepherds and serve as a protective presence.  We divided into teams – some of whom would accompany the shepherds and some who would remain near the homes of the families in Al-Farisiya as a protective presence during the day and through the night.

The shepherds crossed the bridge under Route 90 at Ein a-Sakut.  Gilad A., the settler who waits with his flock there on weekdays to block the passage and cause the herds to mix (and later says that sheep were stolen from him) returned to Rotem for the Shabbat rest. The shepherds were able to let their sheep graze in the rye and corn fields that were leased from other Palestinians.  They were able to let the flocks graze without being disturbed.  Later they brought a container with water to water the sheep and then returned to summer camp at Ein a-Sakut at about 10:00.

Sh. From Al-Farisiya Alkhmeir near the settlement of Givat Sal’it crossed the Alon Route to a leased field and was able to let his flocks graze without being disturbed.  He also returned home at about 10:00.

The watering of the flocks at 09:30 at the spring of Ein Al Hilwe also proceeded without incident.  There were no settlers present.

It was quiet in Al-Farisiya and the escorts remained in the shade of the only tree and enjoyed a cool breeze while they drank tea and coffee with the family.

However, something always happens.  At 12:30 we received a call from Al Burj located on the road to Tayasir Checkpoint between Tubas and the valley.  We drove there quickly and, on the way, we saw several ATV’s on the road being driven by masked settlers.   When we arrived at Al Burj we learned that the settlers had driven around near their houses to frighten people.   From there they continued to Mayta.  They then returned via the main road to the new illegal settlement near   the checkpoint, which had been set up five months earlier.

The Palestinian residents reported that this occurs almost every day.    They asked us to remain there during the night since these invasions of with ATVs often precede violent incidents.  We returned to Al-Farisiya and promised to see to it international organizations take responsibility for a night shift in the area even when there were already watchers in Ein al-Hilwe 15 minutes away..

In the afternoon we accompanied shepherds again near Ein a-Sakut without being disturbed.  We also accompanied Sh. across the road to the field. A group of escorts remained at Ein al-Hilwe, but  none of the settlers ventured out to the people’s houses since it was the evening of a Jewish fast day.

We received another desperate call from Mayta telling us that settlers were in the village.  We drove there quickly but when we got there they had already left. They were doing the usual rounds to show people who are in control of the area.  We exchanged phone numbers and told them to call us if anyone disturbed them during the night.

The teams guarding Ein al-Hilwe and Al-Farisiya spend a quiet night.

The next morning, we stayed to accompany the shepherds and their flocks across the road until the morning shift of volunteers arrived.

The settlers had evidently decided not to harass the Palestinians because it was the Jewish fast day.  Evidently, they feel they have other days that they can cause trouble.   The flock crossed the bridge under the road into the fields without being disturbed.

We left for home at 06:30 am.  On one hand we were pleased that there had been no incidents.  On the other hand,  we are aware that these incidents are a part of the Palestinians’ everyday lives and they are constantly fearful that anything can happen.