Tish Ba Ov
2006 August 3
The settlers in Tel Rumeida (the hill near the center of Hebron widely assumed to be the site of King David’s first palace) observe Tish Ba Ov each year by climbing on the roof of a Palestinian home and praying for several hours. The Palestinians react with predictable anger. The Israeli army reacts in its predictable way – it clears the streets around Tel Rumeida of Palestinians. And the shebaab, the juvenile boys, react with their standard expression of hatred – they stone the army vehicles.
Just as I served dinner Thursday evening, the phone rang. Would two of us go up to the market, BabiZaweyya, and help cool the situation? Soldiers were in position to fire, hopefully just tear gas or rubber bullets.
When we arrived, the army vehicles and the shebaab were standing 100 meters apart, mostly just watching each other. John said, “We stand in the middle.” A couple of small stones skittered past us. Someone threw a bottle very hard, but it shattered loudly against a sign near the thrower. The soldiers laughed at his bad aim.
I asked John, “Shouldn’t we stand closer to the Palestinian boys? They need protection more than the soldiers do.” “Yes, but they might stone us, too.” (America was supporting Israel’s attack on Lebanon.)
When we left half an hour later, an officer walked over and asked us, “Where are you from?” “Christian Peacemaker Teams.” He was curious. He must have just arrived this week in Hebron, because we hear that the Israeli units in Hebron last week were sent to Lebanon. And he may have appreciated our presence.
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