Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills
Meitar Checkpoint and Road 60 are fairly quiet and, on Route 317, we saw no more vehicles on our way to the family of Abu Kbeita.
We have written before that the family lives within the security wall’s seamline: an enclave of territory B and C and Israel. Despite the usual difficulties such as the ban to bring supplies through the checkpoint (food for a family of about 15 souls, fodder for the sheep, etc.) there have been improvements in the state of the family. Two elder boys are already married and one of the girls lives in Yatta. There are already grandchildren and power supply from solar panels. Mahmoud says he is satisfied and the situation is reasonable now despite the occupation. Also the relations with the settlers of nearby Yatir (within meters) has calmed down. Mahmoud, in spite of the suffering, learned to deal with the obstaclesaAnd I will not elaborate here for obvious reasons!
The married daughter had a permit to enter Israel, which expired a year ago. All efforts to renew the permit failed and this prevents her from visiting her parents whose home is in Israeli territory. The situation is complicated and ridiculous and Mahmoud asks for our help in this matter. We asked Michal to see could be done.
It is the Mezadot Yehuda barrier that separates Israel from the West Bank, between Mahmoud’s house and the children’s school.
Each departure from the home means a search of personal belongings and the backpacks of the children when they go to school and back.
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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