Kifl Harith, Zeta, Wed 25.4.12, Morning
Natanya translating.
Kifl Harith. 9.00. We met N. who organizes the program for mothers in the village and with T. who is responsible to the branch of the Red Cross and for the building which houses the health services and the activities for the women. The aim of the meeting was to introduce ourselves and the reason as to our visits to the village.
We received a very warm welcome. In spite of the fact that we had arranged the meeting with the organizer the director who is also a professional nurse took time off of her own accord from another project to meet with us. The centre for the Red Cross is impressive with comfortable and airy rooms, clean and orderly. Very different from what we have seen in other villages. We suggested that we hold weekly meetings with physical exercise and studies. We would speak to the group and begin with language. It seems that they would prefer English. We decided that after they had found out how many women would be interested they would contact us.
During the conversation it turned out that T. lives in the nearby Qira and she showed interest in our activities for their centre. We said we would have to find out if there are other members who could join us in these activities. It seems that it is very important that Nadim be with us. He does not take part in the meetings (women only!) but he meets up with men who happen to come to the place, to speak to them and learns to know the village. This helps for the suspicion and fear which they might feel with us to be alleviated swiftly.That and also his services as a translator.
Zeita. 10.00 to 10.15 There were already 15 women present and others arrived shortly afterwards. 25 in all. There were also some elderly women who did not take part in the activities but who wanted to sit in the classes and listen. We presented the program for “The day at the sea.” This of course caused excitement and many questions. The organizer and the clerk of the municipality will make up a list according to the usual instructions.
We continued with the program in two rooms. There is motivation to advance where the beads are concerned and also those studying Hebrew arrived in full force. As usual they are very interested and enthusiastic about the vocabulary which is included in the lesson. Up to now we have conversed. This time we began at a later stage with reading in print letters. We could not carry out physical activities as they requested because of the Day of remembrance and the congestion at the cemetery. Some of our members could not come with us.
Huwwara 13.00 We met a person who is denied entry into Israel who had to sign some papers.
13.30 The checkpoint was inactive and there were no soldiers.
Kifl Harith
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Kifl Harith
This is a Palestinian located north-west of the settler-colony town of Ariel, 18 kilometers south of the city of Nablus. It numbers 3, 206 inhabitants, as of 2007. 42% of the village lands lie in Area B, and 58% in Area C. In 1978, some hundreds of dunams of the village’s farmland was sequestered in order to found the settler-colony of Ariel – in total 5,184 dunams from the Palestinian communities of Salfit, Iscaqa, Marda, and Kifl Harith. Dozens of square kilometers were also confiscated for paving road no. 5 as well as road 505 and their buffer zones, and the Israeli electricity company’s power station. Over the years the village has suffered harassment by sometimes-armed settler-colonists, even casualties. In 1968 the army’s rabbinate ruled the maqam site Nabi Yanoun (sanctified grave of the Prophet Yanoun) is in fact the tomb of Joshua, Son of Nun. Another structure in the village, named Nabi Tul Kifl by the Palestinians, has been identified by the Israeli authorities as to the tomb of Caleb, Son of Yefuneh. These sites are located in the heart of the village, near the mosque, and at times of Jewish religious festivities and pilgrimages, the center of the village is illuminated by projectors and thousands of Jews arrive, protected by hundreds of Israeli soldiers. During such a period, a night curfew is imposed on the village and the villagers are forced to stay shut inside their homes.
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Zeta South (564)
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Zeta South (564) Agricultural checkpoint. Allows passage to farmers whose lands have been imprisoned beyond the Separation Barrier. The crossing is allowed for special permit holders, for three days a week: noon and afternoon for 15 minutes at a time. The Palestinians who need to pass are complaining about the short times and the few days they can work on their land.
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