Such trends can be seen across Area C, where settler shepherd outposts managed to seize up to 7 percent of the land by 2022, according to research done by Israeli NGO Kerem Navot.According to preliminary estimates by the NGO, that figure has likely multiplied in the last two years alone, with thousands of additional dunums [hundreds of acres or hectares] seized by these shepherds since October 2023, taking over land once used by Bedouins.
“They are not only shepherding, they literally try to live the life of the Bedouins,” Tariq said of the settlers. “They build tents, they keep donkeys, horses, camels, goats, sheep. They even dress like us Bedouins. They speak and sing Bedouin songs.”
Tariq chuckled. “You know, it’s really funny because those people really don’t know how to do things. They just imitate.”
As each tense day unfolds in Umm al-Khair, the children keep themselves occupied.
Outside at the community centre, an eight-year-old boy named Arafat pushes around an empty baby carriage, “selling vegetables”.
“Potatoes! Watermelon! Cucumbers!” Arafat bellows.
He is a precocious young child, sharp and never shy with strangers after years of solidarity activists coming to the village.
He gave a price for his imaginary goods: “Five shekels ($1.37) per kilo,” and completed the “transaction” while reporting on how business …