We went out to do two mitzvahs:  to deliver a package to ‘A, our friend from Azzun, and to buy a jerrycan of olive oil from M. from T’ulah.

Azzun is still closed and enclosed.  Because of the new roundabout built at the entrance?  What does the Occupier intend to build there for the sake of the settlers?  And why do the residents of Azzun have to pay the price??

The checkpoint with the yellow arms was actually open;  2 soldiers guard in the guard towers, but Z. requested that we not meet there, but rather closer to the gas station at the point where Nebi Elias and Izbat Tabib meet. We stopped next to the car wash with the optimistic name “Peace Wash”.

Roni immediately met a friend from Azzun  Atmeh and exchanged phone numbers with him

Z. arrived first, and we transferred the packages to his vehicle.  We were pleased to meet M. from T’ulah.  He had an excellent olive crop this year and he has plenty of olive oil.  He is willing to sell to any shops in Israel.  His son lives in the Emirates and he and his wife travel to visit him with several jerrycans.  To his health!

We finished this mission and traveled to the nursery of ‘A. in Habla.  As usual, he was full of stories.  At the checkpoint there are reserve soldiers, but the trouble is with the officers who speak rudely.  He asked for permits for his workers in the nursery.  He signed off as responsible for all the workers for whom he requested permits.  The permit of one of the workers expired and they confiscated the old one at the checkpoint even though he had requested a renewal from the Palestinian coordinating office 2 weeks before the permit expired.  Now ‘A. has to go every day and ask for the permit at the Palestinian coordinating office.  They send the request to the Israeli coordinating office from which ‘A. receives a one-day permit for the worker.  This he must do every day.  Bureaucracy has a good time!  He is proud of his son who is studying medical technology in Jenin.

13:30.  We arrived at the Habla checkpoint.  The checkpoint was supposed to open at 13:30.  However, at 13:40 the soldiers there were still waiting for the officers who were late.  I called the coordinating office at Qalqilya and the man who answered the phone simply hung up.  Apparently, he was told not to reveal military secrets.

At 13:48 they arrived and stood with guns pointed at the Palestinians.  The checkpoint opened.  First, those entering went through: 4 vehicles and 15 pedestrians.  Those going out:  about 15 vehicles and a small number of pedestrians.

At 14:04 they locked the gates and closed the checkpoint.  Most of the people waiting for the opening of the checkpoint are hesitant about being photographed, but there was one guy who was brave and smiled happily for the camera.

Final stop in Jaffa to deliver the jerrycans to the supermarket owner.