Huwwara, Beit Furik, Za’atara Jnc. Monday 24.4.2006 PMObservers: Macky S. Merav A. (reporting)Natanya translating.Observations on the road on a cold and stormy day. Highest alert at Za’atara and Beit Furik. “Because there is a hot warning that at this very moment a attack will be made from Nablus.” But at Huwarra they “grin”, there is no special alert, the atmosphere is even relaxed in comparison maybe because of the rain which is soaking all, conqueror and conquered.13.15 -The gate to Marda is open and also that at Zeita.13.20 CP at Za’atara crossroads. 21 cars from the west whose drivers have been ordered to stop 20 metres away from the soldiers, to leave their cars in the rain and bring their ids to the soldiers. Because of the rain the soldiers give out their orders by using hand signals, bring the car forward. Stop, get out and bring the id, walk faster, walk slower, go back to car and stay there.The checking is very slow. The soldiers tell us that they are the boss, they will decide who goes through and who does not. We spoke to the spokesman of the brigade and the DCO who say they will check but because of the alert the orders have been given for very careful checking.13.45 – We go to see what is happening on the other side of the checkpoint and find that it is completely closed. All checking has been stopped because of the high alert. It is not clear what is the logic of this. Maybe they think that if they delay the checking the hot alert will cool down. About 50 cars are waiting and even cars with yellow license plates are being checked and this causes a traffic jam even for the lords of the land. A car with yellow license plates and two people with foreign passports is sent back but we do not know why. The soldiers are tense and hostile.13.56 Huwwarra CP. Two cars only. A soldier stops a 10 year old girl and checks her satchel.14.05 Beit Furik. Very little movement, no limitations and everyone passes. The commander tries to get rid of us politely “There is a hot alert now coming out of Nablus.”14.20 Awarta, traders CP. A few trucks with their goods being passed over back to back and about 10 waiting to enter Nablus. The soldiers have stopped all checking and gone to their observations post. 20 minutes later they return.14.30 Hawarra checkpoint. A few cars at the entrance to Nablus are quickly checked and so also the pedestrians.Limitations of movement. Residents of Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarm aged 16-30 cannot leave Nablus through Hawarra.we asked the commander M. what about the alert and he grins. There is no such thing. The confusion at the checkpoints as to the alert causes us to wonder if the right hand of the army knows what the left hand is doing (possible) or that the local commanders make their own rules (even more possible).The rain causes a fuse the in the broadcasting system and every few minutes an alarm goes off which deafens our ears. After about half an hour the system is mended.Because of the rain the post of the Military police has been moved to the centre of the checkpoint, where the bodily checking takes place and this speeds up the process and the people do not have to stand twice in lines . But there is pressure in the men’s lane. The women’s lane opens and closes. Old people time and again try to find some mercy, maybe because of the driving rain. Maybe they will be allowed to pass on the road and not stand in the line but they are sent back by the soldiers. So also a man of 38 loaded with parcels of fruit who tries to pass in the line of those 40 years of age and over. But the soldiers will not allow him to pass.Only a few people try to find refuge from the rain in the hut but most prefer to get wet and not to stay in the area of the checkpoint.15.55 Huwwarra Jnc. CP 37 cars. 3 young men are sent back because of limitations of age.16.15 Za’atara Jnc. CP 12 cars from the north. Two checking points. From the west a line of 35 cars and the checking is slow. Some of the passengers try to pass on foot so as to speed up the process.