‘Azzun ‘Atma, Thu 2.4.09, Morning
We met the head of the DCO and of the Civil Administration who are very satisfied with the easing of checkpoint restrictions. They’re less satisfied at the ‘Azzun ‘Atma checkpoint, and very worried, and the vendors at Huwwara don’t really feel any difference.
06:50 ‘Azzun ‘Atma. There are 50-60 people in line. The concrete cubes where the soldiers stand are covered against the rain and the sun, but not those waiting in line. Luckily for them it was a nice day, and at least the weather isn’t annoying.
Two soldiers stand next to the gate, each conducting inspections. ID cards, entry permit to Israel and bags with food. We timed the wait – 12 minutes.
Today all permit holders are allowed to enter Israel. The Palestinians say it’s temporary. According to one version, it will last until Passover, and according to another, until 24.4.09.
Children who live south of the checkpoint cross to school in the village. Some have permits they show the soldiers, and some have no papers and go through freely. Here, too, we were told that it will last till the end of the week. By then they’ll have to arrange for permits.
A girl aged about 10 stands waiting on her own about 10 meters from the soldiers, hesitating to advance. We encouraged her, and accompanied her to the entrance. The uncertainty about every step also is upsetting and frightening.
At 07:15, when we left, the line had shortened to 20 people.
'Azzun 'Atma
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'Azzun 'Atma
A Palestinian village of about 1,800 residents. The settlement of Sha'arei Tikva was established on its land adjacent to it, and the settlement of Oranit was established on its agricultural lands. By 2013, the separation fence had passed through the village and a checkpoint staffed by the army allowed the residents to cross from side to side. After building a massive wall surrounding the village and some of its agricultural lands, the residents went daily for five years to their lands that remained in the Seam Zone through the Oranit agricultural checkpoint (4). Since 2018 it has only opened during the olive harvest and the farmers have to pass daily at the Beit Amin / Abu Salman checkpoint (1447), about 3 kilometers north.From a report from March 24, 2021: "The farmers from Beit Amin and Azon Atma are happy that since February 21 the Oranit checkpoint .is going to be open 3 times a day, The farmers are really developing the place."
Report from July 14, 2024: "Ornit checkpoint is closed . The Beit Amin/Abu Salman agricultural checkpoint is closed (there is no contact with the military to check if it opens rarely), the Ezbat Jaloud checkpoint was opened once a day before the war.
Updated for July 2024
Apr-11-2019Azoun: The main entrance to village blocked now for several weeks
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