Atara
Atara, Wednesday, 21.3.2007, AMObservers: Yehudith E., Ruthi R. (reporting), Natanya translating6.30 – In stead of going to Qalandiya we went to the checkpoint of Atara which is the northern exit from Ramallah. This is the point from which one gets to road 60 to the south (area of Bethlehem and Hebron), and to the north (the area of the West Bank). In the last days we have received complaints that the passage through the checkpoint takes a very long time.The journey on the road bypassing Ramallah took an hour and passed through the village areas and the spring is all around. On the western range there are many Palestinian villages with no sign post leading to them. And on the other hand to the settlements there are sign posts in English, Hebrew and Arabic without fail. (Migron, Givat Yosef). Only in front of the village of Taibe there is still an old sign post in Hebrew and Arabic. Not only is there no sign post but many of these villages have no passage to the main road or at least not as far we could see. When we pass Ofra we see how a illegal fence is being built which will prevent the villagers of Ein Barud from reaching their lands. We turned left in the direction of Halmish, Ofarim, Nachaliel, Talmon and Atara and to the bridge at the exit of the village of Atara where the checkpoint is. This checkpoint is the exit in the direction of Ramallah and towards road 60 – for unknown reason those entering Ramallah are checked and not those exiting. The line of cars to Ramallah passes at a relatively good pace while we were there. At the exit of Ramallah there is of course no line.The drivers of the Palestinian cars waved and greeted us. One taxi driver complained of the long delays.9.00 back to Jerusalem
Hebron
See all reports for this place-
According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.
Checkpoints observed in H2:
- Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
- Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
- The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
- Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station
Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs
Raya YeorDec-18-2025Hebron - Yusri Jaber and part of his family
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