Huwarra, Sarra, Beit Furik, 29 March 2005Watchers: Yael P., Ninette B., reporting: Dina A.07:50Tapuach Junction roadblock. 8 cars from both directions. No particular delays, mostly lorries whose documents are being checked.08:20Southern roadblock not staffed, and people cross from south to north with almost no hindrance. Once in a while someone is called out and asked to show their documents.All vehicles are checked by two soldiers efficiently and quickly. Two cars are sent back. I ask why and the answer is that they are carrying goods and are not permitted to cross at Huwarra. A bus is allowed to cross, he has all the correct permits, the passengers alight, their papers are checked and they go to Nablus.At the Northern roadblock traffic is light, according to the soldiers about 700 relatives crossed at 03:00 to visit prisoners, some knives were found but everyone was allowed through.Very few leave Nablus today.When we arrive, B. the roadblock commander, who is efficient and pleasant, shows us some cargo found this morning in one of the vehicles.Two 17 year-olds are detained, their papers are checked, the answer comes back quickly, one is allowed to cross the other is sent back to Nablus.A young boy, a chess player together with the culture manager and two more companions try to leave Nablus, the boy has a game to play. Because he is 14 years old he can’t cross without his parents. With his escort’s stubbornness and the intervention of the roadblock commander, who tries to help, the boy shows a document in Arabic. Our Nadim translates it, it’s the boy’s birth certificate and at last he is allowed to pass and everyone is happy.Two women with blue I.D. cards are held up, and A. the DCO rep., explains to them that they are not allowed to enter Nablus and if they try again they will have to pay a heavy fine.The x-ray machine is working and every bag and parcel is checked.At about 10:00 we left for Beit Furik. The roadblock is empty except for out-of-work soldiers.We drove to Sarara. Down the road there is a barrier with a hand written sign saying No Entry. As we stand there wondering if we should go on, a U.N. car arrives, a driver and a ‘children rights’ worker who is also touring roadblocks. She takes down the barrier without a problem and goes on up, after a few minutes she is back reporting that there are no soldiers and no people.As we stand and talk an army jeep arrives, a Major admonishes us for being there.There is no roadblock on our way back. The entrance to the village of Barta is blocked again by an earth embankment.