Hakvasim (sheep) Junction, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Place:

Hakvasim (sheep) Junction

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Observers:

Yehudit K. (reporting) and Muhammad D. (photographing)

Feb-10-2019

Morning

At the Meitar checkpoint the usual Sunday crush, and along Route 60 all the usual staffed checkpoints: Dahariya, Abda, Al Fuwwar, Beit Hagain and the sheep crossing. However route 60 was relatively calm. We were told that Al Fuwwar was closed to vehicle traffic by a gate from Thursday evening until Sunday at dawn. when it was opened to allow the workers to pass, under military supervision of course. Great resentment among the residents at this further restriction to their freedom of movement. Conventional wisdom has it that the unusual closure info-icon was a response to the murder of the young girl, Or Ansbacher on Thursday.

On our route back we went to investigate the closure at the village of Abda, we have noted that vehicular access to the village is barred by a yellow gate, close beside a watchtower.. We noted a man approaching the gate on foot from the village, who when he saw us turned in his tracks, then walked towards us again and then again returned. A solider challenged us from the top of the tower, but made no attempt to detain us.

Along Route 60, on the west side under the illegal outpost of Eshtamoa, a hut that has stood unfinished for some long time is now complete. No doubt the first harbinger of an extension to the outpost....with a spectacular view, no doubt.

The checkpoint at Abda

Photo:

Muhammad D

Location Description

Hakvasim (sheep) Junction

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One of the roadblocks (earthworks, rocks, concrete blocks or iron gates info-icon ) that prevent transit of vehicles to Route 60 in the southern West Bank and block the southern entrance to Hebron. A manned pillbox supervises the place.

Yata / Southern Hebron hills

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Yatta is a city located in the South Hebron Hills region. It is located in the border zone between the fertile area of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants. The surrounding villages are called Masafar Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, a number of settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with the withholding of water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.

There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Road blocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.

Updated April 2022

Apr-10-2024

Muhammad D.

Sa'ir - Yael and Ahmad

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Meitar

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Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

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The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit.

In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded.

Updated April 2022