The settlements in the Jordan Valley multiply and expand without interruption
We crossed Bezek Checkpoint at 10:10.
(photo: Rachel H., 13.03.2017)
(photo: Rachel H., 13.03.2017)
The valley is green at this time of year and filled with wildflowers in yellow, white, red, and different shades of purple and large thistles. It is pleasing to see what nature has to offer and saddening to see what the Jewish people are doing here.
El Hemo: We saw that everything was quiet today and we heard nothing aside from what was reported last week.
On December 15th 2016 we reported an expansion of the settlement of Rotem that is located on the ridge south of the present settlement. We saw a fenced area and steel frames for greenhouses, trees, people working, some goats, and a dilapidated trailer. We see that the place has grown since then and there is a flag of the guards in the entrance and new fruit trees have been planted. There is also a round building that is probably for meetings.
The drive up to Tayasir: There are a lot of soldiers in the training area south of Hamam el Malich and near the abandoned army camp. Three planes flew over the area.
We encountered a car from the Red Cross from Jericho on the side of the road and A., who moved to the area following repeated harassment by settlers from Um Zuka and Noam who is in charge of the reserve. His family lives in Tayasir so that his children will be close to the school.
Tayasir Checkpoint is open.
The village of Akaba is attractive and welcoming as always.
The Alon Route: Soldiers are training on the west side of the road. The embankment is in place and it is evident that it has been made higher.
Hamra Junction: There is a woman soldier in the watchtower. The checkpoint is open and the concrete blocks have been painted in glowing colors. The bulldozer is parked in the area of the checkpoint.
Um Zuka: Flags of the Kfir Brigade are flying in the entrance to the army camp. There is also a sign that reads: “Judah Forever, victory begins here.”
Further on the new illegal settlement looks like a cattle ranch. A tractor is spraying saplings, and there is a truck that has been converted to living quarters, two cars, a land rover, and a young man with binoculars. He tells us that “Elias Movers” is not the name of the place, but is the name of a work place. There were a lot of cars on the road leading up to the reserve and the army camp.
We crossed Bezek Checkpoint at 14:10.
Al-'Aqaba (village) / Jordan Valley
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Al Aqaba is located in Area C, in the northern Jordan Valley and near the Tayasir checkpoint. The village is well-kept, clean and tidy, but suffers greatly from the presence of soldiers at the Tayasir camp.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the base near Tayasir in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being. This cut off the connection between the northern Jordan Valley and the Nablus area. MachsomWatch cannot currently reach Aqaba, because Israelis are not allowed to pass through the checkpoint.
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Hamra (Beqaot)
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One of the Jordan Rift Valley checkpoints that prevent direct transit between the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, in addition to Tayasir Checkpoint. Located next to Hamra settlement, on Route 57 and the Allon Road.
Read about the peple of the Jordan Valley and the quiet transfer happening there.
Shahar ShiloahNov-3-2021Ein Shibli: grazing begins close to home
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Tayasir CP
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Located on road 5799, It is one of the checkpoints control the passage between the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley. For a long time, it stood empty and open, with only a sign next to it warning against entering Area A. It was adjacent to an old military camp - now everything is neglected. How much money was invested here, and how much brainwashing was done to the soldiers of Netzah Yehuda and Kfir.
Today, it is very difficult to pass there. Many delays. Often, teachers from Tubas are not allowed to pass into the Valley to villages like Ein al-Bida where the local schools are located, and there are no classes. There are additional days when the checkpoint is closed. In general, there is a wait there of about two to four hours to go towards the Valley and also to return. Many times the Palestinians are forced to use the Hamra checkpoint, which also leads into Tubas and the West Bank, but there is also a huge queue there and a long wait.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the nearby base in February 2025, the checkpoint was completely closed for the time being. (Updated March 2025)
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