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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'Anabta, 'Awarta, Beit Furik, Burin (Yitzhar), Deir Sharaf, Huwwara, Jit, Za'tara (Tapuah), Wed 3.2.10, Morning

Date: 03/02/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Dalia Z., Micky F.

Latest reports:

Anabta

South of Anabta village, before junction with 557 (close to Einav settlement).

Close description

Translation: Suzanne O.

Za'atra

7:50 a.m.

There is a short queue of 10 - 12 cars in just one queue. The crossing is quick.

Beita

7:55 a.m.

A military jeep is parked opposite the village. There are no cars or people detained.

Huwwara roadblock

8:00 a.m.

Those entering are not inspected, only those leaving.

A yellow car is detained for inspection; people are kept standing around for 5 minutes and the inspection is over.

The other cars in the queue, about 7 in number, also cross quickly - the time it takes for a car from the moment it arrives from Nablus to the end of the queue at 8:06 a.m. until it leaves the queue at 8:08 a.m., is 2 minutes.

(Today appears to be a good day...)

There are military jeeps at Jit Junction, Yitzhar Junction and also at the Gilad Farm.

Beit Furiq

8:25 a.m.

There are no soldiers to be seen. They are sleeping in the pill box apparently. Cars cross with no problems at all.

Awarta

8:40 a.m.

A lorry is detained. We approached the driver - he said that he took a short cut from Huwwara on the apartheid road to Awarta. Not a minute after we spoke to the driver a soldier came to return his papers and sent the lorry on his way.

On our way to the Barrel roadblock - there is a jeep opposite Yitzhar.

The Barrel roadblock

9:00 a.m.

No roadblock, no nothing. Cars pass on their way to and from Nablus.

Anabta

9:15 a.m.

There are taxis at the side of the road, waiting for passengers.

There are no soldiers at all at the roadblock.

The occupation has not eased, it has just moved to places that are further away from the main roads...