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‘Azzun, Deir Sharaf, Shave Shomron, Mon 24.8.09, Afternoon

Observers: Bilha A. Yonah A.; Natanya translating
Aug-24-2009
| Afternoon

14.45 We crawl behind a long line of cars before the Eliyahu crossing. The passage itself is swift. There is work being done on the road to the east. Tractors and a roller. Part of the surface is roughened over and the blue police direct the traffic. Road 55 is heavy with traffic of Israeli cars and also Palestinian.

15.00 The road to Azzun is blocked with a high pile of rubble. Palestinian cars stand in front of this heap. The other road which goes down to Shave Shomron already reaches Route 60. At the end stand captains and soldier next to the cars.

15.15 We go down to the western side of the barrel checkpoint and go towards the checkpoint. 5 soldiers are standing and chatting under a net shelter. On of them, a reservist, comes up to us and shows us the house at the side of the road and explains that according to the orders we are not allowed to pass the imaginary line which he points out. We asked from where this order came and were told that it was from the brigade. A taxi full of passengers stands at the side and the woman driver walks around outside the car. Cars pass in both directions without being checked. Cars with yellow license plates are not allowed to continue in the direction of Nablus and are forced to go back.

15.30 The taxi which was delayed at the side of the road goes on its way.

A group of workers go down in the direction of Shave Shomron. A taxi waits at the opening of the quarry opposite to take them to Nablus.

In all the areas of the West Banks are coloured signs promoting the sale of a huge pizza which will be sent free of charge to all the Shomron.

  • 'Azzun

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    • 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.

       

  • Deir Sharaf checkpoint

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    • Deir Sharaf checkpoint is located west of Nablus and south of the settlement of Shavei Shomron, at the entrance to the village of Deir Sharaf on the road leading to Nablus. The checkpoint was activated in early March 2009 after the Beit Iba checkpoint was closed. Palestinians are allowed through the checkpoint , but not for Israelis. Unlike the checkpoints leading to Qalqilya and Tulkarm, crossing of Israeli Palestinians is only allowed on Saturdays.

      דיר שאראף - הכניסה לכפר
      Nina Seba
      Feb-28-2024
      Deir Sharaf - the entrance to the village
  • Shave Shomron Checkpoint

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    • The checkpoint is on Route 60 (the main road to the northern West Bank), opposite settlement. Has been blocked to Palestinians since disengagement from Gaza and northern Samaria.
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