Beit Furik, Hawwara, Saturday 19.11.05 AMWatchers: Nurit L., Vivi Z., Hana B. (reporting)Translation: NatanyaOn the way from Jerusalem to Hawarra 3 checkpints. 19 cars at Shaar Beyamin nad 16 at Tapuach and some cars at the crossroads of Itzhar. Think of the number of people involved in this and the hatred that is generated. Therefore the position of ‘Down with the occupation” and “Down with the checkpoints” must continue and we must be encouraged to bring this to the notice of the Israeli people. Beit Furik -cars and people passed swiftly. It seems that there are fewer people going through. Why? We were embarrassed when taxi drivers told us that everything was great….how can that be so at such a place?Hawwara – A steady movement of people coming and going, taking about 20 minut4es. The checking is done carefully. Coats are opened and the soldiers check pockets, back and front carefully with their hands. Later we understand why. There are many cars being checked but the checking is quicker than we have seen in the past. At the x-ray there is still no table and the person who is not quick will find his belongings on the floor. The dog is in the car with his services not required and the checkpoint dog has disappeared. The “short” list is on the table next to the computer but the rest of the soldiers also have a copy. The commander is polite, efficient and involved effectively in everything that is happening. His presence acted positively on the checkpoint. A pleasant and helpful DCO representative but who does not speak Arabic. It seemed that there was no one there who did but we could not be sure of this.Switchblades. The checking by hand was not routine and suddenly a young man was found to have a switchblade. He was taken to the isolation where he stripped both pants, shirt and shoes,. He confirmed when asked that he had a friend with him and this man was also caught and a switchblade and hamas slogans were found on him. They refused to be questioned by the soldiers and demanded to only answer questions of the Secret Service. They then had to give details about themselves on the phone. To us they just kept replying that their destination had been the checkpoint. The whole situation was strange and one wonders if the soldiers had a previous warning. How come that nearly every day a young boy with a knife. Bullets, etc is caught at this checkpoint. Who sends them?Remarks ablout the behavior of the soldiers. The atmosphere for the most part was decent but the MP S. stuck out with his vulgar behavior. He first tried to start with us….”forbidden to photograph, forbidden to stand her, this is my checkpoint” but backed down when we confronted him. When a red Cross vehicle came past a soldier asked “Is this humanitarian? ” and his cultured answer was “Humanitarian my prick!” When two young girls tried to pass out of line he went to check out what was happening and when a woman soldier told him that being women they were her business he said “They are mine,” For most of the time he was trying to “educate” the drivers. We complained to the commander but who knows it if will help. The women soldiers were ruder than their male counterparts and they are well known to us and their behavior deteriorates as time goes by.The police of dreams. The soldiers confiscated fliers with Arafat on them on which were written “We will follow your path” and signed by a social group. We were told “They are still dreaming of Arafat” and we asked if it were Sharon that they should be dreaming of.We realized that the chiseled stones were returned to the owner and replaced by other stones probably found in the area.