Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

09:00-14:00

Crossings

The parking lot at the Meitar crossing is packed – back to normal until the next holiday.

Although no cars are going through the Metzudat Yehuda crossing – just us – the guard still holds his weapon at a 90 degree angle from his body.  I hate weapons.

Highway 317

A banner at Susya reads “Terrorists are being freed, terror is having a field day, but Bogie fights Jews.”  It’s funded by an organization called Derekh Ha’im.

Below the Carmel settlement we see a squad of four soldiers who were called by a settler to expel Suleiman, from Umm al Kheir, who’s grazing his flocks.  The excuse: there’s a new list of areas permitted for grazing and he’s on privately-owned land belonging to the Carmel settlement.  The soldier starts preaching morality to us – traitors, why aren’t we with our grandchildren – the squad commander is the only one allowed to speak, imposes silence on his subordinates.  The settler drives past on a tractor.  Spits and curses at us.  We phone Ezra…he’s more familiar with the details.  We drive away as Suleiman tries to find another location.  Our hearts are heavy.  The Palestinian farmers don’t allow him to graze near their lands either.  In 1948 he was expelled from land near Tel Arad and bought the land he owns today for 100 camels.  But nobody recognizes his ownership.  A sad, unjust story.

Hebron looks deserted.  The excavation at Tel Rumeida continues.  A., from B’Tselem, and peace activists tell us this Passover was relatively peaceful compared to prior years.

Here’s the banner hung at Beit HaMeriva in honor of the holiday:  “Celebrating freedom/On the way to redemption:  A new exhibit at Beit HaShalom near the Cave of the Patriarchs”

Hebron’s streets and all the highways are festooned with Israeli flags.

That’s what occupiers do.