Hebron, Thu 8.4.10, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
Hebron stories
- Shimshon battalion is leaving the city
- The Tombs of the Patriarchs celebrate
- Michael’s initiatives
Hebron is back to normal.
The invitations to the Tombs of the Patriarchs Happening during the intermediate days of Passover are still posted at the entrance to the city.
Construction continues apace in the Nofei Mamreh neighborhood. The settlement on the opposite hill grew – another shed was added.
The flags of the Shimshon battalion have been exchanged for those of the Nahal. Army trucks load and unload equipment. Our experience is that the Nahal soldiers behave much more humanely. Soldiers stand, as usual, at all the inspection sites, but don’t detain anyone.
At the Tombs of the Patriarchs we hear deafening music. Many visitors get off the buses. All of them want to see the improved asset. The souvenir shops are also open – perhaps today the shopkeepers will earn their bread.
Everything here is “wonderful.”
Up the street, at the turn to Tel Rumeida, TIPH staff are gathered, along with members of peace groups, opposite an army position. It turns out that a man, an amputee, passed and dared to say something to the soldier who asked him to stop. The soldier tried to confiscate his cellphone, and send him away. Everyone is simply watching. The young people from abroad call us over, because they’re afraid to say anything to the soldiers. We come over and stand opposite the soldiers. This time, that’s enough. The cellphone is returned and the man goes on his way.
We go visit Michael, Tzipi’s son. We have to bring him schnitzels, and pick up laundry. Michael has been in Hebron more than two years. He arrived under the auspices of “B’Tselem” and showed people how to take photographs. This unusual person remained in the city, fixed up a ruin with the help of friends and turned it into a center for good works. The house has a monk’s cell for Michael, a kitchenette, a dining nook and a comfortable, inviting lounge. He turned the roof into the sleeping quarters.
This morning (he tells us happily), he’ll begin teaching English on the second floor, which has been turned into a classroom. While he speaks, young women – some accompanied by little children – arrive and go up for the lesson.
The women are the mothers of the children to whom Michael is teaching photography. They’ve already made short films, one minute long. All live in the neighborhood that’s next to Tel Rumeida, and all “benefit” from Yif’at, who spits at them, and her friends.
Michael doesn’t stop here. He also set up a local TV studio – Heb2 – focusing on the daily lives of the residents of the H2 area. They film their daily routine, their discussions and their celebrations. You can watch on the internet.
His house is right next to the soldiers guarding the Tel Rumeida neighbohood, and the sounds of their radio communications and their conversations are part of his life. They can also enjoy this special place, filled with heartwarming human activities. Michael is a quite a guy, and it looks as if he hasn’t run out of ideas.
Where are others like him…