Hebron, Sansana, South Hebron Hills, Tue 8.6.10, Morning
Translation: Bracha B.A.
Meitar Crossing
Thanks to the people in charge of the crossing, all the workers have already crossed by 06:45 and waiting for rides.
Route 60
The entrance to Dahariya is open. A brand new asphalt shines in the sun, but a red sign warns against entry into Area A. Perhaps we fantasized about visiting Dahariya. A lot of students are walking along the road to Dura Elfawwar and Bnei Naim. There is a sheep market at the sheep junction and the IDF is present to ensure order. On the way back we saw that the sheep market was over and the army and police are keeping watch over a fire in the garbage dump.
Hebron
A wide road is being built at the entrance to Kiryat Arba together with the Nofei Mamreh neighborhood - evidence that what is being done here is not a halt to settlement building but exactly the opposite. Someone is converting Kiryat Arba into a Jewish city, slowly enclosing the Palestinian homes and farmlands in the vicinity. In Hebron itself everything is as usual: the soldiers from the NAHAL are positioned at every checkpoint and entry but are not checking anyone, and the TIPH people are on Shouhada Street
The Cave of the Patriarchs
Members of the CPT arrive from the Palestinian side of the tombs and we are happy to talk to them. Abed from the souvenir shop offers chairs and tea, but the soldiers from the NAHAL insist upon seeing our driver's certificate, and we insist upon showing ours as well, reminding him that we are all Israeli citizens. He reminds us not to go to the Cave of the Patriarchs because of the regulations following the massacre by Baruch Goldstein..
Passers-by are checked briefly and then released immediately.On the way back we stop at our favorite grocery store in Dura alfawwar and buy home-grown cucumbers, goat's cheese, peppers, and other items. At the junction the soldiers stop us and ask for our IDs. They ask what nice women like us are doing here. "Don't you know that you're not allowed to go into Arab villages? You might be kidnapped and what would we do then?" The soldiers look at M, our driver, and add, "We're not worried about Bedouin, but about you." Soon the authority on the phone allows us to continue on our way. How can we explain that we see much greater danger for the People of Israel?