Hebron, Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills, Tue 10.7.12, Morning

Translator:  Charles K.

Meitar crossing

At this hour, 9AM, the crossing is closed to laborers.  Since the beginning of the week it’s been open until 7AM, and afterwards only for cars.  That’s the response of those operating the checkpoint to the failure to deal with the stench.  There was a big traffic jam at the crossing on our way back.  Only one inspection station is operating for those arriving by vehicle from Hebron and the surrounding area.  We waited 40 minutes for our turn.  We couldn’t get any explanation.  Apparently there’s a work slowdown or some internal conflict within the crossings administration.  At the expense of the residents of the southern Hebron hills, of course.

Hebron

Quiet and boring.  The summer vacation and the heat slow everyone down.  No detainees at any checkpoint.  A confrontation with a Border Police soldier almost develops at the Cave of the Patriarchs plaza:  as soon as he realizes M., our driver, isn’t Jewish he demands that he park in the lot opposite Beit Hamachpela.  “You’re not allowed to park here if you’re Moslem,” says the energetic soldier.

We explain that M. is an Israeli citizen; only two days ago the police told the army that he’s allowed to park wherever he wishes.  The soldier insists.  “Those are the orders,” he says.  “Show me where it’s written that he’s allowed to park here.”  Since it appears that the instructions to the soldiers are insufficiently clear, and things could blow up at any minute, I stayed in the car so M. wouldn’t remain alone in the car near the Border Police soldier, and Netanya walked around the area of the Cave.  Later we switched.

A guy from “Breaking the Silence” sitting with his guests at ‘Abed’s shop says that there is a written document which he’ll send us.  This time the soldier backed down and didn’t continue arguing.

We visited the Jaber family again.  Though their water problem has been solved for now, they’re still struggling for the right to cultivate the rest of their vineyards.  After Kiryat Arba was built on their land the town abutted on their plots below; they’re not allowed to access them freely, only with permission from the Civil Administration which provides a security escort because the settlers harass them.  Now the Civil Administration says it’s busy and can provide security only once a week, an IDF escort for eight hours.  Another “brilliant” solution.  Instead of restraining and punishing those hooligans, the IDF provides security according to its ability and to the forces available at the time it deems appropriate.  The inventive Jewish brain.

The family says that Rabbis for Human Rights is handling the matter.

Can we help in any way?  I don’t know.  We celebrated their orchard’s blooming by buying green beans that had just been picked.