Hamra, Tayasir, Saturday, 9.6.07 amObservers: Chava H, Michal Z (with guest), Vivi Z, Chana B (reporting)translated by L.WWe decided to go to the Rift Valley checkpoints on Saturday because we received serious complaints about behaviour at Tayasir – and again especially about K., the soldier well remembered for previous incidents. Before going out we complained in writing about the serious happenings, in as wide as possible a distribution.On the road up from Jericho to Jerusalem there were three rolling checkpoints. The one just before the Dead Sea road was very active preventing Palestinians from entering to swim in the sea.On Route 90 much Palestinian traffic.Hamra 08:40Checkpoint completely empty. Pedestrian traffic only – cars need a special permit. In the pen are two handcuffed men, their eyes covered with flannelit (rifle cleaning cloth). We called the Humanitarian Centre in an attempt to find out why they were detained, and when they would be released. We demanded that they be given water – certainly not a luxury in Jordan Valley heat. Shortly after we arrived, a jeep brought a doctor who checked the detainees. He listened to heart, lungs, checked throat the same way that Saddam had been examined, looked in their eyes, took blood pressure, and departed. Now a captain materialised (refusing to give his name), and demanded that we back off to beyond the checkpoint. Some 20 soldiers had gathered at the checkpoint, all come “in our honour,” in order to drive us out with the usual excuses: Israelis are forbidden to be here, you endanger yourselves, etc.A doctor from Paraa camp working in Jiftlik clinic complained about the attitude of the soldiers and police who give tickets and fines for no reason. A number of Palestine Police from Jenin were inspected meticulously, and were required to do the “dance.” They told of a checkpoint at Kabatiya where the behaviour is bad. The soldiers approached us from time to time with a demand that we back off – though their manner was reasonable.TayasirImmediately upon our arrival the soldiers closed the checkpoint, which a number of cars and pedestrians delayed and all this in heavy heat. It is difficult to know whether as a result of the many complaints sent about Kobi, buy us and others, the soldiers decided to immediately call the duty officer, Lieutenant M. He came on the run and immediately opened the checkpoint with an impressive demonstration of purpose. He also approached us, invited us to ascend the hill from where we could see the checkpoint a little better than the place where we had been standing, and tried to convince us that “everything is being dealt with,” held a “serious talk” with the soldiers in the presence of settlers (what are they doing here??!!!) And now everything’s okay… Our impression in no way confirmed that declaration.The soldiers at the checkpoint are crude and cheeky, behave disparagingly to the Palestinians, and the atmosphere is of aggression – verbal and behavioural. The impression is that someone is telling these soldiers that embarrassing behaviour is the correct way to behave at a checkpoint. Considering that the place is far from anyone’s view, this behaviour is is facilitated and nothing has so far been done to stop it.Two people are detained on the contention that their IDs are fakes. They are not handcuffed or blindfolded, and are sitting in the shade. After we left, we heard that they were sent back but not arrested.At the place where in the past there had been a checking station, we found on the ground a large stack of yellow license plates, apparently removed from Israeli vehicles. We asked ourselves what it could mean, whether those vehicles were stolen? We couldn’t reach any conclusions.Two passers by, asked separately about Kobi, gave identical details. He harasses young women with verbal-sexual violence in the presence of fathers and brothers and demands that they open their outer garments. He is also physically violent to men. We have names and phone numbers of people willing to testify. A friend who frequently works there has also collected testimonies.In conclusion: only one word is suitable to describe the situation at this checkpoint, and the behaviour of our soldiers – hideous!!