South Hebron Hills - settlers invade private Palestinian lands

Place:

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Observers:

Michal (reporting and photographing) and Muhammad; Translator: Natanya

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Sep-8-2022

Morning

South Hebron Hills - Abu Safi's oasis

Photo:

Michal Tsadik

Meitar checkpoint

After Meitar, we see that the breached fence has been repaired. Tractors are now working there: many trees have been uprooted, probably for the purpose of exposing the area in the army language, and now piles of dirt are being piled up to make it difficult to pass through anywhere.

We went to Abu Safi, who lives on his land , in a kind of valley at the foot of the South Mount Hebron regional council buildings, and near the (wild) Mitzpe Asael outpost. A little above the desert oasis of Abu Safi, Israel Kaplan's farm was established. This has already been mentioned in many reports. Kaplan chose to establish his farm separately from the surrounding old outposts.

Abu Safi says that the settler Israel Kaplan constantly abuses him. Kaplan passes through almost every day with his flocks (probably on purpose), invades his private lands, then the settler's sheep eats or destroys all the crops belonging to Abu Safi.

Abu Safi tries to communicate with him and make some settlement . But it doesn't help. Kaplan is sure of his righteousness and his historical right to settle there and continues to invade and harrass unhindered. Abu Safi's neighbor arrives and also tells about the same problem.

Abu Safi will send a video illustrating the invasion of the settler and his herd.

Location Description

Yata / Southern Hebron hills

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Yatta is a city located in the South Hebron Hills region. It is located in the border zone between the fertile area of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants. The surrounding villages are called Masafar Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, a number of settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with the withholding of water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.

There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Road blocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.

Updated April 2022

Apr-10-2024

Muhammad D.

Sa'ir - Yael and Ahmad

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Meitar

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Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

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The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit.

In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded.

Updated April 2022