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 'Atma, Thu 28.1.10, Morning

Date: 28/01/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Esti V., Nava A., (reporting), Translator: Chana S.

Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim)

On the Green Line north of Route 557 and south of Tulkarm, operated by a civilian manpower company. Serves as exit and entry gate for workers from Tulkarm in Israel, and for transit of commercial quantities of goods by back-to-back method.

Close description

06.25 ‘Azzun. A short line of Palestinians is waiting to be checked in the net column. Drivers waiting for workers tell us that at the checkpoint on the other side there is a crowd of hundreds and consequently workers do not reach this checkpoint.

There is a woman officer and two pleasant women soldiers as well as a military policeman in the cubicle. The soldiers say that it was decided not to open the checkpoint at 04:00 because by 05.30 they will dehydrated. Now that they open later tremendous pressure builds up at the second checkpoint. They heard that there had been blows there (Palestinians fighting over places in the line). They say they don’t determine policy, they report on the situation to their superiors, and express their opinion but do not have much influence.