Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Wed 12.12.12, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
Again we preferred to cross via Meitar rather than Tarqumiyya.
Southern Hebron Hills
A bulldozer near Asahel slashes into the hill, apparently to lay a water pipe.
We drove into Umm Faqra to see the demolished mosque and school. A difficult, upsetting sight – “as usual.“
Other nearby buildings under construction covered with plastic sheeting (hoping to be spared from demolition?)
The village gets its water from runoff collected in cisterns, and from a well.
We visited Fadel, his two smiling wives and their two infants. He’s also building a “house” (one small room). We asked him what he’ll do about the expected demolition order; he says he hopes to have it cancelled with the help of people and organizations providing assistance, and an attorney (Insh’allah).
The signs at Soussiya and Ma’on are in Hebrew and English; the Arabic text has been blacked out.
Hebron
Many signs in Kiryat Arba: “Everyone talks; Ben Ari acts.”
A Chabad vehicle with a “Happy Hanukkah” sign, many children on vacation. Palestinian children return from school (it’s noon). Buses and families in the area of the Cave of the Patriarchs. A group of soldiers and officers (from a logistics unit) on a guided tour, not allowed to accept ‘Abed’s invitation to visit his shop.
On our way back – the Chabad cars want to make people (the soldiers?) happy near Beit Haggai as well.
We learned from the first news reports we heard after returning home that we’d just missed the serious incident next to the Cave of the Patriarchs.