'Anabta, Eliyahu Crossing, Habla, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Te'enim Crossing, Tue 26.10.10, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Karen L., Gila P., Alma V. (new), Shoshi A. (reporting) Translation: Galia S
Oct-26-2010
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Afternoon

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010, p.m.

Observers: Karen L., Gila P., Alma V. (new), Shoshi A. (reporting)

Translation: Galia S.

 

Habla

 

14:10 – The gate is open. In fact, these days the gate is always open at noon, from 13:00 to 14:15. No one passes. The soldiers are getting ready to close the gate. The Hummer is waiting for them.

We leave.

 

Eliyahu Gate

 

14:30 – Thin traffic in both directions.

 

14:45 – We are at the entrance to Hirbet Isla. Karen has made an appointment to meet with Abu Acram, the head of the village, but since we are early, he doesn't answer the phone. We go to the Agricultural Gate through the dirt road but we find it closed. On the other side of the patrol road five Palestinians are sitting waiting for the gate to open. It usually opens for 15 minutes only.

 

15:00 - We meet Abu Acram.

 

Hirbet Isla

 

Three families, about 1000 residents, live in the village. Up to the age of 9, the children go to school in the village. Later they are taken by taxis to Azzun. The entire village has about 1000-1250 acres of land, part of which is in the village itself and another part – on the other side of the fence.

 

Abu Acram has seven children, five of whom didn't get permits to pass through the Agricultural Gate to work their lands. The two sons who got permits work in Israel and can help in the olive picking only at weekends.

 

Ninety percent of the village people who asked for passage permits got affirmative answers, and he has no idea why his sons were refused permits by the Shabak [Israeli General Security Service]. What he says is that if they did something wrong, they have to be prosecuted. Karen asked if they have spoken to the committee dealing with and they say that Tusia Cohen, a lawyer from Qdumim, has done it on their behalf but received no explanation, either.

 

His son, Muhammad, used to work in a ladder factory in Alfei Menashe, but three years ago his permit was taken by soldiers at the checkpoint and since then he hasn't been working.

 

Abu Acram asks us to help him get the permit. All the details he gives us will be passed to Tami C. and (or) Sylvia P.

 

According to him, a new settlement called Giv'at Tal is being set up near Alfei Menashe on lands stolen from the people of the village.