As Israeli settlements grow larger, Palestinian hikes grow shorter.

With Israelis rapidly building in the West Bank, Palestinian hikers are increasingly unable to walk across the land. “We used to roam for hours, now we walk in circles,” Jamal Aruri, 61, reported. Jamal was a retired photographer and an experienced hiker. Many hikers now avoid the hiking trails with the very noticeable and violent Israeli people on it. Palestinian people started to hike northwest, attempting to avoid any confrontation with the Israelis: “They knew proceeding farther risked a violent encounter. Without a word, Mr. Aruri turned in a different direction, cutting about a kilometer from their planned journey.” Sadly, this was the only way to avoid violence; it shortened the highly anticipated nature hike significantly. 

Many Israeli settlers are building more encampments across multiple valets of the West Bank. Jamal Aruri was one of the people in the group that had to relocate to the northwest, as well. Mr. Aruri was very saddened by the fact that the trails he used to walk since his childhood were now infested with Israeli people.