Hebron Tour West Bank is Profound Experience
Most of Hebron is a vibrant and lively city but the contrast between the Palestinian sector and the area surrounding the Israeli settlers is quite remarkable. The entire neghborhood around the Ibrahimi Mosque is a virtual ghost town populated by Israeli soldiers and settlers, and the few Palestinians who have been permitted to remain in their homes and shops. Wire netting hangs over the streets to protect the Palestinian passersby from the stones and debris hurled down from the windows of the settler"s homes.We walked along Palestinian streets that had wire netting across the top since the Israeli settlers would throw bottles and stones from their windows above on to the Palestinians below.
Witnessing this stark and sad situation, and listening to the Palestinian shopkeepers stories of harrassment and beatings by settlers, the inaction of the military to protect them, and the general deterioration of their lives, is enough to make anyone depressed - or spur them to action to try and help. My friends certainly plan to get involved back home with Peace and Justice groups dealing with Hebron and the West Bank.
After taking the Hebron Tour my visitors had a fuller understanding of Israel"s Occupation of the West Bank and the impact of the settlers on day-to-day life in the city. Both the transit from Jerusalem and the tour in Hebron give a good overview of teh Israeli occupation of the West Bank