Visit and accompanying the shepherds in Khalat Makhul
07:00 – Khalat Makhul
After the sheep drank water from their troughs and we all went out with the flock. We walked slowly over the hills and they stopped occasionally to graze when there was grass. On the way back Ben stopped to talk with an officer from the camp nearby. He warned us that this was an area where the army practiced throwing grenades such as those that we received on Friday at Tawani. On our way back it became apparent that guests had arrived at the shepherds’ tents, so we let the shepherd B. go to receive them and returned with the flock.
We filled the water troughs and fed the flock seeds and B. arrived to help.We spoke with the guests, Yair Bontzel, M.K. Yair Golan, and their aides and Rachel and Galia. B. described life in the region and the limitations that the settlers impose on them.
As usual, the visit ended after we sat with B., who prepared hot drinks and we talked and listened to music until 12:00.
The day ended with a visit with B.’s brother’s family. We discussed the plan for loaning them boxed games and we left games for the children. We all had a good time.
Khalet Makhul
See all reports for this place-
Khalet Makhul
A small settlement of a shepherd community located on the way to the settlement of Hemdat. Two nearby outposts make life miserable for the Palestinians, who make a living from grazing, and the army backs the settlers. As a result, the possible grazing areas are getting smaller.
The local children attend school in the settlement of Ein Al-Beida. Long lines of 3 hours sometimes stretch out at the Hamra and Tayasir checkpoints leading to the town of Tubas, making it difficult to get water, supplies, and sell the cheese, milk, and meat that the residents produce for their living.
Following a deadly attack at the Tayasir checkpoint in February 2025, the checkpoint was closed completely for the time being.
(Updated March 2025)
-