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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'Awarta, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Wed 6.1.10, Morning

Date: 06/01/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Nava M., Michal B. (reporting) Guests: Sarah (Switzerland) and Timor (photographer).

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: Suzanne O.

8:20 a.m.

On Road 5 between the Barkan industrial area and the Ariel industrial area a police jeep slows the traffic down for some kind of inspection.

The barrier at Zeita is still there.

Tapuach Junction

08:45

Traffic flows - counted 28 cars heading south.

Huwwara

8:35 a.m.

When we got there cars were crossing in both directions with no inspection. There was no queue.

The DCO came to say hello - perhaps more to Nadim than to us.

Within a few minutes a car is directed to the side - the driver gets out, opens the boot, a dog handler and dog inspect. The car is released within 5 minutes.

Immediately afterwards a Palestinian Authority car is held up, the passengers alight, they are stood in a row with their backs to the car. The procedure with the dog is repeated but this time it takes 20 minutes!

During the time we were there, there was almost always a car being inspected. Just before we left a bus was directed to the side and all the passengers taken off and stood in a row.

Awarta

9:30 a.m.

There are almost no lorries.

We wanted to see what was happening at the Nablus DCO. We parked in the car park where there were coffee vendors and taxi drivers waiting for the people they had brought. Over 15 minutes only 4 people came and they immediately went inside.

Beit Furiq

9:45 a.m.

There are no soldiers. Cars can cross freely - it is almost completely empty.