Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills, Tue 7.2.12, Morning
We decided not to go into Hebron today and instead headed straight for the checkpoint at the end of nowhere, Metzudat Yehuda/Beit Yatir, in order to observe the crossing of the children who live in the enclave created by the Separation Wall. We went first to the school and waited outside while M. went and spoke to the principal. The latter came out to meet us, all smiles , but made it very clear that if we want to visit we need to coordinate in advance. Today was salary day and all the teachers had finished early as a result. There were no problems now at the checkpoint he reassured us. We should have taken into account the fact that the PA has banned all cooperation with Israelis and we know of several projects that have suffered as a result. The school is under the PA Ministry of Education which also provides a handsome mini-bus for transporting some of the pupils.
We next went to the checkpoint where, after five minutes, "our" children arrived on foot and huddled for shelter while their ID's were checked. They were in good spirits despite the ferocious wind. A surly guard refused to answer our questions, but another, perhaps more senior, permitted us to accompany the children and observe the checking procedure and did not require us to show ID, as long we didn't try 'to cross into Israel'. The check, by a sour female guard, includes both an x-ray machine and a hand search of school bags, as well as a metal detector. The whole procedure from start to finish lasted 15 minutes – a huge waste of time and resources, but the children were not bothered and set off on their merry, if rather long, way home.
On our way home we stopped to take a look at the Meitar checkpoint where the small market was very busy. A lot of people stopped to ask if we could help get them permits to work in Israel, many of them survive by ferrying the returning lucky ones to their homes.
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
Smadar BeckerJan-12-2026A herd of cows in the area of Zanuta, from which its residents were expelled, accompanied by a settler on horseback
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