Ein al-Hilweh, Jordan Valley: They return to live in the ruins of their house
I went this morning with the wonderful Bosmat and escort Sophia to make a solidarity visit to the family whose home was destroyed in Ein Al-Hilwa.
We brought food packages to all four families. Kadri and his wife have built themselves a small hut on the destroyed ground using long wooden beams covered with blankets and large fragments of tarpaulin. They have connected the only remaining energy panel to a battery so they have a fridge that works alternately with a fan. And they would sit in the small space that protects them from the burning sun. It should be noted that the demolition squad also took the trouble to destroy the only tree in the area.
They took out whatever they could from the ruins – sofas, chairs, kitchen utensils, blankets. People are bringing them food. The case was due to be heard in court yesterday.
Our escorts come and bring them things. The family are waiting for a decision so they can rebuild their home. To correct my previous report, I now know that their parents have been there since 1967, because at that time most of them fled to Jordan, and they started out on the journey but decided to return because the wife remembered they had left chicks behind and there was no one who would take care of them – that’s the story they tell. Whatever the case, apparently the army-settlers-state have decided to implement the contingency plan and cleanse the Jordan Valley of its Arab residents, and we are here to bear witness just as we are witnessing the massacre in Gaza.
When we visited Kadri’s brother, his wife told us that while we were in the pasture, four settlers arrived and told them that they should leave and go to Jordan, because if not ….
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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