Jordan Valley, shepherds' companions protect the Palestinians 24 hours a day against settler attacks

Our task for today was to be with families in Farsia to guard against settlers who were liable to come in order to frighten them, expel them, and to embitter their lives and who knows what else.

Those of us who have been escorting shepherds since the beginning of the war have found themselves with a new task.  Instead of accompanying them to the pasture to prevent them from being harassed  they now remain with them in their homes for 24 hours   Most of the activity takes place in Farsia, but other locations are also included according to what is taking place.

There are clear actions conducted by settlers dressed as soldiers and by the army who cooperates with settlers from the illegal settlements have been defined as an objective by the government.  Ben Gvir’s ministry issues the instructions for these actions.

The settlers come to the Palestinians’ homes, harass people, and threaten to harm them if they do not leave.   They run into the herds with their all-terrain vehicles and attempt to run them over, build new long fences along the Alon Route (578) and act as if anything they do is permitted.

Several extended families live in Farsia, which is located on the West side of the Alon Route near Route 90 

It is a big challenge to be there all the time and to escort the families constantly.  It is good to follow the volunteers who escort the families and to witness their dedication and persistence.   We feel that we are in a constant battel as one family after the other leaves and another tent disappears and others surrender.  There is not a lot that we can do to prevent this or anyone to turn to for help.  The thought that if it were not for us there might not be any more Palestinian families in the valley gives us the strength to continue. 

During these days of war and its difficulties, everything has come to a halt.  The schools in the area are closed because the roads that lead to the schools are blocked.  The children remain at home with no school or activities.  The answer to the questions “What are you doing today?” or “What will you do tomorrow?” is a smile and a reply of “nothing”.  They truly have the ability to do nothing.  It is not clear whether this ability has been developed through lack of choice or acquired.  At any rate, they enjoy activities very much.

 I brought paper and crayons and we sat in a corner that we set up for ourselves in the tent.   We had fun for a couple of hours.  We were then asked to help a group of people from Ein Hilweh on Route 90 with their herd.  The army or the settlers were attempting to run over the herd or the shepherds or both.  

While we were there other escorts accompanied the herd during the morning and some went to help somewhere else.

The two families who live there work, eat, and live together and cooperate.  Each family lives in its own tent, and the grandparents’ tent is where the children spend their leisure time.