Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Thu 21.3.13, Morning

Originally, it was our intention to have an art activity at the hashem el-Daraj preschool but because Huda was not feeling well our visit to the preschool was cancelled.  Instead, we decided to go to Hebron because we heard that the previous day children there threw rocks at soldiers who then fired tear gas in order to disperse them.

Before going to Hebron, we stopped at the Um-el-Hir preschool where we had arranged to meetmHamed who was there with members of the Village Group. As we travelled along route 317 passing illegal and legal settlements and also Palestinian villages (which as usual do not have their names signposted), we saw Israeli flags flying from the electrical poles.  It was clear that the flags had been hung by an official body (the army? - who is in control of the area) because it is a task that requires a crane.  Why is this helpful?  At the entrance to the Carmel settlement, a sign advertised a new neighborhood.

In Hebron, there were many army personnel but it was quiet.  We didn't see any signs of yesterday's events. We met a member of the Abu-Jabar family who invited us to coffee.  In the plaza of the Cave of the Patriarchs, there was a group of Indian tourists.  What do they really see?  Do they see the Palestinians who go through the narrow roadblock that runs along the opposite wall and the blocked up houses on the worshipers' route?

We talked to members of TIPH who were doing their rounds.  They didn't see or hear about the events of yesterday.  What are they doing there?