Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Wed 5.10.11, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
09:30-11:30
The roads aren’t crowded, the humanitarian checkpoint is quiet, entrances to the city are blocked as usual. A sign: “This is Israel, ya Salah!”
We’re stopped at the entrance to Kiryat Arba, but immediately released.
Hebron
A large sukkah is being erected in the Baruch Goldstein compound.
Hebron is quiet, its streets almost deserted.
Two (uncooperative) paratroopers at Tel Rumeida stop a youth, inspect and immediately release him. Raya says that’s because of our presence, as well as the TIPH vehicle that happened to pass.
A sign: “Hebron is the link.”
A large group of young people at the Cave of the Patriarchs – boys with yarmulkes – apparently returning from visiting the site, then another large group, of girls, in skirts – apparently from schools in Kiryat Arba. A singer with a loudspeaker sings Hassidic melodies on the grass in front of the site.
A Border Police soldier reads my badge: “Human rights? Which? Ours or theirs? Are you a leftist?” and walks away.
The owner of the souvenir shop next to Abed’s store thanks me for also noticing him, looking into his shop and talking to him. (“Thank you, Machsom Watch, for coming into my place also.”) He’d very much want us to buy from him as well.
Tarqumiyya
At the grocery at the entrance to Tarqumiyya they pack the labaneh and the pitas in Israeli plastic bags from Rami Levy and from “Shuarma Revivo” in Be’er Sheva, hoping that will help us get them through the Tarqumiyya crossing – maybe they won’t rummage through the bags as much. But what finally delays us is Raya’s ID card, because since her photograph her hair has grown and the guy in the booth, along with other guards, aren’t able to identify her (she looks younger…). Somehow, with the help of an another woman, they become convinced that Raya in the photo is the same Raya who’s standing before them.