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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Beit Furik, Huwwara, Sun 10.1.10, Afternoon

Date: 10/01/2010 ,Afternoon

Observers: Judit B., Tal H. (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: Tal H.

14:45 Shaar Shomron Checkpoint (Entry into the West Bank)

First glimpse of a new huge partition/wall/’decorative’ view obstruction along the northern side of the checkpoint that will hide anything going on in and between the facility administrative and service structures.

15:15 Beit Furik Checkpoint

We saw soldiers but no checks.

Huwwara Checkpoint 15:30

Manned (only today?) mainly by Border Patrolmen.

As we got there, a van was already being held up at the entrance to the old taxi park next to the checkpoint compound. The BPmen required the driver and passenger to get out of the car. After we tried to address the Palestinians, the BPmen immediately required them to sit on the curb at a considerable distance apart so they couldn’t converse. To our question why the delay, the soldiers answered that the men refused to let them inspect the car.

16:00 we call the army hotline to report exactly what was going on, doubting the soldiers’ story that the Palestinians “don’t let them inspect the car” (!)

16:15 the driver is made to unscrew his vehicle’s back lights.

16:30 The two detainees are released with their car, and we leave.

On our way to Jit Junction, we see vehicle and water trailer climbing the dirt track up to the settler outpost near Havat Gilad.