The settlers have a very clear interest to transform what is known as "Zion route" (a route connecting Kiryat Arba to Hebron) into a Jewish route. The “Machpela House,” the “Red House” (houses the settlers occupied), “Hazon David,” which is an illegal outpost opposite the entrance gate [to Kiryat Arba] – it’s all part of turning it into [a Jewish route]. Ultimately, the Palestinians won’t want to live there because it’s too difficult, and they [the settlers] ride that wave. All the H2 Area (the area of Hebron under Israeli security control), especially this area - if you’re [a Palestinian] with money, you won’t live there. Why should you? The army takes over your house regularly, there are roadblocks. But especially on Zion route. If you live on Zion route or in the Kasbah or something like that, and you have money, you just leave. Why should you [stay]? Why have the army sit there all day long… Not being able to drive up to your house, there’s part of your neighborhood you can’t go by foot? No reason [to live there.]

You say the settlers want to turn it into a Jewish route. What do you base that on? On their actions. And you understand, strategically, why they want to do it. The idea is to make a connection, that Kiryat Arba and Hebron will be inseparable. And at the present, what’s missing to connect the Jewish community in Hebron to Kiryat Arba is these 500 meters between Zion route and the checkpoint of the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Was the issue discussed in the District Coordination Office, was it mentioned in any way? It was known that it was what the settlers wanted, and there was a serious focus on avoiding it, because it was a political issue, it would become a political issue. 31 It’s very easy to evacuate a house [that settlers occupy] in the first 24 hours, but afterwards it’s much more difficult, legally. So soldiers were told to pay attention to such things.