"Built into the terraced hillside, Batir’s vine-wrapped stone alleyways give way to the ancient Roman-era pools and tiny canals that run along pathways down to flood small earthen plots where eggplants grow. The villagers use stones to control the year-round flow of water, which is rotated daily among Batir’s eight main clans. The ancient method is far less lucrative that modern day drip agriculture, but villagers have stuck with tradition.

"We have learned to appreciate this cultural landscape. We have an interest in preserving these locations," says Yuval Peled, director of the park’s authority planning and development department.....

.......The tens of thousands of acres of ancient terraces straddling the Green Line border in the Jerusalem hills stand as one of many reminders that the West Bank as a separate entity is a recent creation of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Indeed, when Israeli and Jordanian military officers first drew the Green Line in 1949, Israel’s Moshe Dayan sought to preserve Batir’s unique tradition by leaving the frontier open and allowing Palestinian villagers access to lands within the newly formed Israeli state.

That 64-year-old recognition and the fact that villagers have refrained from attacks on Israelis despite Batir’s perch above a rail line connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv likely helped the village. Still, the case still isn’t settled."

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0519/In-Israel-a-modern-wall-is-halted-by-ancient-terraces?nav=87-frontpage-entryNineItem

In Israel, a modern wall is halted by ancient terraces

Israel’s high court has issued an injunction against extending the separation barrier through the Palestinian village of Batir, famed for its 2,500-year-old terraces and aqueducts.

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Battir

Palestine Remembered Battir - بتّير : الغزال في بتير ربيع 2013

Palestine Remembered Battir - بتّير : الغزال الفلسطيني في بتير ربيع 2013

Battir - بتّير : General View of the Jinan of Battir منظر عام لـ جنان بتير Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Battir spring and water pool Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Battir's Roman Arch Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : beutiful pic...beutiful memories...from abubutma Palestine Remembered

 

Battir - بتّير : Image from the Past Palestine Remembered

Palestine Remembered Battir - بتّير : A constellation of Students of Battir Girls؟ School in 1952 كوكبة من طالبات مدرسة إناث بتير عام

Palestine Remembered Battir - بتّير : عين البلد

Palestine Remembered Battir - بتّير : Half of which were common in Battir  Palestineنصفها كان سائداً في بتير

Battir - بتّير : General view #7 Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Lands around the village Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Agriculture area Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : The apples Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : The Roman pool #2 Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : The stairs to the pool Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : The western lands Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Battir's Old Days Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Ain Battir from the Matson Collection 1900-1926 Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : 2008 spring Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Spring in Battir 2011 Palestine Remembered

Battir - بتّير : Battir's Poppies Palestine Remembered