Sha'ab al-Butum - reality requires the presence of volunteers
This time we started from Tarkumiya to meet with an acquaintance who came with another person and asked for help in filling out some form in Hebrew. It was an opportunity to see what was happening there in the area. At the turn at the Idna-Tarkumiya intersection, the yellow barriers are closed, the square there is full of Israeli flags.
While driving, Fatma calls from Susiya and tells about the ruins in A-Tuwani. But they were waiting for us in Sha'ab al-Butum, also to see how the settlement in front of them is expanding.
Further along Route 35 to Hebron:
The humanitarian crossing to Hebron is closed. The other entrances next to Hebron are open. At the intersection Shuyukh is closed on both sides of the road.
Army at the entrance to Hebron. The entrance to Kiryat Arba with a checkpoint manned by a soldier. The entrance to Bani Naim is open. Zif junction: the road to Yatta is open. At the grocery store there we bought food supplies for the Jabarin clan in Sha'ab al-Butum. The cheap prices there allow us to buy more supplies.
We arrived at Sha'ab al-Butum. The new buildings of the settlers are being built, of course. It's quiet there this morning, but they were told that now is a break. In the morning they were working, but they contacted attorney Qamar Mishraki, who is handling their affairs, and she called the manager and reported/asked about this vigorous construction. Perhaps this was the reason for the break. We met there two elderly volunteers from the peace organization ISM (International Solidarity Movement). They slept there last night. It requires the constant presence of volunteers, much to the dismay of the settlers and their attempts to dissuade them.
It's important and it's a little daunting. Laila and her husband talk about their day and night routine of driving around with ATVs belonging to the people of Mitzpe Avigail outpost and the new settlement. There is also the bus that became a residential building to their right on another hill. The trend of settlements surrounding every compound where families live continues.