Hawwara,wednesday 27.4.05 pmObservers: Debra L., Nitsa G., Amira E. (reporting)(Paula – translating).13:40-14:00 -Tapuach junction: A line of 18 vehicles. We measured 22 minutes of checking a vehicle. Yizhar junction: a flying checkpoint: 12 vehicles lined up. It took 9 minutes to pass. To our question to the reason of the checkpoint, we were answered, that they got a warning of a suicide bomber with an explosive belt, on his way from Nablus, via Ramallah to Jerusalem.Hawwara – The proceeding was very slow, especially with the line of vehicles that were on their way into Nablus. A. the commander, explained that it was due to a shortage of personnel. Another soldier said that some of the soldiers had to man other checkpoints.The line of the humanitarian checkpoint kept moving, but as there was no soldier at the checkpoint of the coming-ins, the pace was very slow.Debra contacted the DCO, the Humanitarian center and Ra’ad and Niza from the army’s Spokesman, and complained about the lack of manpower that causes suffering to the people waiting for so long, but to no avail. At some point captain G. came to have a look, but nothing changed.14:40 – When we came, there were no detainees. The queues line up in waves, especially with students returning from university. Only two check stations are manned. A soldier, B. with a pointed rifle stood there, in a crazy mood: “The men of Nablus are all rapists and killers. A notable person said it to me himself. They have no police”. So, he catches everyone who jumps from the line and pens him up. He curses and even spits in his fury and contempt at them. We complain on him, and try to calm him. After another complaint, A. an officer of the DCO comes, and B. is replaced. Now he checks the vehicles that enter Nablus.15:24 – An Israeli car bypasses the queue of incomers. Two religious young men, in civilian, jump out of the car and hug the commander of the checkpoint and go back. Another settler, who rides to Bracha, cries to “Ain” – “Achi” [my brother]. 15:30 – Some students jump over the carousel. They are detained, as a means of punishment. There are now 8 detainees. One of them arrived with two of his little brothers, aged 2 and 3. He gets a bombardment of swearwords and is almost spit. Now he is in the pen. In the meantime B. is replaced but the student with his little brothers are not released. “They are detainees of the Shabak”. They were detained for an hour and three quarters, although “Ain” ordered their release as soon as the Shabak gives its permission. The others are detained for approx. three quarters of an hour.One of the detained guys that jumped accompanied his mother in an ambulance on her way to a heart operation in Sha’arei Zion. He was taken out of the ambulance and had to stand in line. He was anxious to join his mother as soon as possible so he tried to jump over. “Ain”, by our intervention, suggested to him to make another turn and cross through the Humanitarian line.Two of those that jumped are caught and sent back to the line. Time of checking: – 30 minutes.One soldier, who inspects the bags, shouts and pushes the students to line. He pushes one of them with the butt of a rifle.A Christian woman crosses the checkpoint. She is very stressed and worried whether her son will be allowed to cross. He is 19 years old and has a special permit. They are on their way to celebrate the second day of Easter. She holds our hands to show how frightened she is and cries. The son succeeds and passes through.16:40 – A woman with three children are in the line out of Nablus. She has a blue ID. She is a resident of east-Jerusalem. They are detained till the blue police will arrive. The woman weeps, and so are her daughters. She says that since the beginning of the Intifada she has left Nablus. But her mother is ill, and so decided to go out. Now she considers returning back for she fears that she will miss the bus across the checkpoint. We do our best and ask the officer to hasten the police. “The blue police is not under my command”, he retorts. After 45 minutes the police arrives. After long discussions and warnings and filling of endless forms, they are allowed to cross. All that time, a soldier was present, instead of checking the passers, who keep lining up.17:20 – Back.Yizhar junction: still blocked.Tapuach junction: 35 vehicles in line. They have been checked already at the other checkpoints. We phoned the DCO about it and to Yoni from the Spokesman of Zahal.A flying checkpoint by the village Merida. No detains.