Trouble in Barta'a (part 2)

Abu Rami's son is back from hospital, recovering at home.

It all started on Sunday night, 3 weeks ago, when a group of kids from Kabatia taunted some local Barta'a youth. A fight broke out, knives yielded and Abu Rami's son was stabbed. Within moments hundreds of people gathered. The stabber, a guy from Kabatia, was about to be lynched when Abu Rami showed up. Shielding his son's attacker with his body, he led him to safety handing him over to Kabatia people (there is a big presence of people from Kabatia in Barta'a. They work and sleep in their market stalls).

At this point, there are no dead bodies. No deaths = no blood feud. But all of a sudden someone collapses. A 37 year old man suffers a fatal heart attack. He is from Kabatia, a village infamous for its' armed gangs and long history of violence.

The next day, Abu Rami came back from Hadera hospital with some news. He makes a public announcement on the outskirts of the market. His son, thank God is alive and recovering from his wounds. The man from Kabatia died of a heart attack. He has a copy of the death certificate. Everyone breaths a sigh of relief. This should be the end of it. But a few hours later, word is out that the gangs in Kabatia are seeking revenge. Anyone from Barta'a going to Jenin is taking the risk of being shot.

So now, life in Barta'a is even more difficult Muntasir tells me. "I need to get to Jenin periodically. That's where we do our banking and sort out administrative issues with the various governmental offices. I get supplies for my medical laboratory from there too". "With travel restrictions, it's often difficult to get to Jenin. But now, I am afraid for my life." Muntasir is 27 years old and has not been able to leave Barta'a for 3 weeks.