Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Place:

Sansana (Meitar Crossing)

South Hebron Hills

Observers:

Raya Yaron, Nava Toledano, Galia Oz (guest) and Michal (reporting and photographing); Translator: Natanya.

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Jun-17-2021

Morning

The visit to Abu Safi

Photo:

Michal Tsadik

After the bad events in Masafer Yatta, which we recently reported along with reports of other peace activists, Raya thought it appropriate to attract more attention and to interest Galia Oz.

We started the tour at the Meitar checkpoint. Once again we saw that the breach in the fence was open and a large number of the illegal workers pass through unhindered.

Wadi Radim: Abu Safi and his picturesque personality have always delighted visitors. Once again he tells of the settler Israel Kaplan who abuses him and his neighbors, when they take their flocks in their own fields near his farm which stands alone not far from Mitzpe Asael. One has to ask how this Kaplan has received permission to have a farm all on his own. One of his daughters, Rania, is a talented painter. It would be a wonderful thing if she could study painting now that she has finished her studies. If anyone has an idea how to help her both we and the family would love to hear it ..

A-Tuwani: That was the main reason for this shift - to meet Nasser, Basel and Adara and to hear again and see what they have been going through in recent weeks when they are subjected to attacks by mostly settlers from Havat Maon. Once again, Nasser tell us of the settlers' attempts to make their lives so difficult that they will leave the place. Again we saw how close their homes were to the settlement of Maon. According to the Palestinians, they guard at night for fear that the settlers will come to set fire to their property again. (At the time of writing this report, about ten days after the visit, we already know of an incident from last Saturday (yesterday) where tents were burnt, people were shot at and two people injufred, with the IDF present and doing nothing to prevent this rampage).

The problem of attempts to cause the population to leave has intensified in recent months. We will continue to be there, to report and try to interest the media.

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-10-2024

Muhammad D.

Sa'ir - Yael and Ahmad

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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