Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Tue 9.8.11, Morning

Meytar Crossing:

There are a lot of trucks and a few people. The checkpoint is empty and there is little traffic along Route 317.

Hebron

It is Ramadan and the city is empty. Stores are closed and there are only a few people about. No one is being detained at any of the checkpoints.

It is the Jewish fast day of the 9^th of Av and there are consequently a lot of Jews at the Cave of the Patriarchs. A soldier from the Border Patrol directs us to a side route to avoid the traffic.

Both Jews and Arabs are fasting today. It is advisable for us to arrive in Hebron later since people go out later during Ramadan. 

We decided to continue on Route 60 to Karmei Yosef. There is a sign at the entrance to the settlement saying: "Shay Nitzan is an Enemy of the Torah". 

There are vineyards laden with grapes. Today because of the fast there is no one about, and usually there are reports that the settlers attempt to prevent the Palestinians from entering their fields.

On the hill overlooking the gate of the settlement about 300 meters away is a sign and an Israeli flag. The sign reads "Givat Shore." There is also a sign with an arrow at the side of the road there is also a sign pointing to the hill attesting that it is named after Eyal and Yael Shorek (the names somehow ring no bells). We should follow up to see if there is a genuine attempt to erect a settlement here or if this is simply an educational game of young settlers.)

We saw nothing out of the ordinary on the way back via Route 60.