Jordan Valley: Rotem settlement continues to spread
10:20 – 12:30
The valley is already dry at this time of year and the herds are eating the green vegetation and bushes. The army training areas are empty and there are a lot of busses carrying soldiers to their bases after Independence Day.
The Settlement of Rotem
Photo: Rachela Hayut, 03.05.2017
In March we reported that the settlement has expanded. IN the entrance there is a flag of the New Guard and there are new fruit trees that have been planted. There is a round building that is presumably a meeting place. This time the flag is no longer there. It was quiet and there was no one around.
There were rows of plants and wooden frames to hold the plants that were ready to be planted. A pipe covered with mud carries water from the tower that is south of the area. It appears that it once served the army camp that was here previously.
The Road to Tayasir – On the hills and sides of the road there were shepherds and flocks.
Tayasir Checkpoint was open
Akaba – The village was attractive and welcoming as usual. We met representatives of a U.N. organization and a Palestinian representative from an organization that helps children with health issues.
Um Zika – We did not go there today. We heard from Dafna the next day that the settlement had been moved to a different place in the reserve.
Khalat Makhul: We met Y.B. who told us that it was quiet and that there had been no incidents.
Bezek Checkpoint – We crossed at 12:30.
Al-'Aqaba (village) / Jordan Valley
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Al Aqaba is located in Area C, in the northern Jordan Valley and near the Tayasir checkpoint. The village is well-kept, clean and tidy, but suffers greatly from the presence of soldiers at the Tayasir camp.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the base near Tayasir in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being. This cut off the connection between the northern Jordan Valley and the Nablus area. MachsomWatch cannot currently reach Aqaba, because Israelis are not allowed to pass through the checkpoint.
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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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