2nd, July 2006
Sunday church service
The fifth day of the Journey for Justice was in Hebron, where participants started their Sunday in attending the church service at the Orthodox Church in Beit Sahour.
Glass factory
Hebron visit started with visiting a glass factory, which is one of the main handmade factories in Palestine. The group witnessed workers doing various kinds of glass vessels, and they bought some as souvenirs and support of the workers.
Tour with the TIPH team
Followed, was visiting the YMCA office in Hebron, having lunch their then moving to the TIPH (Temporary International Presence in Hebron) headquarter. Two of the TIPH team explained to the group the various aspects of the unique situation and separation in Hebron while walking with them through the old city, passing a checkpoint between the two areas (H1 and H2).
Hebron old city
The group walked towards the Ibrahimi Mosque, trying to visit inside it, but, unfortunately, it was the Quran reading time, before the prayer, and could not enter.
Meeting Israeli settler
Walking through the crowded market, the group headed towards the yellow plated bus that drove them into Efrata settlement, where they met a pre-arranged-with Israeli settler, who presented his perspective on the Palestinian Israeli conflict, and was questioned by the group.
Dinner inside a confiscation threatened area
Finally, the group headed in the bus towards El-Makhrur area in Beit Jala, a city west of Bethlehem. The area is threatened to be confiscated by the Israeli forces, and get beyond the wall. Therefore the group was planned to spend some time, have dinner with songs and fun in one of the restaurent ran by one of the area' families.
