Rahwa - Terrtible cruelty of settlers from Havat Avraham
A shift to Rahwa, South Mount Hebron
I ask Muhammad to enter the parking lot at the Meitar checkpoint, after we passed the checkpoint. In the past there were vegetable and fruit stalls, sweets and pastries, and there was a lively movement of Palestinians, most of whom came to work in Israel. Since the war it has not been allowed, and there are few cars in the parking lot. You always meet someone and start a conversation and learn something new and learn more stories.
This time we spoke with a resident of Yatta who transports workers to work which is defined as essential, in Israel. According to him, between 50-100 workers a day receive such a permit. He informs us that the checkpoint located at the turn towards Ramadin and Dahariya is closed.
We went to Rahwa, a village we had already visited before. The drive is via Route 325, which leads to the settlement of Tene Omarim, a few kilometres from the Meitar checkpoint. The settlement was established in 1983 and has about 1000 residents. A little before Tene Omarim is the village of Rahwa and we turn right, on Route 325 even before the entrance to Tene Omarim.
The Abu Sharah family consists of 3 families. Most of the family members went to Dahariya, for a family wedding and to buy food in the market. We go up with the jeep to where Jamal, a boy from the family is waiting for us. They say that two days before our arrival, on 7.10.24, 3 settlers arrived from Shabtai’s farm, located near Route 60, Havat Avraham. The distance between this farm and another farm established next to it, belonging to a settler named Aviad Mor, is 200-300 meters. At 17.00, one settler arrived on an ATV and the other two on horses. Cursing (it is not appropriate to go into detail here) and shouting that they came with the aim of expelling them as they did in Zanuta. They entered the cave where the family members cook their meals, and where large containers containing flour, sugar and olive oil are placed. The three spilled the entire contents of the containers on the floor. Three families living in poverty, with small children, were left without basic food. After that, they took Dunya’s car keys, which we told about in previous reports, started the engine, and deliberately pressed the gas pedal hard to destroy the engine. They did not go without going to the family’s water well and cut the pipes that supply the water.
No food and no water.
Terrible cruelty.
We left sacks with clothes, shoes and school bags.
We will come again soon.
This is the occupation.
Location Description
Meitar checkpoint / Sansana
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Meitar Checkpoint / Sansana The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO / DCL / DCL / DCL (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit. In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded. Updated April 2022
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Zanuta
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Zanuta was a small rural Palestinian locality until its demolition. It was situated in the space around the town Dahariya in the South Hebron Hills, about a ten-minute ride from Meitar Checkpoint. There are documented remains of a large Byzantine settlement in the area. Since the Ottoman (Turkish Empire) period (1516-1917) Zanuta was documented as a locality of shepherds and farmers who live in the remains of the ancient structures and the residential caves near them.
Two individual ranches of colonists were created next to Zanuta: Meitarim (of the colonist Yinon Levi) to the east, and Yehudah (of the colonist Elyashiv Nachum) to the north. Endless attacks, harassments and attempt to chase away the Zanuta villagers have originated in these two outposts.
Until the expulsion, four families lived in the village: A-Samama, Al-Tel, Al Batat, and Al-Qaisia. Farming constituted their main economic activity and employed most of the villagers. The total area of the village is about 12,000 dunams, of which about 3,000 are tended, mostly with field crops.
This village has never had a master plan that would legitimize construction permits. The Civil Administration claimed it was too small and the distance to the next town, Dahariya, too great. For this reason, the Israeli authorities pressured the villagers to leave. The colonists did the job for them.
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