Yatma      

Meeting women, tour of the outskirts of the village which borders the Rechalim settlement and whose houses suffer much and frequent harassment from the settlers.

We arrived at 10:30, as planned.

The meeting with the women in the municipality building had been arranged during Naomi, Hagar and Natalie’s previous visit, in respotma, 1nse to the initiative by A., the women’s club coordinator.

We entered and found 35 women, aged 30-50, awaiting us in a large hall.

The director of the club ran the meeting very pleasantly and efficiently.

The women looked at us warmly and happily.

It was hard to understand why they seemed so supportive.  Nadim explained they long to meet someone from “the outside.”  Since they’re unable to go out into the world – the world has come to them.  It doesn’t happen every day…

But it was more than that.  A few women said something in Hebrew.  Blew kisses.

And primarily – they’re very interested in organizing courses in various subjects:  English, knitting, beadwork, perhaps yoga.  And they want help selling products they prepare.

We decided Nirit would come to talk with them about the possibility of selling over the internet, and in coming weeks we’ll begin teaching English, and handicrafts they want to learn.

For our part, we try to improve what little Arabic we know.  It’s hard to describe their response to our efforts to use our minimal Arabic.

The parting was “promising” insofar as continuing to cooperate with classes and simple enjoyment is concerned.

At the close of the meeting about five women remained who wanted to talk to us about how they suffer from the settlers of Rechalim.

They accompanied us on a tour of the village.

One brought us to her home at the edge of the village.  We saw opposite her courtyard the settlement of Rechalim, on a hill.  A tower rises on the hilltop, from which the village is under continual observation, particularly the houses on its outskirts.

It turns out that the family’s land is located between her home and the settlement.  When the family members go to their land the settlers show up immediately and attack them.  Last time the broke the wall around a Palestinian home, entered the courtyard and beat its inhabitants.

They filed a complaint with the Palestinian DCL, and of course received no response.

They asked us whether we thought there was any point filing a complaint.  We said there was, that it was important for complaints to be filed and there be a record of them.

We left, having decided to remain in contact, both with classes and following up the difficult incidents they’re subject to.

near the Eli We continued to drive for a short time on the road through the villages of Qabalan, Talfit and. Karyut settlement