Walls and Blockades

Translator:  Charles K.

06:30  Most of the laborers at the Sansana checkpoint have already crossed to the Israeli side; dozens  still wait for their rides.  Next to the revolving gate we meet a CPT representative.  He says about 4,000 people crossed this morning, without any unusual incidents.  A short distance along Highway 60 we see a large sign by the roadside:  “Welcome to Har Hebron – Come to visit, come to connect, come to stay.”

We turn onto Highway 317 and…”Fulfill your dreams in Sussiya,” flags of the homeland waving gently along the road in the morning breeze.  The highway is empty, deserted, as is the little village of a-Taywwani.  We stopped next to the “archaeological excavations” carried out about a year ago.  We looked around – the excavations are fine!  And the landowner, who wanted only to lay a water line in order to have flowing water at home was”granted” a dubious structure for his sheep.  But water?  Nope.

We wanted to accompany the children on their way to school but it was too early so we drove on to Hebron.

We passed the Carmel settlement where a sign proclaims “Carmel’s new neighborhood – 13 housing units;” construction is well-advanced.   Just this morning Ha’aretz reported that the Americans gave their tacit consent to construction “only in the large blocs.”  Is Carmel also in one of the “large blocs”?

We drive on.  Poor villages line the road.  A woman carries a pail of water on her head and holds a second in her hand, just like in the … 16^th century…  Along the road, before Zif junction, dozens of children walk to school.

Hebron. 

The Ja’abari family built an additional house near the beginning of the Kiryat Arba –Hebron road.  We hope it will stand a long time.

On the upper road past Beit Hameriva/Hashalom is a roadblock where some Palestinian cars whose drivers have crossing permits are allowed to stop, the driver may lift the roadblock, go through, then replace it without having to “bother” the soldiers guarding the house, and thus be able to use the road.  But they’re only a chosen few.  Most have to take a detour on a bumpy road restricted to Palestinians…

“There’s no limit to idiocy,” Yael says.

CPT women at the Pharmacy checkpoint tell us that Issa was arrested the day Obama met Abu Mazen and has been in jail since.  They don’t know what happened to him.  They also said children told them that in a booth at one of the crossings where they’re often stopped to have their schoolbags inspected there are photos of children on the wall and many times they’re asked to identify the children in the photos and asked their names.  We promised to try and find out what’s going on.  They also said that during 65 days, 45 children had been arrested!  We later phoned a local acquaintance to find out where Issa is.  It turns out he had been held for two days and then released without having been charged with anything.

We saw new signs at Tel Rumeida (only in Hebrew, of course) directing visitors “To the tombs of Yishai and Ruth – to Admot Yishai.” 

There’s also a large new sign on Shuhadah Street (“King David Street,” according to Anat Cohen) at the corner of the Avraham Avinu neighborhood:  “The ancient Jewish Quarter Avraham Avinu Synagogue.”

Translator:  Charles K.

There were 42 participants and two guides (50 had registered; 8 cancelled prior to the tour).

We covered the “classic loop”: Highway 55 from Qalqilya, Highway 60 to Huwwara,  Highway 5 to Elkana.

Areas included:

The Alfei Menashe seam zone, including the Habla gate checkpoint and the view from Alfei Menashe / Jayyus / Qadum / Huwwara checkpoint / Huwwara village / the Elkana seam zone including the Azzun Atma checkpoint and Hani’s home.

The tour left Tel Aviv at 11.15 and ended at 18.30.

We stopped on the Green Line near Qalqiliya, on the bridge over Highway 6.  From there, near Alfei Menashe, we observed the fence blocking the villages of Ras a-Tira and Wadi Rasha from accessing their lands.  We then continued to the Habla checkpoint / agricultural gate.

Although we arrived at the Habla checkpoint during the hours it was to have been open, we weren’t able to see it in operation.  It was locked because the army hadn’t come to open it.  We telephoned the DCO, who told us they were aware of the delay.  Don’t worry, the soldiers will arrive.  When?  Not clear.  We waited 20 minutes and left.  And thus we experienced what happens to Palestinians at this supposed crossing.

