In June 2002, at the height of the Second Intifada, the Israeli government began erecting a barrier separating Israel from the West Bank in an attempt to curtail the entry of Palestinian terrorists into the country. This fence, some 456 miles long, has significantly cut down on terrorist infiltration and suicide bombings within Israel, but at the cost of freedom of movement for many Palestinians who live in its shadow.
The daily commute of Palestinians coming into Israel to find work has been cruelly disrupted by checkpoints. But with sky-high unemployment in the West Bank, there's nowhere else to find work. Determined to keep providing for their families, men risk danger and terrible conditions to find work illegally in Israel -- sleeping in river creeks, under bridges, on building sites, and under highways. Those who are caught sneaking past the barrier are arrested; once it's determined that they pose no imminent threat, the men are sent back to their homes in the West Bank. And the wearisome cycle continues.
Photographer Amnon Gutman has been documenting these itinerant Palestinian workers, on their way into Israel via gaps and breaks in the separation barrier, in the southern region of Mount Hebron and Beer Sheva since 2009.
Above: After being caught by Israeli border patrol police near Kibbutz Zeelim around 20 km from the Gaza Strip, a group of young Palestinian workers wait to be deported back to the West Bank on Oct. 28, 2009. They were held for a few hours, transferred to the nearest checkpoint, then released.
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JERRYDH10
9:21 PM ET
September 16, 2011
PIctures
I never understand why the arabs and jews have so much hatred for each other.
Nonetheless, what a stunning image of the war. It's like this teenager is oblivious to what's going on around him.
OYUNSON
2:21 AM ET
September 17, 2011
Agreed
there is term muslim brotherhood which means every islamic person act as brothers. There is alot peace and love in islam then seem in the arab area.oyunlar
BRAUERR31
2:55 PM ET
September 18, 2011
Agreed JerryDH
I don't think that this man had any idea what was going on, but at the same time it's hard to be completely oblivious to what is going on in your country. With that being said, as an American, there are so many people that don't even know what's happening in our country, much less what's happening around the world. For example, 80% of Americans can't even name the Vice President (current) of our country. Just sad if you as me. For example, we're more worried about foods that burn belly fat and flight simulators.
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7:06 PM ET
September 18, 2011
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MOISHE3RD
12:06 PM ET
September 25, 2011
You are indulging in intellectual and psychological fantasies.
"The obstacle to such a simple – and morally unimpeachable – solution is, of course, intellectual and psychological. Traumatized by the Holocaust and perceived insecurity as a Jewish island in an Arab sea, Israelis have immense psychological problems in coming to grips with the practical impossibility of sustaining forever what most of mankind views as a racial-supremacist, settler-colonial regime founded upon the ethnic cleansing of an indigenous population."
Ah, your fantasy sounds so reasonable to the rest of mankind which indulges in their own racilal-supremacist, settler-colonial regime founded upon the ethnic cleansing of an indigenous population.
Unlike Israel, which does not.
How oddly peculiar to accuse Israel of what every country in the world is guilty of and, at the same time, ignore the Arabs who wish to eradicate Israel and Jews from the face of the Earth.
How odd it is to not acknowledge that these same Arabs murder; torture; and impose horrible suffering on each other (and, incidentally attempt to do so to Israel) on a daily basis - day in and day out. Every single day, some Muslim or Arab murders an innocent child or their daughter or other Muslims or their opposing faction or their neighbor or their neighboring tribe or neighboring country. Every single day.
And - you want Israel to simply say - "Sure! C'mon into our country and impose your murderous barbarism on Israel... Why not? Such an impressive lifestyle!"
What is wrong with you?
RESZKA
2:50 PM ET
October 13, 2011
This barrier, some 456 miles
This barrier, some 456 miles long, has actually significantly cut down on terrorist infiltration as well as suicide bombings within Israel, yet at the expense of freedom of movement for many Palestinians that live in its shadow.
ACOMPANHE
6:32 AM ET
September 17, 2011
State solution...
This would not be a pleasant society in which to live. Both colonizers and colonized would be progressively degraded and dehumanized. The colonizers could, rationally, conclude that they could never be forgiven by those they had dispossessed and that no "solution" was imaginable. ....
congratulations on the job!
Ar Condicionado
Massagista
Acompanhantes
PETERBEXLEY
11:13 AM ET
September 17, 2011
Photo essay
Th is is a brilliant photo essay and the phoos really take me on a journey and provide a real insight into this war. Excellent article.
CORTES
3:26 PM ET
October 12, 2011
Palestinians living along the
Palestinians living along the Green Line fence have alleged that Israel Defense Force troops as well as border patrol law enforcement purposely, and unnecessarily, block them from utilizing pathways and pathways near the barrier, making these shepherds trek miles out of their approach.
HUNTER14
12:15 PM ET
September 17, 2011
How about the Jewish refugees?
I look forward to your next photoessay showing the 1 million Jews ethnically cleansed from Arab countries
AJJAMIES
12:38 PM ET
September 17, 2011
Insightful Story
Surely this war and crime against humanity cannot last forever. A great photo essay of some very hard times.
Fistula
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DEMITO06
11:32 AM ET
September 18, 2011
war
i don't like war, world peace to all
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HECTORBD
11:39 AM ET
September 18, 2011
Captured moments
wonderful pictures I must say. You can feel that the photos were able to capture the moments. I really pity the Palestinian men sleeping on the ground instead of a comfortable bed, and also the teenagers who also sleep on the rooftop.
