Hebron: Despair is a dangerous thing
At Meitar Checkpoint this morning the police and border patrol closed the hole in the fence and checked everyone who was there. Only people who had permits crossed, and they only crossed through the checkpoint.
Anyone who was not vaccinated against COVID-19 was sent back, even if they had a permit to enter Israel. We gave a ride to people who had been sent back.
On our way to Hebron and on our way back we saw a lot of soldiers at the Dura El Fawar Junction. The soldiers had closed the entrance to both places. Several youths were standing on the hills above. The soldiers were shooting tear gas and smoke grenades like the battle between David and Goliath.
In Hebron it became evident that not everyone wanted to be seen with us. They are afraid of both the settlers and of the army.
There were clashes last Friday at the edge of Hebron near Kiryat Arba and the pillbox. We went to visit the Dana family’s home and they claimed that nothing had taken place. Their neighbors from Zir Zion explained that there had been shooting outside the house by settlers. During the past three weeks gangs of settlers came each Friday to harass people in Hebron in the empty streets. . There were large numbers of police forces in the streets putting up fences and preparing for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)) The Palestinians informed us that they intended to stay at home There was an atmosphere of despair, and despair is dangerous.
Yeshiva students were walking in the deserted streets of Hebron with their teachers. At Tel Romeida R. claims that they will bring COVID and kept distant. He has recuperated from COVIS and suffers from problems with his heart and lungs as a result.