Residents of Gush Etzion took to the streets Thursday to protest the Partition Wall and physically block efforts by the Defense Ministry to cut down a nature preserve to build the wall.
The Suda Forest Nature Preserve in Gush Etzion, planted during the British Mandate, is slated to be cut down in order to build the Partition Wall.
Protesters gathered along the Jerusalem-Hevron Highway Thursday morning, promising to halt the construction of the wall, which they say will strangle Gush Etzion and endanger its citizens.
Kfar Etzion Field School Director Yaron Rosenthal shows the fence's route in the area - cutting through the nature preserve and fencing out hundreds of acres of Jewish-owned land to avoid harming Arab vineyards.
Protesters cross the highway and head up the hill to the Suda Forest, where the sounds of chainsaws are already being heard.
Rosenthal showing the Defense Ministry contractor the Supreme Court petition, telling him the protestors would not allow the trees to be cut.
Arab tree-cutters leave the area.
Border police arrive, wearing the notorious black uniforms used during the Gaza expulsion.
A young protestor greets the riot police as they move toward the forest.
Police, with riot gear in hand, ready for action.
Police face off with demonstrators in Suda Forest.
Police vehicles waiting at Gush Etzion Junction, including paddy-wagon for mass-arrests.
Kfar Etzion Field School Director Rosenthal, with the blessing of the Border Police commander, delivers a history lesson about Gush Etzion to the troops as they await orders.
Rosenthal tells the police to "get up," and leads them on a short tour through the Suda Forest.
Activists sit on rocks around the forest, awaiting word of the Supreme Court decision.
Young protestors take advantage of the calm to study Talmud.
Others take the time to stroll through the pastoral pines.
Others man the protest line. Signs read: "The Whole Gush Etzion is Against the Whole Fence" and "Spend Money on Health Care - Don't Waste it on the Fence."
The court order arrives, forbidding construction in Suda Forest for five days pending a court decision.
Meanwhile, construction of what looks like a border-crossing continues full speed ahead on the Gush Etzion side of the Tunnels Road. More and more residents are joining the struggle against the next "unilateral disengagement" - the security fence.
(Photos: Ezra HaLevi)