CPTnet
February 2, 2004
HEBRON: On the wrong side of the fence

by Art Gish

After reading a report of new confiscation of Palestinian land north of the
Harsina settlement near Hebron on January 26, five CPTers went
to investigate.

They saw a new road bulldozed through Palestinian orchards, vineyards, and
gardens. Gravel for the road now covered the farmland, and a new ten-foot
high fence was being built along the road, separating the Palestinian
families living on the left side of the road from their land on the right
side.

As we stood at the upper end of the fence and looked down the new road, we
could see Israelis constructing the fence. When we approached them, the
Israelis greeted us warmly. They turned out to be high school boys who had
volunteered and got time off from school to help build the separation fence.

Lively conversation ensued. They wanted to know where we were from and
wanted us to take their pictures. The armed settler security guards seemed
unconcerned about our presence.

Since we were wearing our red CPT caps, it wasn't long before the students
were asking about Christian Peacemaker Teams. Soon the settler guards
realized who we were and immediately ordered us to go to the Palestinian
side of the fence and leave the area. About eight Israeli soldiers arrived.

The students seemed stunned. Suddenly, the people who they thought were
their friends were now identified as their enemies. We became Palestinians.
Now we were to be shunned and feared. Now we had to be separated by a fence.

We continued to try to communicate with the students, but the settler guards
gently moved us away. They were not hostile, but they did speak to us in
Arabic. They knew they were being watched by the students.

We wonder what happened in the minds and hearts of the students. How will
they integrate this experience into their perceptions of the fence?

Meanwhile, the apartheid wall, the fence of separation, is being built at a
rapid pace. Will this confiscation and separation bring peace? Can we ever
again cross over the fence to meet those students?

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