While in the Negev there is a struggle of the Bedouin trying to  sow and plant on their own lands, in the areas of the southern Hebron Hills, the struggle has already been decided – settler farms that plant vineyards and build pens for the flocks of sheep emerge like mushrooms after the rain.

Opposite Zanuta we noticed a hill with a number of new metal structures on it, and on the slope below it, a beautifully planted vineyard.

On the western side of the road in front of Eshtamoa, a shed has appeared and next to it a truck with a transportable structure on it – the beginning of an agricultural outpost.

Hebron – fenced and surrounded.

We walked along the  Road of the Worshipers towards the Cave of the Patriarchs. The area of ​​the ancient houses is constantly being renewed, with the support of various Arab countries (there are signs on the houses) which  are being renovated to glorify Hebron. A beautiful example of sustainable construction – stones that have fallen from the old houses are used and added to parts that still have a strong and solid structure.

The path ends with nothing – it turned out that another fence was built around the cave, which runs along the slope and continues almost to checkpoint 160. Between the two fences – the old one, which surrounded only the cave, and the new one, the road which connected the worshipers to the main road south of the cave. The fence almost touches the houses of the old neighborhood and they have no choice but to struggle through  the mud at the edges of the houses and to take a long way to  way to the edge of the yellow fence. We tried the experience, not recommended. – Attached picture

Behind the boys’ school, near the wholesale market, Nahal soldiers attacked us in an attempt to prevent us from entering Shuhada Street. They claimed that only the residents of the neighborhood were allowed. We objected to the ban, we only agreed to present ID cards. They tried to connect with the commander but it  was Ofer Ohana who was happy to see us and explained to the new soldiers that we were the friends of the Palestinians. That helped.    (Jews can walk anywhere but some Jews are more Jewish than others it seems. Ofer Ohana is an enemy of anyone on the left and it can only be left to the imagination as to how he described the women)

On the way back down from Shuhada Street, up the stairs to Cordoba School, an elderly Palestinian woman was detained on the grounds that her name did not appear on the list of families living on the hill who are  allowed to cross the locked gate and up the stairs. The daughter did not appear on the list and the soldier insisted on not opening the gate for her.

While we waited, a group of  students with scull caps appeared and teachers accompanied them. They  were engaged in a field study mission and naturally asked to ascend through the same gate. The soldier claimed that they could not ascent , (apparently there are dangerous animals in the area) and thus forced both the older Palestinian and the rejoicing children to extend their journey with the steep ascent.

Hard city Hebron!

On the way back we were happy to see that the Dura-El Fawwar Junction is back to life, the fields are full with produce and the farmers are picking and selling straight to anyone who is interested. Fresh and fragrant goods.