Visit to Umm al-Khair
we visited the Bedouin village of Umm al-Khair to speak with community leader Awdah Hathaleen about creating a collaborative mural in memory of the late 73 year-old Palestinian activist Hajj Suleiman Hathaleen, Allah Yerhamo. the village is located in Masafer Yatta (also referred to as the South Hebron Hills) in Area C of the West Bank. the Hathaleen tribe situated themselves on the land after they were forced off of their lands in al-Arad in 1948. the community faces imminent demolition orders on its structures, and its shepherds constantly face the brunt of settler violence.
a revered elder of Umm al-Khair and across the Hebron governorate, Hajj Suleiman was fatally injured on January 5 when an Israeli tow truck ran over him during a raid of the village by Israeli forces to seize unregistered vehicles. he was taken by a private vehicle, due to lack of ambulance services, to the nearest medical center 15 km away. he unfortunately died of his injuries 12 days later. Hajj Suleiman is remembered for his peaceful protesting, his resilience and his ability to speak out against the crimes perpetrated against Palestinians.