Our final visit in the Jordan Valley

Our final visit of the day was to a very isolated community. We left the road and drove up a rocky track to arrive at a camp with two tented families. The families live in tents because they are not permitted to erect a building. 

Rashid took us to this small building and sat down. We knew that there was a story here and so we listened. This is the new school! Rashid and other JVS supporters have erected this building using mud bricks, timber and plastic sheets.

The children of this community have to travel many miles to get to school. The school bus stops on the road up the steep hillside from the camp. The bus is not allowed to wait if the children are late, and the families are wary about the children waiting on the road with settlers passing by. There are 50-70 children who would use this tiny building as their school. 

The problem is that, until the school is finished, it is at risk of being demolished. Rashid told us that the Israeli military knew that about the building. As this is an isolated area, we asked how they knew. He pointed to a hilltop and a mast, with a camera. All areas are watched by the Israeli military. The delivery of the building supplies was a complex logistical exercise to avoid them being confiscated.

As Abu Mohammad brought out the tea, I began to understand how Jesus and his disciples managed to travel around the land. Hospitality is universal. Abu Mohammad told us his story. He moved here from the Southern hills of Hebron following harsh treatment from the military there. He keeps sheep and goats in partnership with his neighbour, but life is proving difficult. 

There is no water supply or electricity. Abu Mohammad has to buy the water and needs two tanks per week (cost £24). He has experienced rocket attacks when grazing sheep and tells us that the military is now using wild animals and birds of prey to attack the sheep. In winter the ground is waterlogged and no-one can leave the site. Water and animal food is brought by tractor (at extra cost). 

The day draws to an end, and we leave these communities to return to Bethlehem. We thanked Rashid and Adrielle for all they had told us about this area. 

With so many hardships, it would be easy to be angry. Yet we see no anger, just resolution to stay in this land. Adrielle told us that she had never seen anyone even throw a stone. Now we understand the headline we saw as we arrived at "To exist is to resist". It has been a privilege to travel the road with these brave people.

I have often heard it said that there are always two stories. After what I have heard today, it is difficult to find another valid story. People in the settlements live a wonderful life at minimal cost to them, but the State not only subsidises them, but pays the moral cost of discrimination, apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Maybe the cost is not so low after all.