Meetings with Palestinians:

We weren’t able to meet with Umar at the plant nursery in the seam zone (at the Habla gate) because it was Saturday.  But the meeting with Na’im in Jayyus made a very strong impression, primarily because of his personality and the way he presented the information, “spiced” with personal and family stories, and in fluent Hebrew.  He accompanied us along the fence and we saw his lands on the other side.  We heard about arrests of youths at night, about intimidation and fear, about those blacklisted by the Shabak and the yearning for peace.

The meeting with Sakkar at Qadum was important in order to become acquainted with the fact that although the locality has no fence, he’s prevented from reaching his lands (there’s a virtual fence: starting at a particular post…).   He’s also prevented by a checkpoint from reaching Nablus via the shortest route, which he used to take long ago.  Because the settlement of Quedumim doesn’t want them nearby, a checkpoint was established (security).

We walked with Sakkar along the route the inhabitants take during their demonstrations – from the village center to that same post beyond which they know they’re not allowed to proceed.  The path is black from tires burned by the residents during every demonstration in order to prevent the army from entering the village.

Even though the demonstration is non-violent the army fires tear gas and sprays stinking liquid at them, and sometimes employs dogs.  That’s the ritual that’s been repeated every Friday after prayers for two years.  Like at Bil’in.

We saw the Palestinian villages along Highway 60 (Asira Qabaliya, Madama and Burin), above whom, on the hills on both sides of the road, are the violent settlements that harass them and their olive groves – Gil’ad Farm, Beracha and Yitzhar (some say the area lives “between a blessing [Beracha] and a curse.”)

We didn’t stay at the Huwwara checkpoint because time was short.  We only observed the empty terminal from the bus.  A monument to the checkpoint which pointlessly tortured people for six years.  Soldiers tried to move us away but we didn’t react because we hadn’t intended to stay in any case.  The view from the bus, along with the stories, was enough.

Participants in the tour were amazed by the atmosphere in the village of Huwwara – as if the “conflict” never existed.  Everyone was calm.  Welcoming us, as is traditional among Palestinians.  Falafel, coffee, and – as noted – the overall atmosphere made their effect felt.  It’s an experience not to be missed.

We crossed through the Shomron crossing checkpoint without inspection.

And ”last but not least” – the Elkana seam zone:

The Azzun Atma checkpoint and Hani’s besieged home- the entire occupation in a nutshell.

Summary of the feedback we received:

Of the 42 participants (including two friends of ours who came with their families), we received the following responses to questions:

12 were interested in obtaining material from us

15 men and women expressed interest in joining us

15 didn’t respond

How did you hear about the tour?

16 – the ad in Ha’aretz

1 – the internet

10 – from friends (some of them via Ha’aretz)

1 – Psycho Active

Only 3 (unfortunately) from Machsom Watch members

From the feedback we received via email:

Thanks to Dalya for guiding this fascinating and very important tour.

Many Israelis should take a tour like this.

As I always say – Machsom Watch women are the country’s eyes.

Thank you, and best wishes

Buma Inbar  054-767 0511

And from the previous tour on 27.3 with the “Meretz” forum against the occupation

Dear Dalya:

Thank you for the tour and your patient, professional guidance.  Many of the participants told me they’d learned much that was new, and some included information from the tour and their praises on Facebook.

Musi Raz.

Thank you for yesterday’s excellent tour.  Even for those participants well-acquainted with the political reality of Israel that life here has inured us to, and who are seemingly very familiar with the praxis of separation and the unbearable regime under which Palestinians in the occupied territories live, the tour was a must.

The tour was excellently planned and carried out.  The wonderful and accurate tour leadership allowed participants to learn about the various complex issues which the Palestinians confront.  Despite the feelings of anger and frustration accompanying a tour like this, we are proud of Machsom Watch, of its worthy activities on behalf of the Palestinians,but which are also on behalf of our own society.

C.L.

Guests:  Two tourists from the US accompanying Netanya

Translator:  Charles K.

In photo: flying checkpoint in Dahariyya.

Meitar crossing

There are no more people crossing on foot when we drive away and vehicles cross quickly, without problems.

Highway 60 

A flying checkpoint at Dahariyya – reservists, very strict, stopping almost every car – it’s not clear why.  One man waits a very long time because he doesn’t have his ID with him.  Annoying…

In general, almost no military vehicles.

