Atara, Migdalim, Huwwara Beit Furik, Saturday 24.6.06 AMObservers: Hana H, Nina M, Vivi Tz, Hana B (reporting)Translation: Ruth F.A summery: We dedicated most of our time to observe the “hidden” checkpoint, where we don’t visit regularly. We learned that our presence in such places is extremely important. Atara: This is one of the checkpoints that developed from being a rolling checkpoint into a permanent one. There is a large guarding tower from cement and some sheds on the road. This cp has “replaced” the one that used to stand at Surda. Bp and soldiers man it. The soldiers were surprised to see us, but the Palestinians were happy. Those heading inside or leaving Rammala (to the northern part of the bank) by car, use this cp. The Palestinians told us that on regular days it takes a lot of time to pass. They claim that our presence cause the passage to be faster. The fact that there is a man there selling coffee, only confirms what they said- otherwise to whom would he sell his product. Ofra Junction: a rolling cp- one jeep and two soldiers. There were very few cars standing so the rate must have been fast. We didn’t stay. Migdalim: We drove on road number 505 in the direction of the Bika’a. The cp is placed beneath the settlement on a road leading to Awarta. There were three Golani soldiers. Half way from Za’atara/Tapuah to the cp was a jeep, standing on top of a hill, the soldier there observed and informed the those at the cp about the “criminals” that were on their way. All the dirt ways that lead to this road from the north are blocked with dirt or cement blocks. A cab was standing at the cp, in it was the driver, his brother and three other young men. They managed to get through Huwwara- where their id numbers were written down and also took their fingerprints. They were caught when the young men tried to bypass Za’atara/Tapuah cp, making their way to Rammala, where they work. We tried addressing the soldiers, but they only explained to us that they were “punishing and educating” the “criminals”, so they won’t try to bypass again. We called the IDF Humanitarian Centre several times, and found out the “DCO doesn’t know about which cp we are talking about”!!!. Only after a couple of hours the detainees were released. The cp is used by trucks heading to Awarta (they transfer the merchandise from one truck to the other) – but on Saturday there isn’t much traffic.Za’atara: there were no lines!!! Not when we were heading to Huwwara and not on our way back. The checkpoint was completely empty. Were have all the cars gone to? Izhar junction: the cp wasn’t there.Huwwara: It was an extremely hot day. The attitude towards the Palestinians was terrible, and they didn’t treat us nicely either. 3 cab drivers were sitting in the sun, near the wall that hides the road from the settlement Har Ha’bracha. We were told that “there is not enough man power to guard them under the shed”. Never the less, they were eventually moved. There was one man closed in the cell. When we tried giving him water, they wouldn’t let us near him, and also took our picture. “Now we have your picture” they said and told us they would call the police. The meant the scare us and since weren’t impressed with the idea that the police would arrive, they did in fact call them. After all this abuse the unbelievable happened: The detainees who were kept under the sun because there weren’t enough soldiers to guard them in the shade, and who were too dangerous to be left without a guard, were suddenly not so dangerous- one of them got permission from a solider to go and buy himself and his friends some drinks and food…. The humanitarian line was some times open. The women soldiers are still inspecting men, and men soldiers inspect women, even though we complained about it. The traffic in the entrance to Nablus wasn’t a busy as it was on last Saturdays- It might be that be came late, and most of the people passing had already gone.Beit Furik: The cp was almost completely empty. At the taxi station we met some desperate people. The cp is opend only for the residents of Beit Dagan and Beit Furik. Ain El Bidan was closed. At Hamara the soldiers wouldn’t let anyone pass. All the residents of Nasria, Ta’amon, Jiftlik, Beit Hasan and others, were confined couldn’t get to Nablus or any other central city. One of the people there told us that they had addressed the The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, who told them they would take care of the situation.