Located north-west of Nablus, area B.
Nablus is the city that provides commerce, hospital and medical
services as well as a university, for many surrounding villages on
the other side of the checkpoint. From the taxi parking space at
one end to the taxi parking space at the other end of this
checkpoint is approximately a 250m. walk. The checkpoint stands
along side a working quarry, adding dust to the heat. 5 soldiers of
an elite unit were handling the busy checkpoint. At its centre
stands a small, metal cage-like structure with two narrow slots for
windows. Out of one window a soldier’s face appears, and a pointing
rifle — “these are the orders”, and anyway “they
are used to it”. When we begin to photograph, the rifle
disappears. Opposite this window is a table where bags and purses
are opened for checking. Checkpoint rules today are that women and
little children can pass, as well as males under 16 yrs and over 35
yrs. The rest must have a permit, obtainable at the Huwwara DCO.
Regularly passing trucks and lorries are registered. These include
petrol, gas and quarry products. Humanitarian vehicles (ambulances)
can pass. Other vehicles are sent through Huwwara. We saw no
private cars try to pass, hence, none turned around. For the past
two months, the regular taxi drivers cannot drive through. They
park their taxis on the Nablus side, and walk around the checkpoint
(90 minutes) to their home, 2 minutes away from the checkpoint on
its other side … A young man is told to come here to get his
confiscated ID. The soldiers know nothing of this, and he doesn’t
know where to look. We make calls. The young man is told to go to
Nablus/Huwwara DCO, or if not there, to Qalqilya DCO. In person —
not by phone.