Hebron

Much less military presence than last week.  Nor is anyone detained.  The road on the worshipper’s route has been repaired.

Two occupation stories:

1.  The carpenter living on the Tzion route (below Beit Hameriva) who wants a permit to bring his vehicle in (40 Palestinians already have such a permit) has been refused for more than a month…He asks us for help – Captain Amir puts him off, sends him hither and yon…He notices us next to Beit Hameriva and asks for our assistance – we gave him Chana’s phone number; we hope she can help him.  His family and his pregnant wife who can barely descend the stairs down to their home past Beit Hameriva wait in the car…

2.  A Border Police soldier in the parking lot opposite the Cave of the Patriarchs is “nice” to us until he realizes we’re a left wing organization, and stops talking to us.  He also yells at an Arab tour guide from East Jerusalem with a blue ID card who wants to park next to ‘Abed’s shop – you’re an Arab; you can’t park here.

Apartheid and the occupation routine.  One of the tourists who’s with us says, “it’s a ghost town”…and I have nothing left to say.

in the photos:

1. Israeli police detaining an israeli vehicle at the enterance to Yatta, in area A, where Israelis are prohibited to enter.

2. A new blockage (put only yesterday) on the way connecting the vineyard belonging to the settler Menachem Livni and Bani Na'im.

Translator:  Charles K.

Southern Hebron Hills

We drove to Hebron on Highway 317 to meet a man from Yatta and give him a present from our northern colleagues and from me in honor of his son’s birth.  He thanks us very much, feels uncomfortable:  “Isn’t it enough that you help me; must you also give me a present?”

I tell him that I hope he’ll soon be able to support his family and won’t need our help, but for now we women understand what it’s like for someone who’s just given birth and ask him to buy whatever she and the baby need.

People tell us that the police enter Area A at Yatta, arresting and fining people, even though they’re not allowed to do so.  We actually saw them, and asked the police officer whether they’re permitted.  “Of course,” they say, “because we’re using a security vehicle; it’s armoured.”  So they’re allowed, and anyway “stop bothering us and leave.”  An ill five year old boy lies in the detained vehicle.  The police officers say he’s ok, they talked and joked with him; he’s pretending to be very sick just because we’re here.  We didn’t want to make trouble so we “bothered” them only a little more, and drove away hoping the situation would be quickly resolved.  Someone should check with the Israeli police to determine whether they’re outside/above the law and permitted to enter Area A, like they’re allowed to park in a handicapped spot, etc.?!

Beni Na’im, Sa’ir, Kvasim junction, Dura al Fawwar

We drove to the area of the vineyard belonging to Menachem Livni, the settler, bordering the town of Bani Na’im.  There’s in fact a new roadblock between them.  “There were disturbances yesterday,” we’re told.  We saw the rocks and debris left behind by the fury.  We wanted to see whether there were any signs on Highway 60, particularly at the entrance to Sa’ir, of demonstrations during the funeral there yesterday of the prisoner who died in the Kishon jail.  Other than the military presence at the Beit Anun junction and at the entrance to Sa’ir, all was quiet. 

On the way back, at Kvasim junction and at the Dura al Fawwar junction the soldiers who came down from the pillbox appear to have been sent reinforcements.  Reservists wander around.

Hebron

Construction has resumed on Bassam’s roof – Amira Hass wrote about his suffering from the proximity to Beit Hameriva.  Let’s home the hoodlum settlers let him be.

A small boy – 12 years old, we’re told – has been detained at Curve 160.  The soldiers say he threw rocks.  His mother and other adults were talking to the soldiers when we got there.  After a discussion the boy is released; he and his mother walk to their home in the Jabel Johar neighborhood.  People from TIPH are also there, writing down details of the incident.  We tell them we’re afraid that the boy was released because of us, but that they’ll come arrest him at night.  We gave them our phone numbers and asked to be notified if that happens.

Soldiers everywhere on Shuhadah Street.  There are also police at the cemetery.  A funeral is underway; the family “benefits” from a military and police escort.  “Why?”, we ask.  A veteran police officer whom we recognize tells us that the route is guarded during a funeral.  The soldiers call it the Chicago route.

