Masafer Yatta, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills, Tarqumiya

Place:

Masafer Yatta

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Tarqumiya

Observers:

Muhammad, Daphna and a guest; Translator: Natanya

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Jun-26-2022

Morning

South Hebron Hills - at Abu Safi's

Photo:

Daphna Jung

Sunday is always a busy day at the Meitar checkpoint, both because it is the beginning of the week, but also apparently, because it is now impossible for illegal workers to go through loopholes in the fence, and also because the quota of permits for those looking for jobs has been increased.

Muhammad received a report that there was also a great deal of congestion in Tarkumiya.

As for Masafer Yatta which is in the area of the maneuvers of the army, we do not want to enter as the army can confiscate the vehicle. We speak to them on the phone ...

We drove to Abu Safi. Those who travel there can see carcasses of animals... and it is clear from Abu Safi, they are not his!!! He burns the corpses. Muhammad says it is not clear if the animals were sick or poisoned and why this has been done. It can only have been done by the settlers and this is dangerous. The settlers also pass through his field with ATVs and herds, causing damage to agricultural crops, and destroying his wheat. The crops are poor anyway, because there has not been enough rain this year and he works alone. Because of this and also because of the war in Ukraine, animal food has become very expensive and the price has been doubled. It does not pay to grow sheep and cattle.

Location Description

Tarqumiya

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The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in special cases.

MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers. The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank. Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’. This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’.

updated November 2019

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