Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills
We decided an early shift in order to follow the long journey of labourers on their way to work in Israel. We crossed the empty Meitar checkpoint in the twilight, but already there were people from neighbouring villages arriving to mark their places in the queue. At 05.00 am Route 60 is less hysterical than usual. At every exit from the villages there is a staffed checkpoint and everyone passing is stopped and checked, including cars of course. In spite of the freezing cold most of the workers come with a coat, or with only a light jacket in order to avoid being suspected of concealing a weapon. Some bring a small plastic bag with food, others not even that. We drove as far as Halhul, and noted that the further we travelled from the border with Israel the attitude of the soldiers worsened especially towards pedestrians leaving the villages. Those lucky enough to have a ride may be asked to get out of the car to be individually checked while in other cases only the driver and the vehicle are examined. In any case, all the workers leave their rides at the main highway and wait there either for transportation by their Israel employers or for chance rides to the checkpoint. It is very hard to watch this wave of humanity in the early hours (although 05.00 is late by their standards), tired, hopeless and oppressed, all this before they reach the Meitar checkpoint, the crowding, the humiliation even before they get to work for another day of backbreaking labour. They asked not to be photographed.
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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South Hebron Hills
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South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.Since the beginning of the 1980s, many settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with withholding water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.
There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Roadblocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Updated April 2022
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