We continued along Shuhadah Street.  Two soldiers at Gross Square stop us:  “Are you allowed to drive here?”, they ask.  “Aways,” we reply.  “Why should today be any different?”

“It’s forbidden,” they say.

“And who are you?”, one of them asks, noticing M., our driver.

“I’m a human being,” he replies.

The super-motivated soldier wants to detain M. to check his identity.  We inform him there’s no reason to detain or to check him and drive on, to his annoyance.  He calls for us to stop; his cries echo in our ears.  Someone apparently explained to him that he’d gone overboard.  We were able to continue. 

Soldiers as usual at all the checkpoints on Shuhadah Street and at Tel Rumeida.  

Translator: Hanna K.

The aim of the tour was to demonstrate to the guests the infringement on the freedom of movement of the Palestinians, and thus to illustrate the activity of MachsomWatch.We arrived at the checkpoints at an hour when the number of Palestinians forced to pass through them was low. The winding separation fence and the gates installed in it, the Palestinian enclaves constricted between the bends or, alternately, the deployment of the settlements on hills and summit above the Palestinian villages are revealed when driving through the territories. But those who don't know the place, whether Israeli or not, cannot understand, without verbal interpretation of the things they see,  the deep penetration of the occupation into the area.

09:00 – We began at the Azzun Atma CP on the road leading to the Elkana and Sha'arey Tikva settlements. As mentioned above very few people pass here. We were watching the CP when one of the soldiers claimed that this was a 'military zone'.

So how come the civilians pass here?" Nora asked. 'Yes, this is complicated' the soldier agreed and went away.

We left a few moments later anddrove in the direction of Elkana in order to see the house of Hany Amar, confined between fences, joined to the settlement. We went back to road no. 5 in order to reach the same point almost, as the separation obstruction blocks the road which was once a central traffic artery, and prevents free passage, from the direction of the village of Mes'ha where Hany Amar is resident.

We drove on the winding by-passing road, which also passes by the entrance to the industrial area of Barkan, where, judging by the number plates of the cars parked outside it, many workers in the industrial area are Palestinians, 'for the glory of economic independence' of Israel; we continued through what once was the  Karwat Bany Husan CP. On roads on which mainly Palestinians travel the pitfalls are many and there are no margins; we arrived at the end of Mes'ha.       

The guests watched the concrete wall which was put up so that it would block from the Amar family the sunlight, but not for the residents of Elkana settlement;They watched the gate which only the Amar family is authorized to enter and leave by; The guests couldn't, of course, believe their eyes and were absolutely amazed when they grasped that the distance from the 'state of Hani Abu Amar' to the Azzunt Atma CP in a straight line is very short. But there is no Palestinian who is allowed to walk on that way.

From there we returned, on the same way we came, to road no. 5 and went to the Za'tara CP. We pointed to the metal arms which, when the so army wishes, they block by them the passage from villages such as Zeita, to the main road.

11:10 Za'tara – on the parking lot the are dogs and women-soldier dog trainers. Palestinian cars travelling from north to south are being checked. When we passed there were three cars in the queue.

12:00 Huwwara CP -the buildings are abandoned, including the 'women's checking cubicle' (the signpost is still there), The fences surrounding them testify to the hundreds and thousands of people who were forced to stand in queue in order to be able to leave Nablus. Today the cars pass without being stopped or checked.

Our guests saw all this, and as they ate falafel and shuarma on the day before at Tel Aviv, they were given the opportunity to learn about the price gaps between Tel Aviv and Huwwara.

When we passed  Kedumim settlement we showed them the places where the settlers try to take over the plots; we told them in short the story of the village of Izbat Tabib and the fact that its residents are refugee from the area of today's Ra'anana.

On the way back we passed the Eliyahu passage CP, and there we underwent the checking of ID cards and passports.  

Translator:  Charles K.

Our guest is a young theater person from the US travelling around Israel and the West Bank to record people and collect material for a play.  As we cross the bridge over Highway 6 I point out the location of the Green Line, the 1967 border.  A few hundred yards farther on we reach the turn to the Habla checkpoint, an agricultural gate open three times a week.  What’s most annoying these days to people cultivating their land beyond the fence is that the gate opens very late in the afternoon when it’s already dark, and they’re forced to wait a long time after they’ve finished working in order to return home to Habla and Qalqilya.

