Jab’a
Jab’a is not an easy village to find, surrounded by the Israeli Gush Etzion settlement bloc, but it is undoubtedly one of the hidden gems of Palestine. It is a very small place, with a concrete football pitch at the village entrance the focal point for the Jab’a’s lively younger generation. But the abundance of greenery surrounding the village and along its streets give Jab’a a peaceful, attractive ambience which belies its fragile position surrounded by illegal Israeli settlements.
In 2012, the old mosque in the village was burnt to the ground by Israeli settlers, and the villagers continue to be told they cannot build any more houses, as any kind of necessary expansion is halted.
Located 15km southwest of Bethlehem, Jab’a’s closest Palestinian neighbour is Nahalin to the north, while Wadi Fukin can be seen in the valley below from the hill at the top of the village. There is a beautiful old town area atop the hill, where crumbling ruins mix with cactus, olive trees and breath-taking views to create an incredibly beautiful spot.
Population: 896 (2007)
