Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...

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'Azzun, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 17.12.09, Morning

Date: 17/12/2009 ,Morning

Observers: Na'ava A., Hanna P. (reporting)

Beit Furik

east of Nablus at junction of Route 557 (apartheid road forbidden to Palestinians, leading to Itamar and Elon Moreh), and Route 5487. Checkpoint has operated since 2001, seemingly serving residents of Beit Furik and Beit Dajan. In practice it only serves the residents of the settlements. One of the three permanent checkpoints that close off Nablus, together with Huwwara and Beit Iba.

Close description

Translation: Hanna K.

Azzun 06:20 –
There are two queues of workmen, relatively short. Their endorsements are only for the settlements in the vicinity, but they can of course get to any place. There is on the other hand the risk of being caught. When leaving they register in order to assure their return according to the endorsement they hold.
There is here a volunteer from the Seamline, Yehuda Haviv. Really nice.

06:40 Near the entrance to Beit Arie there is a rolling CP.

The Beit Furik CP – there is nobody. One can get up to Nablus.

07:30 Huwwara
Two taxis were stopped. To one they sent a girl dog trainer, and released it. The second taxi was stopped because its passengers were young people. The taxi was forced to return to Nablus and one passenger was detained for further checking.
We asked the DCO about the "activities" of the Har Beraha settlers. He told us that at the beginning of the "freezing injunction" they came down and created havoc.

08:00 Za'tara/Tapuah Junction
At the parking lot the blue police flickers. Through the loudspeaker they summon the cars that arrive at the CP and have their licences checked. When we asked they said that they were traffic policemen only.