Returning to Zanuta by Court Order

Meitar Checkpoint was quiet as usual.  The parking lot was almost empty as usual as it has been since the beginning of the war.  No one is permitted to enter Israel, there is no work, and the tension and distress are increasing.

We drove towards Susiya and near the village of Zanuta that was abandoned since the end of 2023 we saw dozens of people, flocks, and cars going towards the village.  It was an exciting sight   We also entered the village and met Faras and others who has dispersed to various places after they had been evicted.   It was extremely exciting.

The place was completely destroyed.  The settlers demolished the school with a bulldozer, uprooted trees, and erected roadblocks.

The court permitted the residents to return to the village some time ago, but people were afraid to return because of the settlers who harassed them in every possible way.   This time they were permitted to return by the authorities and there were army vehicles at the junction.  People from the media were present and there were volunteers from abroad with cameras present to protect the residents 24/7.  There were also attorneys present from various organizations.

The men intended to stay in the village with their flocks to put things in order.  They are not permitted to rebuild because the buildings will be demolished.  They hope that their families will eventually be able to join them.  

It is difficult to know how this incident will develop and whether other communities who were evicted will decide to return despite the danger.   We hope that they will.  It was, for a change, a day of light and hope.

From there we continued on to Susiya to Achmed and Em Sara, who live closest to the settlement.   The settlers come day and night to harass them, uproot olive trees, and cause disorder.

The settler named Shem Tov from ancient Susiya, came to grace his flocks and evicted Ahmed and his sheep.   Several weeks ago the settlers threw  a Molotov cocktail into his house.  Luckily it did not catch fire but since then he and his daughter sleep outside  in the wagon.  That way he can hear when people approach and the dogs bark.  Two volunteers also live with him who are meant to discourage the settlers.  We hope this will help. 

But for them it was another day of survival.