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Hamra, Tayasir, Wed 19.12.07, Afternoon

Place: Hamra (Beqaot) Tayasir CP
Tags: Arbitrariness, e.g. an arbitrary decision Children
Observers: Anina K., Yehudit H.
Dec-19-2007
| Afternoon

Guests: Rachel, David, Tali

13:00 Tayasir Checkpoint

A terrible volley of gunfire greets us. There is intensive activity at the firing range close to the checkpoint.
The checkpoint itself is completely free of cars. After 10 minutes two cars pass in the direction of Tayasir (West Bank) without any checking. A few minutes later some cars come from the other directions, and are checked meticulously. People are mostly dressed for the festival, and we wish them a happy holiday as they pass.
The soldiers ignore our presence.
The firing continues; we leave for Hamra.

14:00 Hamra Checkpoint

Many people at the checkpoint, especially women and children, all on their way to visit family (Eid el-Adha). One person tells us about the difficulties in passing with the children. Others say that everything is okay.
14:40 – when the soldiers see the gathering around us and the conversations between us and the Palestinians, they close the checkpoint. A few minutes later, a man who did cross tells us that the closure is due to us.
West of the checkpoint, a long line of cars, up to the horizon. While we still wonder about that announcement, another Palestinian "messenger" arrives to tell us to move away, or the checkpoint will remain closed. We move off a way, but it is not enough and, after ten minutes, a soldier (B.) arrives to announce dogmatically that he is responsible for us, and therefore we are to stand behind the concrete partitions on the road from Jiftlik, or 150 yards from the checkpoint. Our requests were of no avail, nor did our complaints help, and indeed after we moved the checkpoint opened in both directions.
In future we will come equipped with certification that it is forbidden to close a checkpoint because of our presence.
The visitors were shocked by everything that they have seen…
15:30 – we leave.

  • Hamra (Beqaot)

    See all reports for this place
    •  

      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.

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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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