On Sunday 22.11.09Yael, Hellela, Baruch and Batia worked.In Sinjil, with Palestinian farmers who plowed an olive grove next to a military base.

 After about 20 minutes of plowing 4 soldiers came to the nearby fence, asked what we were doing here, telling us, that we were not allowed to be there. Hellela answered, that we and the farmer had a permission to stay there for plowing his grove.
They told in a very harsh tone, that only 4 people were allowed to be there (we were six, 4 from RHR and the two farmers) and that we had to leave at 10:30.

The soldiers left and observed us from a watch tower and we continued the work. Hellela tried to contact Rabbi Yehiel and left him a message. Hellela got the phone numbers of the operation commander (Igor) and the Operation head quarter in Jerusalem but didn’t get any answer from them.

At 9h15 the soldiers came back to the fence, reminding us, that at 10:30 we had to leave, that at 10h30 they wanted not to see anyone left in the grove.

Some minutes later, Hellela informed us, that Rabbi Yehiel had spoken to Igor and that we had the permission to stay until 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

The soldiers didn’t show up until around 2 o’clock. One soldier came to the fence and asked me (in a friendly manner this time) how long we would stay. We told him until 4 o’clock, his answer “ok” and he went back.

We finished at 3 o’clock and left together.

Conclusion:
Our presence was obviously necessary for the farmers in order to be able to reach and to work their property. They would never have done so by themselves and seemed to be frightened by the soldiers. Without the permissions and the order from the commander, the soldiers would have chased the farmers and us quickly.

Our so successful ended mission was shadowed by an unfortunate fall of Yael on our way back to the road and was taken to SHaarey Tzedek hospital. She broke her leg.

Yael was very courageous and kept a good mood despite obvious pain in her leg. We wish her Refua Shelema and all the best.