South Hebron Hills: Settlers confiscate tractor and return with threat to never dare plow his land again

Place:

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Tags:

retrieve

Swords of Iron War

Terror by settlers

Violent oppression

Observers:

Mohammed and Raya Y. (reporting). Translation: Danah Ezekiel

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Nov-30-2023

Morning

The Meitar checkpoint these days is empty of vehicles and people moving through.

At the checkpoint, we met Mohammed Fares from Shuweika. He tells us that soldiers entered his home and searched, and found military pants. the pants were bought at the (cheap) flea market, Mohammed wears them when he goes to his job in Israel.

He and his nephew were immediately arrested, taken to the base in Othniel, they were treated violently, they were beaten, they were only released a few hours later, they were returned to the road and not to their home.

Entry permit to Israel that has not been renewed

Photo:

Raya Yeor

Sha’ab al Butum, prevention of entry into Israel

Photo:

Raya Yeor

Since the day he was arrested, Mohammed is barred from entering Israel (because of the pants). He is trying to get the work permit back.

At the entrance to road 317 we see a white civilian vehicle enlisted by the IDF. The soldiers have set up a checkpoint and are checking vehicles with Palestinian identification plates.

We went in to check what's going on with Yishak Jabarin from Sha’b al Butum, because we haven't heard from him since Gedaliah's sons took his tractor a week ago: they pulled the tractor with their vehicle. Two days ago the tractor was returned, and together with the tractor came threats not to ever dare plow his land again.

Sha’ab al Butum, tractor theft sponsored by the army

Photo:

Local resident

Sha’ab al Butum, this is how settlers steal Tsahek's tractor

Photo:

Local resident

Sha’ab al Butum, plowing with a donkey

Photo:

Raya Yeor

The settlers roam the area, commit crimes, do as they please and the army watches and does not interfere.

shame!!!

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-25-2024

Michal Tsadik

Rahwa - the building they have a demolition order on

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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