Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills
We made a long stop at the Meitar checkpoint. It was reported that all the stalls set up there on the Palestinian side had been evacuated. We saw that truly the majority had been destroyed and now the remains of the many goods and garbage was being removed. The tractors are still working. A Large police force is also stationed there.
Talking to all parties we tried to get as complete and balanced a picture as possible. We understood that the booths became a health and safety hazard as they had been pushed right into the road. Supervisors from the unit responsible for the passage had tried to make arrangements and to consider the needs of the people and had tried to place the agents further away from the road so that there would be a regulated garbage disposal. Workers from Dahariya are employed there, and according to them, the traders did not obey the instructions and the mess and dirt were already unbearable. To our questions about the need for real arrangements in cooperation with the dealers, the representative of the Passage Unit said that they fall between the chairs and only in the DCO they decide with whom to speak and decide what to determine. So in conversation with those in charge of the DCO they explained to me that, with all their good intentions and with their understanding of what needed to be done, there was a real need for the workers and the owners of the stalls to try to arrange what was achirved at Tarkumiya But their efforts were hopeless and with no discipline or internal leadership which could organize the matter. So they had no choice but to come and destroy everything by force.
When I asked if there was any a solution? After all, everything will be rebuilt in the end and an endless fight will resume. The DCO representative explained that they were aware of everything and would continue to seek a fair and genuine solution to the problem.
(The occupation will not end, neither will all its problems)
We went to visit Idris who lives next to the Holy Spring in Hebron. Apparently, despite the restraining order of those who had stabbed him, they returned two weeks ago and threatened him again. We wanted to go with him to file another complaint but he had to go to a funeral. He assured us that he would not fear to go alone. He is known and admired by the security forces as a person who had saved children and adults in problematic events in Hebron. We have seen the spring and the complex 360 degree cameras 24/7 of course.
And of course he goes on to ask how with everything being monitored and photographed, only the stabbing and assault incidents of the settlers the IDF does not see.
We ask, too.
If only the magnificent millennial olive trees could stand to speak ...