There are no paved roads in Pardess Daka, which covers about 20 dunams. It's dominated by a vast, fetid pool of water fed by various municipal drainage systems. There are mounds of garbage covered with dirt. Trash is everywhere. Many of the homes are shanties made of wood planks and metal sheeting, others are made of raw concrete.
Boys ride by on donkeys.
Scores of used, undoubtedly stolen, cars are on blocks, being dissassembled for spare parts. Half the children don't go to school, says one resident. A crowd gathers around us. People talks about the stink, the mosquitoes. They want to throw us out and tear it down for the rich.