The story of Ahmad Daraghme, a Palestinian shepherd, and Gil Alexander, a Jewish activist, is one of courage and conflict in the hills of the West Bank. Ahmad has been repeatedly harassed by settlers, who aim to drive Palestinians off the land. Settler violence has escalated sharply, with over 1,000 attacks recorded since October, displacing hundreds of people.
Despite the tension and danger, Gil Alexander and other activists from the Jordan Valley are committed to protecting Palestinians. They accompany shepherds like Ahmad to and from grazing lands, facing threats and violence from settlers. Gil, a devout religious Jew, believes in defending true Jewish values and advocating for peaceful coexistence.
However, the political landscape in Israel is challenging, with a right-wing government supporting settlement expansion in the West Bank. The Knesset recently rejected a Palestinian state, citing security concerns. Settler violence is seen as a minority issue by some, while activists like Gil are labeled as radicals disrupting military activity.
In the midst of this conflict, Ahmad and Gil continue their daily routines in the hills, herding sheep and goats, hoping for a peaceful resolution to a long-standing conflict. Despite the odds, they believe in the power of dialogue and understanding to overcome the deep-rooted divisions in the region.
