Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Thu 3.7.08, Morning
06:30-09:30
On the morrow of the bulldozer attack in Jerusalem we decided to stay out of Hebron.
06:30 – Sansana Checkpoint
The checkpoint is empty, the workers have all crossed and the few who still arrive cross over at once. We got a present – 10 delicious hot falafels, and continued on our way.
Highway 60
It looks like the army has opened the way to the village of Karameh – The gigantic boulder has been shifted and the road is smooth. On the other hand, it blocked the way out of Samoa again.
All along the way we notice how few Palestinian cars are about and wonder if it's the early hour or perhaps, after yesterday, people are too afraid and only venture from their home if they absolutely must.
A border police jeep is driving before us all the way from Hebron and stops by Shuyuch. We stop by it. Three soldiers come out and a short conversation ensues. They are very cynical and their contempt for us is manifest. We try to reply civilly and keep our distance.
Here too traffic – pedestrian in this case – is sparse.
At about 07:30 the border police soldiers detain three young men, then another three and lastly a seventh and relay their details for authorization to cross. After 15 minutes all seven are allowed on their way.
Over the hour of our stay they detained a few tens of men, mostly young, and released them after a check of about 15-20 minutes.
By way of attracting their attention the soldiers whistle to the Palestinians crossing, as they might to a dog. Some (the brave) ignore the whistle at which point the soldiers have no choice but to address them verbally, or they would not stop for inspection.
Their attitude to the Palestinians is blunt – by a wave of the hand they summon this, waive the other. Their arrogance knows no bounds. Their intonation oozes hatred and contempt. The driver of the jeep puts on music on his mobile and suddenly instead of a military post the atmosphere is that of a class party.
The soldiers are brimming with hatred and holy fury. They refer to yesterday's events. One of them repeats several times "burn them all". We document the scene on video. One of the soldiers wants to know if we have a site where he can watch the pictures. We give him the address at which he says that he'll give it to his mum so she can watch and be proud of him. I voice my doubts – what mother would pride herself on a son whistling at people as if they were dogs. He tells me disgustedly that he can't speak Arabic. That's what he says, but the whistling stops.
08:30 – Just as we mean to get into our car Ofer Ohana appears with his camera and begins his usual foolish harangue telling us to go join our friends in East Jerusalem. This time we decide not to rise to the profound dialogue with Ofer and we leave.
On the way back we notice that the dirt path between Samoa and Tuwani has been blocked with piles of gravel.
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
Daphna JungMar-16-2025Simia: Farhan and his wife
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