Sha'b al Butum
A visit to Sha'b al-Butum: A few weeks ago we discovered them, harvesting their crops by hand. (It took us back to the days of the Bible). We joined in, we met lovely Israeli volunteers, and photographed and are reporting. They were very keen that we visit and we promised that we would.
They live in the middle between Mitzpe Abigail in the northwest to Mitzpe Yair in the west and Maon Farms in the east. Also, we could see well Mitzpe Abigail, how much it is spreading and developing. Something which cannot be seen when driving down Route 60. Down there, only a sign and a paved road show the place. We were surprised to see the school building which is now empty, but it is evident that it is important for them to cultivate and equip it, despite the poverty of their lives there.
The people live in great poverty but a beautiful vegetable garden is adjacent to the "house". We were happy to buy tomatoes, peppers and zucchini straight from the garden.
In this home there is also a small "grocery store", where the woman sells mostly snacks and soft drinks. Just then two little children arrived and filled their hands with candy.
The head of the family says that on Tuesday two weeks ago, settlers arrived from Mitzpe Yair with their herds, as if on their way to Maon. This is the method: they cross the family's land with their herds and disturb and restrict the movements of the family. It went on for the whole week, even though the army had arrived and seemingly acted as a buffer between them. It was a week before the army finally expelled the settlers.
Again we report on the same violent and disturbing behavior that characterizes the whole area. The same trend of attrition and threats so as to cause the Palestinians to leave so that more outposts could be built there. Eviatar is an example.
We will continue to follow this up.