Hebron, South Hebron Hills, Tarqumiya

It seems that our arrangement to meet Muhammad at the Tarqumiyya grocery rather than at the crossing itself is a good idea, and we’ll continue it (not during the dawn shift, of course).

Few tourists in Hebron (‘Abed and his son think there’s been a decline since last July).  A small family of tourists from Tajikistan (the Moslem country formerly part of the Soviet Union) was in his shop.

Two Palestinians from B’Tselem passed and we exchanged greetings.  The female soldier in the booth across the road has detained three youths, sends them to wait off to the side until she checks their IDs.  It takes 6-7 minutes and they’re released.  In general – it’s quiet here.  But then ‘Abed tells us what happened last Thursday:  the attack on the shop by Jews from France – Kahanists, according to ‘Abed.  While we’re talking about the injustices and harassment he suffers (including the attack and the injury he suffered from Baruch Marzel’s people), ‘Abed stresses that it’s not the monetary compensation for the damage that’s most important to him:  what’s most important is to have his Shabak blacklisting removed, that was imposed for no reason, with no explanation, and which keeps being renewed.  We try to put him in contact with Ronit Dahah Ramati, the attorney, in the hope (very faint, apparently) she can help.

School has begun.  At this hour children are coming home.  There were no soldiers at the checkpoints nor did we see children detained.  One of the people at a roadside shed next to a grove of fig trees and grape vines reads the badge hanging from my neck and is very pleased – explains to the others how wonderful it is we’re here.