Herodian and Hebron

Herodian
Fortress built by Herod the Great and used for his burial.  Magnificent views of the Judean Wilderness and even the Dead Sea.   Located in the Palestinian territory but having strategic value, it is occupied by the Israeli military.  Several outposts are now evident around this location.  These are containers that settlers move into while they build.  Once the settlers are present the military accompanies them.  It's important to note people generally use the term settlement, forgetting the important modifier, illegal. 

 T shirt for sale n the Israeli gift shop.

Hebron

Ibrahim's Mosque

Burial place of Abraham and Sarah, Issac and Rebekkah, Jacob and Leah.  It is split in half by the Muslims and Jews in a structure orginally built by Queen Helen for Christian pilgrims.  The site of the February 25, 1994 massacre of worshiping Muslims by an Israeli extremist which ultimately lead to the closing of Shuhada Street extreme oppression of the Palestinians.   

We all removed our shoes, and the ladies had to put on these capes.

One of the Tombs located in the cave below this memorial structure.  

EAPPI: Ecumenical Accompaniment Program 

in Palestine and Israel 

We met Daniel Junglas who is serving with EAPPI and a Palestinian for a walk through the market to a check point and on to the Cordoba School.  Along the way we heard from one of the merchants and visited the home of a family.

Video of merchant will be posted soon.  

These girls live directly next to the settlers.  Their house is never allowed to be locked, so the Israeli soldiers have full access.  They have been repeatedly abused by the settlers who come into their home.  I asked if they go to school and Daniel told of the daily mission EAPPI members have to escort the children to their school which is across Shuhada Street. There is a video on You Tube of children being assaulted by settler children in the presence of the military and EAPPI from February 2009. EAPPI members serve an important role of witnessing for the world. 

Shuhada Street was once the main road in Hebron.  Now only Israelis are permitted to use it.  Palestinians who live in the area of Shuhada Street must access their homes another way.  Those that had the doors on Shuhada Street which were welded shut by the Israelis, use ladders to upper floors to enter their homes.