WEBDESIGNSBYAPW
2:41 PM ET
September 18, 2011
Unemployment
The unemployment rate is sad over there. I really think the Government needs to step in and help them. As for the West Bank, why don't they add new businesses here? It would really help and give them some positions to apply for within a new company
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MUSICIAN2010
3:24 PM ET
September 18, 2011
Wrong attitude
I think that both Jewish and Arab people have suffered their part trough the history and the conflict doesn't seem to get any better. This land ownership issue is not possible to solve... unless both nations learn to live together in peace and try to forget and forgive. I know it's almost unrealistic but it's worth to try and it is a better solution than killing each other for a piece of land (I don't mean to be disrespectful, please forgive me if it sounds this way because it was not my intention) ! whitesands
MUSICIAN2010
5:14 PM ET
September 18, 2011
Re: ...a piece of land?
I'm sorry if I offended you or the people who live there... yes you're right, it is their home. My choice of words was really poor and they put a wrong meaning.
KRITHELLDE
7:28 AM ET
September 19, 2011
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RANDY NICHOLSON
12:52 PM ET
September 19, 2011
With Liberty and Justice for All
The Palestinians have a right to be made whole.
SUDOLAR
5:00 PM ET
September 22, 2011
It's always the same, and
It's always the same, and always will be. Sadly. Just an excuse for war mongering and gun shopping.
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APRA
4:13 AM ET
September 25, 2011
There is always a hope for tomorrow
Although for some Palestinians, the whole world seems black, I believe some of them still can see and believe that there are some opportunities waiting for them. I think they need to help each other. The stronger Palestinians should help the weaker ones. The key to solve the sky-high unemployment in West Bank could be thinking outside the box. Instead of searching the jobs, they should create ones. It can be related to natural anti inflammatory, or something else. Find the gold inside the area of West Bank or find anything that will bring hope for Palestinians. There is always a hope for people do not stop looking for one.
HELPDADDY
10:06 AM ET
September 26, 2011
Stunning pictures indeed.
The pictures are really stunning, really captured the moments. I must say the black and white effect also highlighted drama even without the colors.
ABBAN AZIZ
4:37 AM ET
September 28, 2011
Horse crap.
>>The daily commute of Palestinians coming into Israel to find work has been cruelly disrupted by checkpoints. But with sky-high unemployment in the West Bank, there's nowhere else to find work. Determined to keep providing for their families, men risk danger and terrible conditions to find work illegally in Israel -- sleeping in river creeks, under bridges, on building sites, and under highways. Those who are caught sneaking past the barrier are arrested; once it's determined that they pose no imminent threat, the men are sent back to their homes in the West Bank. And the wearisome cycle continues.>>
B.S. Palestinians have a higher quality of life, life expectancy, literacy, education, and more welfare than Sudan/somalia/Egypt combiend.
Israel is at war, yet it continues to aid Palestinians - especially the PLO - dubiously.
When will people look at the mafia Palestinian government? Arafat was a BILLIONAIRE!
Netanyahu is being hassled for daring to purchase a private jet. Abbas has a fleet of G5s just for himself. Flying from developed nation begging for more money, just like Arafat.
And lest we forget the 3 million Palestinians who live in Arab nations, who are treated like dogs? 10% of Lebanon's population is Palestinian, and they can't even become citizens.
The #1 human right is the right to LIVE. Sorry Palies, the "fence" started construction in 2004, not 2002, and freedom of movement for Palestinians is greater than it was pre-2000.
This year dozens of Jews have been killed because Israel has relaxed check points. Last week an Israeli infant and father died in a car crash after being ambushed by a mob of Palestinians.
But no photographers in site for the massacre. Nope, just this B.S.
Because real journalists aren't allowed in the WB without the tacit approval of the PNA. Remember al-dura? Pallywood?
All LIARS.
AKIVA
6:00 PM ET
September 28, 2011
What's missing....
What's missing is context and perspective: there would be no need for a separation barrier/wall/fence if the Palestinians hadn't been sending their teenagers strapped with bombs into Israel to kill people.
There was a time, efore Arafat arrived to the West Bank, when Palestinians freely came and went into Israel, earning a living in plentiful jobs...and Israelis came to the cafes of Jericho. But that sadly changed when some Palestinians unfortunately chose violence.
PROTV
5:36 PM ET
October 13, 2011
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YARINSIZ
6:55 PM ET
October 14, 2011
I think that both Jewish and
I think that both Jewish and Arab people have suffered their part trough the history and the conflict doesn't seem to get any better. seslichat This land ownership issue is not possible to solve... unless both nations learn to live together in peace and try to forget and forgive.
CHRISBIKER
10:59 AM ET
October 16, 2011
The boy,
The boy, small and frail, is struggling to stay awake. His head lolls to the side, at one point slumping on to his chest. "Lift up your head! Lift it up!" shouts one of his interrogators exercise bike, slapping him. But the boy by now is past caring, for he has been awake for at least 12 hours since he was separated at gunpoint from his parents at two that morning. "I wish you'd let me go," the boy whimpers, "just so I can get some sleep
CHANGS
8:54 PM ET
October 17, 2011
It's sad
It's sad that the different people of the world can not live in peace together. It is even sadder that religion is used to separate people from each other. Religion and ethnicity should not matter, we are all members of the human race.
Makes you want to pull your hair out thinking about it.