Shepherds' Companions in the Valley: There is no poor moment
The day began quietly. The weather was pleasant and warm.
Two escorts accompanied N. near Hamra. He no longer crosses the road, but continues westward and grazes his flocks about a kilometer from his home. Even there it is still possible to encounter threats from the settlers and the army, but the grazing passed without incident. They crossed the road with her and let the flocks graze for about four hours. There were no settlers or incidents. .
Two volunteers remained in Farisiya for protection and did not encounter any incidents either. They visited the families and played with the children.
Two escorts went out with Z. and were joined by Y., another shepherd and they continued to Ein A- Shik. The sheep halted occasionally to eat the sparse grass that had sprouted after the rain. The atmosphere was calm and at a certain point the shepherds lit a small campfire, took out food they had brought from home, prepared tea, and rested. Meanwhile the sheep continued to graze. This outing also passed peacefully and the shepherds returned home with their flocks at 2:00 PM.
However, there are no quiet days in the valley. At 1:00 Y.’s son notified us that settlers had arrived at their tent site and beat Y. in front of his children. Three volunteers went there immediately. The settlers were still there, but moved aside. The police appointed the army to deal with the incident. The soldiers talked to Y., his children, and the settlers ordered the settlers to go back up to their outpost and for the Palestinians to return to their tent site. The soldiers remained for another quarter of an hour and then left. Y. asked the volunteers to stay because he feared that the settlers would return.
The escorts remained until 6:00 in the evening and then returned to Farisiya because they had to leave.
It was decided that there would be volunteers stationed at Y.’s home to guard them during the night. The volunteers were divided into groups to guard Y.’s home and to protect the residents in Farasiya.
The night passed without any incidents in both places.
Location Description
'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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Al-Farisiya / 'Ein a-sakut
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Al-Farisiya / 'Ein a-sakutA community of shepherds in the Jordan Valley opposite the settlement of "Rotem". Making a living from grazing sheep, the residents are exposed to harassment, abuse and theft from settlers who come to them from outposts and settlements in the area, and their grazing area is shrinking due to settler takeovers, fire zones and declared nature reserves.Machsom Watch companies participate in shepherd escort activities and provide a 24/7 protective presence, and there is continuous and warm contact with the community.
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