12:45  Habla.  While waiting for the gate to open, A. explains that all the surrounding lands belong to residents of Qalqilya and Azzun who must get special permits which are hard to obtainin order to reach their land.  The separation fence has been built on part of their land, robbing them of a large area because it requires a strip 40-60 meters wide that cuts them off from their holdings.  He mentions the village of A-Tira which had been in the Alfei Menashe enclave until the High Court ordered the fence route changed so it now adjoins their homes, cutting them off from some of their land.  He believes both peoples have a right to their own country, but they also have the right not to be divided from one another.

13:00  Soldiers came to open the checkpoint.  A woman from Habla and two young men from Qalqilya are waiting.  One of the latter speaks a little Hebrew, explaining he works in the plant nurseries, arrives at 8 each morning, goes home in the afternoon.  He earns NIS 70 a day, pays NIS 20 for transportation and NIS 10 for lunch, leaving him with NIS 40.  He has no choice; even NIS 40 is more than he could earn in Qalqilya.

Little traffic in each direction, apparently because of the rain.

13:30  We continued toward Alfei Menashe; we showed our guest the new fence mentioned above that had been built so that Ras a-Tira would be located on the other side, and the big gates through which the villagers were supposed to cross, but they’re always shut (except, possibly, for a few days during the olive harvest season).  Then, after briefly driving through Alfei Menashe, we reached Arab a-Ramadinto see whether the school is still standing.  We saw the start of new construction, in addition to the three classrooms and teachers’ room.  Because of the rain there was no one we could ask whether it was still in danger of being demolished.

14:00  Eliyahu checkpoint.  No cars detained.  They explained that the reason the checkpoint was placed here, a few kilometers from the border, was to take over Palestinian land and to make the residents of Alfei Menashe feel they’re in Israel.

Azzun:  We visited Z., who was very glad for all we brought and was willing to be interviewed and tell his story.  He had been strong and healthy and worked in construction until he was caught by the police without a permit to work in Israel; they beat him badly in the head and everywhere on his body even though he asked them to stop, that he’s not guilty of anything other than the need to work and support his wife and children.  He was jailed for four months and despite his complaints wasn’t permitted to see a doctor.  Since his released he’s been suffering from neurological problems that have prevented him from working.  He’s been examined many times in Palestinian and Israeli hospitals but they haven’t yet discovered the cause of his illness.  He also recounted the time that soldiers invaded his home, broke down the door to search for weapons and saw him trembling.  When he explained that he wasn’t trembling out of fear, but because of illness, they told him that since he couldn’t work he was probably dealing in weapons.  They came with dogs which frightened the children and defiled the refrigerator.

15:00  We drove to Jayyous to show the road passing under Highway 55, the main highway, on which Palestinians drive north to Tulkarm through all the villages.

We returned to Highway 55 heading east, then south via the settlement of Emanuel to Hars, the settlement of Ariel and the Za’tara/Tapuach junction.  This time no soldiers were in position and traffic flowed freely.

16:00  Huwwara.  Recently there have been reports that soldiers are stopping and inspecting cars heading toward Nablus.  We saw no soldiers this time; cars went through in both directions without slowing.  We explained how this large checkpoint far from the border with Israel, separating Nablus from the rest of the West Bank, once operated, forcing people to cross on foot after a long wait in congested lines, and how this “security requirement” that embittered the lives of thousands day after day for years suddenly, one day, simply vanished.

Trans. Charles K.

Raya collected many bags of winter clothing; we drove to give them to Fadel in Umm Faqra.  The family received us happily, with cups of tea, and we saw his attempts to make progress building his house.  (Question:  If you had elections, whom would you vote for?  Neither for Fatah nor for Hamas, because he’s angry.)

There’s a demonstration on Saturday at Tawwani junction because the road between Yatta and Tawwani was closed.  Fadel says he took his six-month old son who was sick to the Yatta hospital; the car got stuck on the boulders blocking the road and they couldn’t continue until a vehicle arrived from Yata.  They transferred the patient by the back-to-back method, like at a checkpoint.

