Hebron orientation walk

Zari took us on a tour of H2 Hebron (Israel controlled territory), where ISM operates. We started by going down the hill leading from our neighbourhood, Tel Rumeida, to the checkpoint that leads to H1 (PA controlled territory). On the way, we passed by the house of the Abu Shamsiya family. The Army set up a guard tower on their roof, from which they have sniped demonstrators throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers and police when they enter H1. The settlers tried to kill the Shamsiya family earlier this year, by poisoning their water supply. They also tried setting their house on fire.

We then walked down Shuhada Street, which was closed off to Palestinians in 1994, after a settler called Baruch Goldstein opened fire on Muslims praying in the Ibrahimi Mosque, killing 29 worshipers and wounding more than 125. He was beaten to death by the survivors, and the Israeli Army responded by closing down Palestinian shops, and, after the Second Intifada broke out, closing the street off to Palestinians completely. Palestinians who live on the street have had their front doors padlocked, and are not allowed to walk down it. Walking down their sidewalk guarantees harassment by soldiers, if not detention or arrest. Some of the homes have been spraypainted with graffiti.

We walked by the Ibrahimi Mosque/Cave of the Patriarchs, which used to be a mosque but now is also partially a synagogue. It is located near some shops, who face harassment from the settlers on a very regular basis. Unfortunately, the violence often happens on Saturdays and during Jewish holidays. Such sickening behaviour has nothing to do with Judaism. 

We next walked into the souq (the market), and visited the shopkeepers. We met some of our Palestinian friends, whom I haven't seen in almost a year. It was nice to see them again, and to introduce Maria to them. The settlers and soldiers had been quite quiet there today, fortunately.

A few hours later we went on a patrol of the market, since we heard there may be a settler tour coming. During these "tours", the settlers come into the markets, escorted by armed soldiers who severely restrict movement of Palestinians in the market. Sometimes they also invade people's homes and go on their roofs, to keep their eyes on the crowd. There was no tour today. After about an hour or so of hanging out, we went back to the apartment.