Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Place:

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Observers:

Muhammad and Ariela (reporting and photographing); Translator: Natany

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Aug-18-2021

Morning

Children and toys in Maktal Umm Salem

Photo:

Ariela Slonim

The parking lot at the Meitar checkpoint is packed with vehicles on both sides of the checkpoint.

Since the car was laden with toys for children we decided to drive to Maktal Umm Salem and Abu Safi, but first we also drove on Route 60 to try to track down the thirty caravans that were seen last week making their way south of Mount Hebron.

The outpost Mitzpe Ishtamua continues to expand and solar water heaters are already on the roofs. On the settlement's Facebook site, they are looking for more families who want to be part of a dream come true, pioneering, a quality community, a young atmosphere and a stunning view, only 10 minutes from Highway 6. According to the Wikipedia website in the community, there are currently about 15 families living there. We have been informed that the new caravans are in Eshtamoa'.

Cameras are installed at Samu' Junction.

We returned to Route 317, to Maktel Umm-Salem. The older children were not there because school started at the PA and they are in Samu' all week and only return on weekends to Dad and Mom. The little Adam and Yusuf remain at home and were no longer afraid of me and were very happy about the toys they received.

We continued from there to Khirbet Ar-Radim, where Abu Safi lives . From the road we noticed in the distance a row of new caravans at the Meitarim and many cranes working hard. Are these the caravans seen last week?

We met Abu Safi returning from the pasture, walking with the help of a walking stick. Here too the girls went back to school and we met only the little girls who are not yet studying and Rania who continues to surprise us with her wonderful paintings.

I was very happy that the 18-year-old Zeinab returned to her studies, which she left two years ago to help support the family. Abu Safi told me that studies are more important.

And again the story of the water returns. Abu Safi wants to connect to sources, like any settler trailer, for example Israel Kaplan, who is now extending his harassment to Abu Safi's daughters on their way to school.

Where is the Knesset Education Committee which will decide that here too, as in Tuba, the army will accompany the girls.

On the way back we entered Meitarim. A large sign announces the establishment of a business and service center for the well-being of the residents of the Southern Hebron Mountains. Indeed, the works are in progress.

And I wonder if this was done for the benefit of all the residents of Mount Hebron.

Location Description

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