Renewed settler activity between Hebron and Kiryat Arba
Background
Coming over the eastern hill after the Ibrahimi mosque lies the land coveted by the settlers of the adjacent Kiryat Arba settlement. This plot, Wadi al-Hussein, is an unbuilt valley with olive and almond tree plots belonging to different families. Some families do have houses on the Kiryat Arba side of the valley directly below it, and according to the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) are facing huge problems. On the western side of the valley a large house has been occupied that the settlers call Beit Shalom. This valley is strategically important, as it would connect Kiryat Arba and Givat Ha’avot settlement, including the Beit Shalom in between.
Past activity
During the last two month, groups of settlers, especially youths, both male and female, have been coming down into the valley. Some weeks ago the settlers camped out in the bottom of the valley, building low structures out of rocks, demarcating an area starting from the road on the south edge of the valley. A large Star of David was also built. The former EAPPI team reported that the settlers had also tried to occupy two palestinian houses next to the wadi, of which one is the house in question below. Local ISM confirmed this information. Both this piece of land and this house belong to the Jabr family. According to local ISM, the house used to be a shoe factory, and in 2003 all the equipment inside was stolen by settlers.
The settlers gave up camping when the snow arrived, two weeks ago. According to a CPT member and ISM, many of the settlers come from the Beit Shalom house, and also Kiryat Arba.
Recent activity
Settlers have now returned to the valley. The CPT told us, that yesterday 2 of March, settlers dismantled parts of the back wall of the only house at the bottom of the valley, right next to the built structures. This house, owned by the Jabr family is not inhabited. Confrontations occured, and both ISM and CPT were present. A CPT member got kicked. The settlers camped on the grounds overnight.
Today, we witnessed the Palestinians boarding up the house, to prevent the settlers from entering. Around 7 male and 7 female settlers were present, the closest standing at 5 meters from the Palestinians working on the house. Three army cars were around the house, with some 10 soldiers. Two of the cars left. The settler boys followed us up the hill, before returning to Kiryat Arba. We saw three unpitched tents on the ground. This was at 4pm.
At 7pm, ISM was present, and reported 10 male settlers present, and one army jeep. Settlers were attempting to dismantle what had been built on the house during the day.
Boarding up of backwall of house, settler girls on left on the area where the Star of David has been built.
Settler men showing their presence on the right
