Sheep Shearing in the Jordan Valley
We accompanied young Mohammad and his flock from Ein Hilwa to the pasture. Muhaned’s new son was born yesterday but he doesn’t make a fuss about it and busies himself shearing sheep throughout the time we’re in the pasture. He has special shears that cut through everything. When there are young shepherds in families, they take advantage of the situation and save themselves 6 shekels for every fleece; these are all taken by a Palestinian company. So, he and Shafiq, who comes with Big Mohammad’s flock, grab and shear a different sheep every time. This requires a lot of strength – the sheep don’t cooperate willingly.
It is apparently the last day of Ramadan, although this has yet to be confirmed by the moon-sighting experts in Saudi Arabia. In any case, everyone agrees that our shepherds are entitled to eat based on the convincing argument that Allah allows those who work long hours in the sun to eat.
We walk south west over the hills and valleys. It is a pleasant day, no enemies and everyone is content. The outpost is close by, but they’re busy with other things.
After leaving the pasture, we visit Khalat Makhoul and celebrate Rina’s 30th with balloons and sweets, and visit others as well. It’s been a long and full day.
'Ein al-Hilwe
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Ein al-Hilwe is a natural spring and a Palestinian grazing area in the Jordan Valley that was used by the Palestinian shepherd communities for watering their flocks and for daily use. As of 2021, settlers from the Maskyot settlement took control of the spring: they fenced it off, built a wading pool and a mikveh, and installed flags and recreational facilities.
Palestinians are effectively denied access to the spring, and are forced to make do with running water in a remote wadi or, when the road is blocked, buy water from vendors at high prices.
The spring is located in the heart of an area where illegal outposts are being established, as part of a broader trend of pushing Palestinian communities away by denying them access to essential resources. Neighboring communities such as Umm Jamal and Khirbet Samra have already left due to the pressure.
Over the years, MachsomWatch members have reported arrests on false claims by settlers, harassment and violence, including damage to herds, intrusion into homes, and the intimidation of children. MachsomWatch volunteers participate in a protective presence in areas around the spring to prevent harassment of shepherds due to the presence of settlers.
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