Hamra (Beqaot), Jordan Valley, Ma'ale Efrayim, Tayasir, Za'tara (Tapuah)
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, a new illegal outpost was established inside a deserted army base (empty for the past 4 years) next to Tyassir Checkpoint.
On Friday we received a phone call from a local inhabitant who told us that a new illegal outpost has been established right next to this checkpoint. Today we came there and entered the deserted army base. We saw 4 vehicles parked there, one of which was a pickup truck.
Two dogs charged us. Then someone approached to get the dogs away. The man and his female partner, next to a small camping tent and car, told us they were guests staying for the Sabbath, in order to “encourage the settlers on the spot”. We said we were looking for a restroom and they pointed us to one of the structures that has been turned into a toilet (without connection to water and sewage pipes). The other vehicles stood next to a structure further down, apparently serving as a dwelling.
Someone else then approached and must have suspected us, so we left.
We did not wish to arouse suspicion and have a confrontation so we photographed very little, of minor worth.
These settler-colonists are known to posses cattle. Obviously this cattle will graze in the area, and thus prevent the Palestinian shepherds from grazing theirs in the same grazing grounds.
Obviously the outpost, in addition to being illegal since it has not been approved anywhere, is also in fact a violation of the law because the settler-colonists are invading army property and dispossessing structures built by the Israeli army. If the checkpoint and watchtower have been manned since Thursday, the soldiers could not have missed seeing the goings-on in the base that less than 10 meters away.
On Friday, February 23, 2018, I spoke with the Jericho DCO’s infrastructures officer and asked if he knew that a new settler-colony has taken root by the checkpoint. He said he had heard nothing about it, and asked me to send him photos and the exact location, without these he would not check.
Tomorrow, Sunday February 25, at 11 a.m., a protest demonstration of local inhabitants will take place near the checkpoint.
Hamra (Beqaot)
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One of the Jordan Rift Valley checkpoints that prevent direct transit between the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, in addition to Tayasir Checkpoint. Located next to Hamra settlement, on Route 57 and the Allon Road.
Read about the peple of the Jordan Valley and the quiet transfer happening there.
Shahar ShilohNov-3-2021Ein Shibli: grazing begins close to home
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Jordan Valley
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Jordan Valley The Jordan Valley is the eastern strip of the West Bank. Its area consists of almost a third of the West Bank area. About 10,000 settlers live there, about 65,000 Palestinian residents in the villages and towns. In addition, about 15,000 are scattered in small shepherd communities. These communities are living in severe distress because of two types of harassment: the military declaring some of their living areas, as fire zones, evicting them for long hours from their residence to the scorching heat of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter. The other type is abuse by rioters who cling to the grazing areas of the shepherd communities, and the declared fire areas (without being deported). The many groundwaters in the Jordan Valley belong to Mekorot and are not available to Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians bring water to their needs in high-cost followers.
Nurit PopperDec-16-2027Nurit is threatened by settlers from close range.
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Ma'ale Efrayim
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Ma'ale Efrayim On the road connecting Route 90 (the Jordan Valley road) to the Allon Road.
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Tayasir CP
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Located on road 5799, It is one of the checkpoints control the passage between the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley. For a long time, it stood empty and open, with only a sign next to it warning against entering Area A. It was adjacent to an old military camp - now everything is neglected. How much money was invested here, and how much brainwashing was done to the soldiers of Netzah Yehuda and Kfir.
Today, it is very difficult to pass there. Many delays. Often, teachers from Tubas are not allowed to pass into the Valley to villages like Ein al-Bida where the local schools are located, and there are no classes. There are additional days when the checkpoint is closed. In general, there is a wait there of about two to four hours to go towards the Valley and also to return. Many times the Palestinians are forced to use the Hamra checkpoint, which also leads into Tubas and the West Bank, but there is also a huge queue there and a long wait.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the nearby base in February 2025, the checkpoint was completely closed for the time being. (Updated March 2025)
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Za'tara (Tapuah)
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Za'tara (Tapuah) Za'tara is an internal checkpoint in the heart of the West Bank, at the intersection of Road 60 and Road 505 (Trans-Samaria), east of the Tapuah settlement. This checkpoint is the "border" marked by the IDF between the north and south of the West Bank, in accordance with the policy of separation between the two parts of the West Bank that has been in place since December 2005. At the Za'tara checkpoint, there are separate routes for Israelis and Palestinians. In the route for Israelis, there are no inspections and the route for Palestinians inspects. The queue lengthens and shortens suits. The checkpoint is open 24 hours a day. The checkpoint is partially staffed and the people who pass through it are checked at random.
Shoshi AnbarSep-27-2023Za'atra (Tapuah Intersection). Signs
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