South Hebron Hills

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South Hebron Hills

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Activity with Palestinian Children

Activity with Palestinian women and children in the West Bank

Observers:

Mira B. (reports), Muhammad (driver, translator and activity participantt)

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May-11-2016

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Morning

Mira B. (reports), Muhammad (driver, translator and activity participant)

Goal: Activity in the Huda kindergarten in Hashem-el-Darage

Activity subject: Kaktus planting around the kindergarten building

317 road: All entrances to the Israeli settlements are covered with Israel flags and posters of "Israel authority".

About 30 kids are present, and the two teachers, huda and Haula. Amna is not present. When we arrive the kids are busy in drawing and painting, sitting around the working tables. Some kids show fluency in using the pastel crayons (not usual until few years ago), some draw all kinds of weapons. The kids are happy to see us, and run over to shake our hands.

We brought kaktus plants. The goal is that the kids will plant and continue looking after the plants. This way they might be more careful and develop responsibility for their surroundings. This is the Israeli Memorial day for the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism – so maybe there is some symbolism in a planting and growing activity in a Palestinian kindergarten.

The kinds participate, together with the teachers, in the planting activity: Digging small holes, planting, watering. It was clear that they have never plant just anything (including the teachers). There was a big interest around the whole activity. Was lots of fun. Some kids were really enthusiastic about watering. At the end, Huda called the children for a short discussion -- probably about taking care of the plants.

Later on, during our traditional tea time following our activities, a young woman from Hebron came over, escorted by two men. She represents some Italian organization, which distributes a bag with hygiene products to each family in the village – but there is a single toothbrush in every bag! We discuss and explain our activities in the kindergarten. They are truly surprised to meet here Israelis, especially meeting Muhammad – an Israeli Palestinian. We realize that they have never met Israelis that are not either settlers or soldiers. We had a short interesting conversation with them.

Pictures of the activity – The 11.5.2016 album:

https://picasaweb.google.com/113044451662544057850?authkey=Gv1sRgCNS_j8qy0sCOGA

Location Description

Yata / Southern Hebron hills

See all reports for this place

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

רהווה - ככה חיה משפחת אבו שארח' ברהווה בוואדי למרגלות ההתנחלות טנא עומרים

Apr-25-2024

Michal Tsadik

Rahwa - this is how the Abu Sharakh family lives in the Wadi at the foot of the Tene Omarim settlement

View the full album