Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Sun 15.4.12, Morning

Translator:  Charles K.

At 7 AM many laborers crowded on the Israeli side of the Sansana crossing.  The fenced corridor on the other side is already empty.

Route 60

We continued on Route 60.  Heavy traffic, few military vehicles.  Groups of pupils walk to school along the roadside.

Men and women wait to take taxis to their destinations.  Just like any other country, but here it’s not like any other country. 

Hebron

Posters in Kiryat Arba invited us to celebrate Independence Day at Netzer.  Is that name familiar?  Farther on, at the entrance to Hebron, on “Erez” lane, soldiers had taken up positions on the roof of a house – “grass widow,” they call it.  Hebron has been deserted by both them and by the others.  Only at Beit Gutnik is anyone “celebrating” – the deafening freilach music as early as 8 in the morning, apparently so the Palestinian residents of the area will also be caught up in the “celebration.”  Groups of visitors climb up to the Cave of the Patriarchs.  The normal routine of a definitely abnormal place.