Hebron, South Hebron Hills
08:30-12:00
The building of the new checkpoint at the Zion axis beneath Giv'at Ha’avot is advancing at a rapid pace
The H2 area will increase. The merchants and business owners are afraid of the expected drop in their income. They did good business with the settlers. Even Ofer Ohana, whom we met there today, is repairing the car. The Ashmoret Yitzhak Border Police base will enter when the checkpoint is built through Kiryat Arba.
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The fence has a gate that is opened and closed at the whim of the soldiers and border police at the nearby checkpoint. After the last stabbing attempt two weeks ago the apartheid fence in the direction of the Cave of the Patriarchs has been completed. The Border police are at the nearby checkpoint,
We talked for a long time with the neighborhood residents who told us that in order to get home when the gate is closed, they have to walk for more than half an hour. There is no possibility of the Palestinians using their cars in this part of Hebron. Only three residents of the area have permission to enter with taxis to bring people who cannot walk and each trip requires special permission.
This is the gate which is opened by the soldiers in the morning so that the pupils can get to school. The rest of the time here too it is opened according to the arbitrary decisions of the soldiers. At night it is always closed. When we came we saw it open.
The Border police accompanied by paratroopers detained everyone who passed through. The process of release was quick.
A Palestinian is detained.
Thus the Tomb of the Patriarchs is seen on the Palestinian side of the fence, decorated with Israeli flags.
The soldiers are always worried about my safety and that I will not enter the Palestinian side. Jews are forbidden, Arabs are forbidden ... everyone and his side.
In short, apartheid.
The checkpoint at Tel Rumeida is open. There is no permanent checkpoint here because the road leads to the cemeteries. Jewish vehicles are permitted to cross. We mark 50 years of occupation while the settlers celebrate 50 years of liberation. Amir Benayoun and Rami Kleinstein encourage the singers. It is cheap to celebrate at 15 NIS card.
A new inspection post was added opposite the Al Fahiya school and the parking lot of the Cave of the Patriarchs. The paratroopers and the Border Police man it together. As we arrived, the detainee was released. He claimed to have waited an hour in the sun.
Next to Abda on Route 60, a new pillbox is being built. The bulldozers are working and soldiers are guarding them. On our way to Hebron soldiers were guarding Otniel. They were no longer there on our way back.
The part of route 60 from Otniel to Hebron is decorated with Israel's flags and works are being done to widen the road.
According to this, no one seems to have any intention of ending the occupation.