Testimonies

Hisan al-Qarajeh, victim, farme, aged 60

I own a small piece of land, 2 dunum, south east of the Karme Zur settlement. I grow grapes, which are the only source of income for my family. On Tuesday, July 2, I rode my donkey to the land with my daughter, Inshirah, aged 35, and my grandson, Mahmud, aged 10. I wanted to pick grape leaves to sell in the market. I got to the land at 8:30 AM, and got off the donkey. At the same time, a long white vehicle arrived at the place. The driver got out and the other passenger stayed inside. The driver was thin and wore a kippah (scull cap). He had a black beard. He was medium height. He asked us what we were doing and told us to return to our homes immediately. I told him I wanted to work in my land and gestured with my hand that I was standing on it. Before I finished, the man jumped toward the fence, picked up a rock and threw it at me. I moved my head and the rock hit the fence and then the left side of my head. I felt severe pain and walked a few steps back, toward my neighbors' vines, where I fell into the thorns. I felt I was loosing balance and consciousness. My daughter and grandson tried to help me and I leaned on them. I walked for about 100 meters and ran into a few farmers. They took me into their vines, tied a piece of cloth to my head and helped me get home.

Before I got to those farmers, an army jeep passed by. It was going toward the settlement. I raised my hands in an attempt to stop it and ask for help. The jeep diverted and kept driving toward the settlement.

When I got to the army base at the entrance to Halhul, I came across a group of farmers who were with some people from CPT. They had come to the place to go to the lands with the farmers and protest the fact they were not allowed to reach it. The CPT people gave me first aid. They put ice cubes on the wound which had swollen and caused my left eye to shut. I notice that the CPT women cried when they were giving me first aid.

At around 9:00 AM, a Red Crescent ambulance came and took me to the Halhul clinic. I stayed there for two days. I had x-rays done received shots and was released. The wound in my forehead is still visible and I still have headaches, especially when I sleep. I stayed in bed for a long time. I didn't go back to the land because I was afraid the settlers would harass me again. I don't know what to do if this situation goes on and we can't get to our lands. My five children are not working and I'm hoping the income from the land will make up for it. If this goes on, and we can't pick the grapes next month, we'll be in big trouble.

Hisan Muhamad Mahmud al-Qarajeh, born in 1942, is married and the mother of seven. She is a farmer, and resident of Halhul.
The testimony was given to Musa Abu Hashhash in Halhul, July 8, 2002.