Nabi Samauil, Tour
From afar we saw the tower of the large fort located on the range, a most impressive sight against the green landscape. We joined the hundreds of celebrants who waited for transport to the celebration of the Prophet Samuel there. In spite of the crowd, transport to the prayers area was orderly. There were clean washrooms for women and men (the cleaners – Palestinians) as well as water and food free of charge. Out of curiosity we first joined the women’s line that moved into the prayer hall assigned them, but as we arrived we felt we had no business there. We turned back and toured the nature reserve around the site.
The place is a natural beauty spot, much has been invested there. Fruit trees and Jerusalem pine trees add to the pastoral atmosphere. On our way to the spring we were warned to keep our distance for men bathe there in the nude. We felt that as women we were being excluded the way Palesitnians are.
Palestinians are allowed to enter the local mosque to pray but not during the celebrations that take place twice a year.
Archeological digs are conducted in the fort on a permanent basis. It was construct and restored in various periods by Crusaders, Jews and Muslims and every historic period left its mark. A guide who told young religious Jews about the site ignored the role of the Crusaders and Muslims there. Even the official explanatory plaques there are fairer to the truth.
The entrances to the Palestinian village of Nabi Samauil were seriously guarded against harassers and troublemakers. We were told that in previous years there were harassments incidents. We entered after obtaining permission from the “officer” in charge. Sights of neglect and waste and stench hit us. This village, that has seen expulsions and confiscation of most of its lands, is now inhabited by 200 persons, and according to A. who hosted us, any attempt made by the villagers to put up pens for livestock or other structures is immediately blocked by the police.
One of A.’s sons was arrested inside Israel as an illegal alien (not having an entry/work permit); the father and another son underwent a saga of interrogation and detention due to an image of the stabbing of a tiger which the son ‘liked’ on Facebook. At first soldiers arrived at 11 p.m. and asked about the son. A. told them he was in Jericho and would be back the next night at 11 p.m. They searched the house and left (without trashing it). At 3 a.m. they returned. A. Told them the same thing and at 9 a.m. the soldiers came yet again, while A. was at work. The soldiers reached him and demanded he join them until his son came back home. At 11 p.m. the son came and was taken away for interrogation. He was interrogated in the Russian Compound (detention facility in the heart of West Jerusalem) and released in the morning.