When we left we saw that some of the roadblock, boulders and earth, had been removed by hand by villagers from A-Tawwani, Umm Tuba and Umm Faqra.

We wonder how long it will take before a tractor comes to block the road again.

Hebron

Nothing new here; Kfir brigade soldiers seem calm.  Many tourists at the Cave of the Patriarchs; we’re directed to make a detour. 

We received photocopies of three IDs of people seeking help to obtain Israeli work permits, or at least a magnetic card.  We understand that Sylvia gets them; we’ll give them to her, hoping she can help.

Trans. Charles K.

Raya collected many bags of winter clothing; we drove to give them to Fadel in Umm Faqra.  The family received us happily, with cups of tea, and we saw his attempts to make progress building his house.  (Question:  If you had elections, whom would you vote for?  Neither for Fatah nor for Hamas, because he’s angry.)

There’s a demonstration on Saturday at Tawwani junction because the road between Yatta and Tawwani was closed.  Fadel says he took his six-month old son who was sick to the Yatta hospital; the car got stuck on the boulders blocking the road and they couldn’t continue until a vehicle arrived from Yata.  They transferred the patient by the back-to-back method, like at a checkpoint.

When we left we saw that some of the roadblock, boulders and earth, had been removed by hand by villagers from A-Tawwani, Umm Tuba and Umm Faqra.

We wonder how long it will take before a tractor comes to block the road again.

Hebron

Nothing new here; Kfir brigade soldiers seem calm.  Many tourists at the Cave of the Patriarchs; we’re directed to make a detour. 

We received photocopies of three IDs of people seeking help to obtain Israeli work permits, or at least a magnetic card.  We understand that Sylvia gets them; we’ll give them to her, hoping she can help.

Translator:  Charles K.

We decided to leave at two in the afternoon since the schoolchildren were still on winter vacation.

Route 60

Heavy traffic, also of Israeli cars, but mostly Palestinian.  Here and there people are walking on the roadside.  A little farther on we see agricultural fields that have been very well taken care of.  We see no military presence anywhere.  Blue skies above, the sun warm and pleasant…almost ideal.

Hebron

Election posters of national religious parties at the entrance to Hebron, as well as around the entrance and parking area of the Cave of the Patriarchs.  Later we learn that the Hebronites think they’ll win a large majority.  The Ja’abri kids are playing ball next to Beit Hameriva-Hashalom and wave to us.

Israeli tourists get off buses at the Cave of the Patriarchs plaza.  The checkpoints are very quiet, only bored soldiers.

We go up to Tel Rumeida and take a tour of the “no man’s land” between H1 and H2.  Friendly children on the winding path say hello and each introduces himself.

In Beit Hashoter, where Michael used to live and which today serves as a local, well-maintained sports and community center we meet A., the brother of an old acquaintance.  He came home to Hebron after years abroad attending university.  But today, five months on, he’s unemployed and worried.  A. invites us to sit in his courtyard and talk while his friend prepares tea.  He asks us apprehensively what will happen, since “Bibi will win and his number three, Baruch Marzel, will run Israel.”  We reassure him and ourselves that “Bibi may not win and Baruch Marzel is far from being number three and, God willing, let’s hope he won’t succeed at all.”  At least one hope was realized.  He also refers to the growing despair and anger in Hebron and thinks that Hamas will benefit greatly from it.  “Isn’t that what Bibi wants?”  We had nothing reassuring to respond to that.

On our way back we heard in the local grocery store about two children detained by a policeman at a checkpoint for carrying a cooking gas canister.  Residents of Tel Rumeida are allowed to obtain cooking gas in only one way: to carry the canister themselves or with a hand-cart.  They’re not allowed to use a vehicle.  Not to Tel Rumeida, located on a hill, the road to it from the checkpoint steep and difficult for anyone, particularly with a full canister.  The frightened children, who didn’t have a phone to call anyone they knew, waited until someone from the military unit bothered (thank you) to call a former local member of B’Tselem who came down to the checkpoint, “identified” the children and they went up to Tel Rumeida with their merchandise.  He then came back down to say hello and we were happy to meet a delightful old acquaintance and just stand outside the grocery to chat.