Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Tue 8.2.11, Morning

Translation: Bracha B.A.

Meitar Crossing

It is 06:45 and cold outside. The workers have already crossed to the Israeli side and there are a few prisoners' families waiting under the shed. When we returned, there were two busses and several cars waiting to be checked. We didn't see any dogs today (see 07.02.11 report).

Route 60

Thanks to the grim weather, the presence of the army is hardly visible. Soldiers are not outside hence do not set up temporary roadblocks nor emerge from their pillboxes other than under Beit Hagai near the southern entrance to Hebron, where a jeep is standing. What are they guarding and what are they trying to prevent?

We fail to understand the logic behind the occupation. At the Sheep Junction the market is running as usual without any interference. School break is over and children are walking along the roadside to school. It makes us tense to watch them with the vehicles speeding by.  The almond trees blossom and green hills offer a false sense of pastoral calm.

At the entrance to Kiryat Arba there are a lot of people waiting at the junction. It appears that the entrance to Kiryat Arba construction is almost complete and there will be an elaborate promenade there. We did not see anything out of the ordinary regarding the arrest of Rabbi Leor. 

Hebron

Soldiers from the Tzabar battalion of the Givati Brigade man all checkpoints but check no one. The soldiers at the checkpoint near the Patriarchs' Tombs' Cave, on the other hand, are all from the Border Police and are a different story altogether.

We saw two detainees waiting, so we waited as well. We waited and waited while the soldiers amused themselves playing a game with their rifle with some settler children.

Representatives from other peace organizations were also present there, so we left. On our way back, however, the detainees were still there, so I asked one of the soldiers why they are being held for over 20 min. (as they are not allowed to be by current regulations).

"What's that to you?" asks the soldier.

I answer that it's of great consequence to me as I am an Israeli citizen just like him and I care about what's done in my name to other people.

"Yalla, yalla, get out of here. And tell your driver to beat it too!" his friend then adding "What are you doing here anyway?" 

The detainees thank us for intervening, but we realize that our continued presence there might only worsen matters for them, so we leave.

That's Hebron and that's the occupation. They don't contribute anything except hate and violence.