Hebron - The settlers’ tentacles are active

The Zion route is the main apartheid road from Kiryat Arba’ to the Cave of the Patriarchs.   Vehicles with Israeli plates are allowed to drive freely while Palestinians require a special permit, the settlers “bought” an additional building which they’ve named “Bet Hatekuma.”  It’s located at the edge of the Ja’abari neighborhood, just before Bet Hameriva. 

The building had been abandoned for many years.  One family member sold it to a resident of East Jerusalem without realizing that person was acting on behalf of the settlers.  They always buy in an underhanded, furtive manner.

In order to move people into a Palestinian building in Hebron, the purchaser must complete two procedures at the same time.

The first:  prove the purchase is legal.

The second: obtain approval from the Minister of Defense.

Last Friday, right before Sabbath, five buses arrived filled with settlers who entered the building.  They walked through the neighborhood singing on their way to the Cave of the Patriarchs while yelling at the local Palestinians.  That scene was repeated throughout the Sabbath.

IDF soldiers immediately provided security for the settlers (May every Hebrew mother know what her son does in the army).

On Sunday morning some 200 settlers left the building, leaving ten settlers behind who took turns.  Three soldiers remained on guard outside.

The building resembles a construction site.  I assume the settlers will soon begin renovations.  They won’t wait for the court to decide whether the purchase was legal.

The Palestinians I spoke to don’t believe they will succeed in preventing the setters from taking over the building.  They’ve learned from their experience with Bet Hameriva, Bet Rachel, Bet Leah, and Bet Hamachpelah.

They’ll adapt themselves to additional checkpoints, additional inspections, and additional restrictions on movement.

Thus, like an octopus, the settlers extend tentacles to more and more locations in Area H1, and the space fills with checkpoints for Palestinians and military positions.

One can only despair.