‘Anabta, ‘Azzun, Eyal, Irtah, Qalqiliya, Thu 7.5.09, Morning
07:00 Irtah: According
to Yaron from the Ministry of Defence whom we spoke with, the checkpoint
is supposed to open at 4:30. Yaron explained that there are no
more examination posts because there is no budget, and this is a decision
of the Ministry of Defence. He also said that all the people who
pass through are counted, and there are never more than 3,000 people
in one day. We met Ziona and Didika who will report what took
place in the morning. Yaron said that if the checkpoint would
open earlier people would arrive even earlier. During the time
we were there the checkpoint was still open and a lot of cars were waiting
in the parking lot to go through.
7:20 We observed the checkpoint
at A-Ras from a distance, and it was not operating.
07:30, Anabta: When we arrived
people were moving through the checkpoint quickly with almost no check.
When we stood and watched each car was checked by peeking into all its
parts, including the trunk. The soldier performed all the checks
with one hand while he held a cigarette in the other and smoked.
These were the same soldiers who tried to evict us from the checkpoint
two weeks earlier. Now they said nothing, but we had the feeling
that they are checking more. After a short time we distanced ourselves
from the checkpoint and continued observing from a distance. The
soldiers began to let most of the cars go through without being checked.
Perhaps we are imagining it, but it would be preferable to stand further
away and things would remain as usual. Drivers exiting were questioned
briefly, but there were no significant delays.
08:50 Near Kedumim: On the hill
in the orchard opposite the pink house there is a cave, and the settlers
have built a structure at the entrance to it and there are people there.
09:00 Azzun – The entrance
is completely open.
09:10: Qalqilya: People are
moving through quickly and there is a short line at the entrance to
the city. Occasionally a car is checked or the driver is questioned.
09:40: We drove through the
Eyal Checkpoint that was completely empty despite the fact there were
taxis waiting next to it waiting for passengers. All the projectors
are working – and I thought that the Army has budget problems!
The objective was to become familiar with the place in order to visit
there in the future.
'Anabta CP
See all reports for this place-
'Anabta CP
The checkpoint is located south of the village of 'Anabta, at the intersection of Road 60 (leading to Nablus at the entrance to Area A), with Road (57, 557, 5576) facing west towards the Einav settlement and the checkpoint at the exit from the West Bank - Figs checkpoint. Until 2010 we used to watch the intersection and report the long columns created due to a slow inspection of the vehicles in both directions.
Oct-28-2011Anabta checkpoint 24.10.11
-
'Azzun
See all reports for this place-
Azoun (updated February 2019)
A Palestinian town situated in Area B (under civil Palestinian control and Israeli security control),
on road 5 between Nablus and Qalqiliya, east of Nabi Elias village. The inhabitants are allowed to construct and improve infrastructures. The Separation Fence has confiscated lands belonging to the town's people. In 2018 olive tree groves owned by one of its inhabitants were confiscated for the sake of paving a road to bypass Nabi Elias. Azoun population numbers 13,000, its economic state dire. Its infrastructures are poor, neglect and poverty rampant. In the meantime, the town council has completed paving an internal road for the inhabitants' welfare.
Because of its proximity to the Jewish settler-colony of Karnei Shomron and its outposts, the town suffers the intense presence of the Israeli army, especially at nighttime: soldiers enter homes, arrest suspects, trash the house and sometimes ruin it, as they do in numerous places in the West Bank. At times a checkpoint closes the entrance to the town, so no one can come in or get out.
-
Eyal Checkpoint / Crossing
See all reports for this place-
Eyal Checkpoint is intended for pedestrians and Palestinians only. This is the main barrier for workers to cross from the center of the West Bank. Workers with a work permit to enter Israel can pass through it for trade, medicine, and visiting prisoners. The checkpoint was built on the Green Line north of Qalqilya in the separation barrier that surrounds the city. The checkpoint began operating in 2004 by the military. Opening hours on weekdays from 04:00 to 19:00. We started holding shifts there in 2007. We arrived at the checkpoint before it opened at 4 in the morning. We reported on the difficult conditions and the long and cramped queues of workers who must continue their journey by commuting to work throughout Israel. At the end of June 2009, the checkpoint was operated by a civil security company, The transit time has been gradually shortened, today it is faster, but the Palestinians still have to arrive very early to make it to the transportation. Usually, about 15,000 people pass through.
-
Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim)
See all reports for this place-
The checkpoint is for Palestinians only. It is the main barrier to the passage of workers from the northern West Bank to Israel. Workers with a permit to work in Israel and also for trade (with appropriate permissions), medicine, and visiting prisoners. One can cross the checkpoint only on foot. The checkpoint is located north of Road 557 and south of Tulkarm. Operated by a civil security company, opening hours: between 4:00 and 19:00 on weekdays. As members of Machsom Watch, we began our shifts to this location in 2007. We arrived before it opened at 4 in the morning and report since, on the harsh conditions and the long and crowded queues of workers. The workers who pass by continue their journey by transportation to work throughout Israel. In the first period of its activity, about 3,000 and then 5,000 people passed through this checkpoint every day. Due to the small number of checking points and arbitrary delays for long periods of time in the "rooms", workers feared losing their transportation. Hence workers leave their homes at 2:30 at night to be among the first. Today, 15,000 pass and the transition is faster. Workers are still leaving their homes very early to get past the checkpoint at 7 p.m. In an adjacent compound, there is a terminal for the transfer of goods on a commercial scale, using the back-to-back method.
-
Qalqiliya checkpoint
See all reports for this place-
Qalqilya is surrounded on all sides by the separation barrier. The only exit from the city is in the east of the city on the road that leaves the city in an easterly direction. This is where the checkpoint was located. When the checkpoint was active until 2009 our shifts watched long queues of cars being inspected at the only exit from the city to the West Bank. The checkpoint was canceled, but there is a military presence at the entrance to the city.
Nina SebaAug-18-2025Azzun: Enclosed by a high fence and the gate to the village is closed
-