Living in the "seam zone"

Homes in Al-Khalayleh

Nearby separation barrier

With Abu Jafar

The 90 families of the Palestinian community of Al-Khalayleh are sandwiched between two separation barriers and four Israeli settlements, in Area C of the West Bank, under Israeli military control. Most have Jerusalem ID, but those who have West Bank ID, like Abu Jafar, have access problems. "I need permission to bring anything in," he says. He had to argue with authorities in order to be allowed to bring in four gas cylinders, which he uses up in two weeks for his family of 12. The soldier told him one cylinder should be enough. Advance permission is needed for visits from relatives on the other side of the barrier, and for big events like weddings it is simpler to hold them on the other side. He says they have limited water service of poor quality, no internet service, and no fax.

Site of former store destroyed by army

Abu Jafar used to run a thriving store down at the corner on the main road to the settlements, but the Israeli army destroyed it two years ago for lack of a permit, which is virtually impossible to get.

He has opened a smaller mini-market in his home. He says, "business is bad; usually only my neighbors come to shop." Actually, a couple of his loyal Israeli customers from the settlement came by to buy a few things while we were there. And local children bought a football.

Abu Jafar's new store location in his home

Pumping ball

Nearby, the family keeps some poultry.

Giv'at Ze'ev

Although Al-Khalayleh is close to the large Israeli settlement of Giv'at Ze'ev, Abu Jafar says

they don't have problems with the settlers, and some Palestinians work in the settlement.

Thanks to help from international organizations, Al-Khalayleh has a health clinic that is open once a week, and a green tent with an astroturf floor that doubles as a waiting room for the clinic and a classroom for free weekend classes offered by Abu Jafar's daughter.

Health clinic

Waiting room

Site from which Bedouins were forcibly relocated

About 50 Bedouins used to live in Al-Khalayleh, but a year ago all except one family was forcibly relocated by Israeli authorities to the Jericho valley. Abu Jafar says the authorities don't want any Arabs in this area. "They are trying to push all of us out," he says. What a pity.