As a small concession to the other side, the Palestinians have erected a sort of prefabricated metal hut just inside the compound, where two white monks are allowed to stay subject to strict limits on the size of the wooden awning they may build to fend off the heat.

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These visitors, and online ones too, can also buy spiritual books, the work of local artisans, gardening supplies and fresh produce, including the monks' tasty white oyster mushrooms.

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We saw the activists dressed in white visit the families of political prisoners on Sundays and monks dressed in saffron protesting peacefully in the streets.

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