Jubara, Tuesday, 16.8.05, PMObservers: Fathiya A. Horit P. Sharon R. (Reporting)3:30 PM – No pedestrians are allowed across the checkpoint except those with blue IDs. A long line of cars on their way out of Tulkarm. According to drivers, it’s a three-hour wait. The checkpoint commander explains that the delay is because they are checking every car rather than the standard random check. At our request to assign two more soldiers so that they check two cars simultaneously, he says he would be happy to do so but does not have enough personnel. The soldiers say they caught a taxi with firearms earlier. The taxi is standing next to the checkpoint, ripped open. We call the DCO, speak with Yael. After an inquiry, Yael says there is nothing she can do, it’s been this way over the last few days, after they had discovered explosives in three different cars. She tells us to try our luck with the Brigade. We call the brigade and speak with Hen, who says she will speak with the battalion and see what can be done. We call again half an hour later. Hen says she has spoken with the battalion and they will assign more people to expedite the passage. 5:50 PM – Lo and behold, two more soldiers have indeed been assigned (so now there are four altogether). Drivers report that the wait is now one hour.