Day in Hebron
The international volunteers took a day’s break from olive picking to visit the City of Hebron, in southern Palestine, to see the havoc wreaked upon the native Palestinians by illegal Israeli settlers.
Passing checkpoints
As the coach drove through the West Bank, past checkpoint after checkpoint, the participants had an opportunity to view many illegal Israeli colonies which line the roads to Hebron, and it was easy to see new outposts being formed and new roads being built.
Presentation by TIPH
When the group arrived in Hebron through the Kiryat Arba gate (this was the only entrance that could be used because of closures), everybody went to meet TIPH – the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, which has been in operation continuously since 1997 and operates within the city of Hebron. A presentation was given by Suzanne, a Swiss member of the TIPH staff, about the situation in Hebron, the divisions of the city, the settlements which are based right in the heart of the old city of Hebron, and also about the work which TIPH does, which is to observe what happens and report it, but they have no mandate to intervene.
Walking in the old city
After the group observed the TIPH cars, to see the damage which is inflicted upon them because of stone throwing from settlers, but also sometimes from Palestinians, they left to go to have a tour of the old city of Hebron.
The situation in Hebron
The city of Hebron is split into two areas, H1 and H2. H1 is under Palestinian control, H2 is Israeli control. Since this deal was made, Israel has made many violations of the agreement. The borders between the two areas were never meant to be physical borders, but Israel has not honoured this, nor has it honoured its obligation to have no military presence in H1.
To enter the old city, one has to pass through turnstiles, and sometimes metal detectors, and the area is swarming with Israeli soldiers. The tension is both tangible and permanent, and provided a small insight into how Palestinians have been living since the Israeli occupation began nearly 40 years ago.
Since the old city is under Israeli control in H2, Israel has attempted to shut down the area and collapse the economy, by placing roadblocks, movement restrictions near the settlements, and by not allowing Palestinians to enter the market easily. The Palestinians are subject to daily humiliation to enter the Ibrahimi Mosque or even the old city, and are treated like animals, behind barricades and fences. One can only dread to think of the psychological effects on the Hebronite children, who have had to grow up under this brutal occupation. Settlers have taken over large parts of the H2 area with absolutely no regard for the Palestinian native residents. Many large, previously thriving, streets, now simply form a ghost town.
Visiting the Environmental Education Centre
After the tour, the group returned to Beit Jala to have lunch under the trees of the school in which the Environmental Education Centre is based, who then gave the group a presentation on their work, and gave them a tour around the facility.
