Hamra (Beqaot), Ma’ale Efrayim, Tayasir, Za’tara (Tapuah)
The Jordan Valley
– Ten families in Karbala, which is in the northern Jordan Valley, received demolition orders for their encampment today. Because we received the information at the end of the shift, we were unable to visit there and receive more details. We will do that the next time.
– The official entrances to Aqraba village and to Jawarish have been blocked by mounds of stones for three months already, as best my memory serves me, as collective punishment because of an act that some resident did, that was, in the end, not terrible.
Za’tara Checkpoint/ Tapuah Junction, 10:00
Paving work at the junction. There is no unusual army activity. The hitch-hike station in the southern direction is guarded as usual, by soldiers.
Migdalim Settlement
We see groups of caravans in the western part of the ridge that we haven’t seen before. Obviously, new building.
Hamra Checkpoint – 10:30
There are no soldiers and the traffic is flowing in two directions. Also when we returned. There are soldiers in the guard tower.
Tayasir Checkpoint
We didn’t visit but people who live in the area told us that in general, the checkpoint is open and is not manned by the army. Once or twice a week, usually in the morning, soldiers appear and inspect.
A Visit in Halat Makhul
We were told that beginning with the present school year, they are succeeding in sending children from age 4 onward, to nursery school in the city of Tamun. This is thanks to the transportation service that is funded by Salam Fiad, who was the Finance Minister in the Palestinian Authority, and is now a private citizen (and wealthy). He also subsidized solar panels for the residents of the Valley in order to create solar energy. And why was there a need to supply them with special transport? The shortest route to Tamun is less than 10 kilometers but that road is generally permanently blocked with an iron gate (Gochya). The transportation makes a large detour, about 30 kilometers in one direction, through Tayasir and Tubas.We visited also Samara and Maleh.
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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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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