Punduk, Sarra, Huwwara North and South, Beit FurikSunday PM, 9.1.05Observers: Noa P., Yehudit B., Naomi L. (reporting)Guests: Miki, Eyal (guest photographer)PundukWe stopped at the voting station of Punduk and met some very friendly people. The voting station was operating calmly and in a holiday atmosphere. The voters proudly showed us the stamp next to their names. Since the photographer asked to be allowed to photograph inside the voting station, he needed a permit. No one complained about interference from the army. We wanted to hear about the family whose son was killed a few months ago during a wedding, shot at while inside a car which he was driving. To our astonishment, we were told that he was guilty of his own death since “Because of fear they told him to stop and he didn’t stop, so they shot at him.” They could have shot at the wheels, we said, and they just nodded. They politely offered us coffee and we, as usual, hurried off to other locations.Sarra13:30 – The Palestinians say that the army informed them that the checkpoint would close, as usual, at 17:00. (Later we reported to the international observers about the closing hour and they hurried over there). We said that it should be at 18:00, but no, at Sarra and Beit Iba the checkpoint will close as usual, according to Winter Time.The checkpoint operated as usual – taxis arriving at the inspection station, the passengers get out and wait for the soldier to nod so they can approach the cement stand, take out their IDs. The taxi is checked when empty, passes through the checkpoint and picks up the passengers further on. Such is the way of the world.Huwwara 13:45 – South – 3 cars are waiting for the regular inspection. In the first car there is a woman with a child around 5 years old, who had been hit by a car; he seems to be either asleep or unconscious. The ask to enter Nablus with their car, but the soldiers say they need an ambulance. But there is no ambulance, and we wait there next to them until they allow the car to enter. Later we met them on the way out. No detainees at the southern checkpoint, people pass freely outside of the turnstiles, the inspection is very fast and careless. Packages are not opened. In the northern checkpoint, the xray truck is in its place and inspects the baggage of those going out.13:56 – At the detainees stand there are 2 youths, waiting for half an hour they say; the checkpoint commander, A., says 10 minutes. After we inquire about them, they are released.14:03 – The checkpoint commander constantly locates “suspicious people” among those going through, and asks them to enter the detention shed; he telephones and receives instructions about whether they should be detained or not. There are some who need a longer inspection, he explains. At the end of the day, he will recite proudly the “loot” of the day: 4 “wanted” people, very dangerous, at Beit Iba, 2 at Huwwara, 2 at Beit Furik, and it isn’t over yet. Do you see why we need the checkpoint here?Beit Furik14:53 – The usual. Friendly reserve soldiers receive us happily. They explain that today the checkpoint will be open after 17;30, because of the elections. There is only light traffic, they cross 2 rows of turnstiles, with electronic detectors between them; take out IDs for inspection and continue on their way. In a conversation with one of the reserve soldiers, he admits that the checkpoint is here for the sake of the settlers. They will finish their duty in another 2 days, and he can’t wait to forget this place. A group of youths under the age of 16 ask to enter Nablus and are refused. They are here since the morning, the soldiers say, trying all the time and not succeeding.Huwwara North14:35 – The driver who brought in the injured child to the hospital now wants to go out (the child is remaining in the hospital with a broken leg), and the soldiers say “without a permit, you can’t go out, how did you get in anyway?” We testified on his behalf and asked them to speak with the soldiers at the southern checkpoint, since they would certainly remember the case. To his good fortune, the soldiers was convinced and let him out.Inspection of those leaving Nablus in their cars is very careful; each car is stopped, every package is opened, the baggage goes through the xray machine.15:00 – 4 “armed people” from the Army spokesman’s office, weapons drawn and cameras on their shoulders, reminisce about the evacuation of the outpost at Izhar, how they sustained blows, how their camera, worth 50,000 NIS, was stolen, how they only had come in order to document the evacuation of 2 sheds and not an attack on the Casbah in Nablus. While they are talking, some women settlers come and bring cakes for the soldiers. They are at the checkpoint to record the free passage, especially of the numerous international observers who are going in and out freely. During our shift, we saw MK Mitzna leave north Huwwara just as we arrived; he said hello and continued on his way.Given the calm atmosphere, we had a conversation with the soldiers. One of them said that, when he was at a course (military police) he had prepared a paper on MachsomWatch and tried unsuccessfully to get the telephone number of someone from the organization in order to interview her for his work. Another soldier spoke about how desirable the Nablus area is among the offices and soldiers, “there you can go into houses, shoot, kill terrorists, catch people at the checkpoints, it’s not boring.” The checkpoint commander didn’t stop trying to assure us: by tomorrow everything will be back to normal, no more concessions, the checkpoint will function “as it ought to.” Checkpoint as usual.