Sansana (Meitar Crossing), South Hebron Hills

Meitar Checkpoint: Despite the relatively late hour (09.30) many people remained on the Israeli side, waiting for employers probably: There is now nuch demand for  pickers and there many looking for the occasional job for pickers and  those looking for the occasional job.

Highway 60 is quite lively, all the checkpoints are already open at such an hour except the Sheep Junction, where an army jeep is already standing  and checking cars. Muhammad reports that the army was also there for hours In the early morning but no arrests or special delays.

We went to visit our friend Atta Jaber, a man who has had many years of  trouble: Destruction of his fields two years ago carried out by the Civil Administration, allegedly due to his theft of water. Atta lives on the east side of Highway 60 that crossed the family's land, this time we sat with  Atta's brother on the west side of the road, just below Kiryat Arba. Atta and his brother talked about their hardships with the authorities, about the ownership of the land and the lack of ability to work and build in them. For years, they were harassed in the courts and eventually left, in the end, with the little land that they are now working and building on. And meanwhile, a quiet time for them .... But there's always the fear that the Civil Administration  will come again and to destroyed and demolish.

We returned via Route 317 with no unusual events. All along the settlements are in bloom and opposite Carmel, the forest grows, inviting holidaymakers to visit and enjoy, in Hebrew only of course. In some of the road signs that appear in Arabic and English, Arabic has been erased with black spray.