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...
'Azzun 'Atma, Beit Iba, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Tue 23.2.10, Morning
23/02/2010 ,Morning
Nataly and Ruth
Azzun Atma - 07:20 - Southern Passage
6 workmen are waiting for their employers to come and collect them to work. There are 5 soldiers, one of them is a reservist (the Palestinian with whom we talked said that they behave better). Again we hear that the Northern Passage (1.5 kms further on, on the other side of the village, serves the neighboring villages) is the problematic one. There they transfer people slowly, thee is a long queue, much pressure etc. Again we didn't get to that passage.
Zatara - 08:00
We pass in the direction of Huwwara without delay, and so it goes from the other side too.
Huwwara - 08:30
There is a border police jeep in the middle of the village, the doors are open, the firearms are held and there is a lot of self-importantce. Even when passing quickly one can feel clearly who the master is.
At the CP there is checking in both directions - for those entering and those leaving Nablus.
We don't see delays. There are random checks and a lively traffic.
Today the soldiers see us and show absolutely no interest, although we don't behave differently than we did two weeks ago, when they attacked us, threatened and delayed us.
Deir Sharaf (Barrels) - Beit Iba
There is nothing, as usual since quite a long time.