Beit Furik, Burin (Yitzhar), Huwwara, Jit Junction , Nabi Ilyas

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Observers: 
Anna S., Tamar S., Naomi B. (reporting), Nadim at the wheel.
May-25-2014
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Morning

 

 

Jit, Huwwara, Bet Furik, Burin

 

09:30: Departure from Rosh Ha'ayin railway station.

Though the Pope's visit is due today, we noticed no outstanding military presence along our route.

Our first stop was Nabi Elias. A police vehicle was stationed at the entrance to the village. A few policemen had detained a Palestinian driver and were now questioning him.

We continued along our way on Road 55 heading to Jit. We noticed two army vehicles along the opposite route. On to Yizhar. An army vehicle was parked on the road leading to Yizhar. We'll hear more about this vehicle later on.

10:30: Huwwara CP:  We entered the parking lot, curious to see whether our presence would tempt the soldiers to check us out. No, this morning we're of no interest to them. At the bus stop on the road to Beracha two armed soldiers were sitting.

We reached Bet Furik. Two soldiers driving behind us stopped to enquire our doings and we told them we had no intention of entering the village.

11:15:Huwwara. Near the Knaffeh shop someone waved to us: Zecharia of the "Rabbis for Human Rights". He told us that a moment ago there had been some disturbances at Burin. One of the villagers had been digging pits in order to install electric posts necessary for connecting to the village's electrical system and soldiers had forced him to stop his work. We drove back to Burin. Nadim received instructions from M. on where to drive.

11:45: Burin. The house we had been directed to was at the top of a steep hillock, east of the village. On our way up, three fully armed and equipped soldiers approached us on foot: their commander forbade civilians to go up without a permit. In order to obtain a permit we would have to go down. But then, how would we secure the necessary permit? Here the soldiers split: one of the soldiers, with a very young and apologetic appearance, felt very uneasy dealing with us. He was prepared to contact his officer to obtain his approval. Another soldier, rough in speech and behaviour, mentioned that he was

an alumni of the Yeshiva world ("I believe only in Torah. We are here these 2000 years, they merely 600 years. So let them blow away."). And the third soldier had what we call "an UM (UN) attitude"- silence. Finally, word came that we were allowed to continue on our way. We, along with M., advanced towards the old, solitary house on the hill, far   from the village houses. There we met two brothers, who had rented the house.

The proprietors of the house deserted Burin in the wake of the 1967 war, either to Jordan or to Canada. Its strategic position at the summit of a prominent hill affords magnificent views, including the sight of Yizhar, Givat Ronen, and the activities going on there. Evidently, high definition cameras installed on tall posts provide inside information on every movement in Burin too. The brothers also pointed to the jeep stationed at the entrance to the Yizhar as a source of updated photographic data.

The new occupants need electricity, need to build a fence to protect the house. The house is located in Area B, where there are no building restrictions.

Burin suffers badly from disturbances by the settlers and one of the brothers was hit in 2011 by live bullets. Last Saturday settlers from Givat Ronen entered the village and hurled stones. The villagers attempted to stop them but the army entered the scene and threw tear gas bombs at the village houses.

The position of this lone house seems very dangerous for its occupants. Let's hope it will work out well for the brothers .We departed, leaving behind the soldiers.

At the Tapu'ach Junction, the barrier was blocked. At the right-hand turn, leading to Hars, Immanuel and Kedumim, an army Jeep was stationed.

13:00: Back to Rosh Ha'ayin