Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

We leave Omer at 06:48.  Masses of people wait for transportation on the Israeli side of the Meitar/Sansana checkpoint.  We moved to the Palestinian side; only the last of those crossing were waiting.  On the other hand, people not allowed for various reasons to enter Israel are there at this hour; we were glad to give them Sylvia’s phone numbers. 

We drove toward Hebron.  Much snow by the roadside and covering the fields.  We saw many greenhouses that had collapsed because of the storm, vines damaged by the cold – the severe weather seems to have been quite harmful.  There’s a soldier in the booth at the Beit Haggai junction; the gate to Hebron is open.  At the southern entrance to Hebron opposite Bani Na’im there’s been an accident; the army is there, and a checkpoint. 

Hebron is snowy.  The road at Curve 160 is half-closed by snow; it’s dangerous for those driving.  The Pharmacy junction is full of snow; pupils are glad of it, sliding around.  Snow and ice next to the building in which soldiers inspect people crossing; many people – particularly children – slip.  Leah asks why they don’t do something about it.  The answer:  “We did,” in a tone of “it’s not my problem.”  A mobile structure with a blue roof but no door has been placed at Giv’at Gal. 

A flying checkpoint at Dura junction, inspecting cars.  A car with yellow (Israeli) license plates is detained, suspected of being stolen.  A youth in the middle of the road sells cups of coffee to drivers for half a shekel.