Huwwara, Awarta, Beit FurikTuesday PM, 04.01.05Observers: Miri K., Ma’anit S., Adiva G., Liat H., Esti Tz. (reporting)Checkpoint closes at 5:30 PM14:25 – DCO, NablusThe DCO is closed! There is an Arabic notice on the gate, announcing that the DCO is closed for 3 months, from 24.12.04 (from now on, all requests must be referred to the Palestinian DCO). On the other side of the fence outside the DCO is a pile of building blocks and other construction materials. The blue sign “Nablus DCO” has been removed and is on the ground, next to the blocks. The DCO is ready for massive renovations. At the entrance there are 3 men waiting. One came with his relative, a farmer who was attacked, and they want to register a complaint. They asked to see a policeman and give testimony, so they were invited here and have been waiting since 12 noon. In addition, a taxi driver whose passengers are already inside the DCO – according to the driver, they are Arab diplomats, perhaps they were observers and this is something connected to Sunday’s elections. We saw them come out, but didn’t have a chance to talk with them, they were in a great hurry. Back to the previous farmer and his relative – both from Hares. The younger one, about 25, was tilling the ground near highway #5, at the junction after Kitai, in the direction of Barkan. He says that a group of 5 men, 3 of them soldiers in civilian clothing and two in uniform, were in a jeep with yellow license plates and attacked him and beat him with all their strength. We saw that he had a black and swollen eye. He complained of headaches. In the evening, I contacted them to find out if they had in fact seen a policeman and registered their complaint. They said that no one came out and called them, even though they were invited to give testimony; they left at about 16:30. That is to say, a person who is attacked by members of the Israeli security forces, while tilling his plot of ground, has no way to register a complaint, even when he is determined to do so. They gave him to understand that there was no problem “Go to the DCO! Even though it is closed, you will see a policeman there!” But there wasn’t.Awarta11 trucks are waiting on the southern side. The line isn’t moving! The drivers are at a loss, they have already been standing there for 2 hours. Also the other passage is totally jammed! We entered the back-to-back area, on the side of Cfar Clil, next to Balata Camp, where there was a huge line. 5 soldiers in the position. A huge back-up of trucks, more than 30. A caravan of trucks arrived with many gas cannisters – which really put pressure on the soldiers, who wanted to inspect even more carefully and were careful to call over only one truck at a time. So the huge line was formed. What can 5 young soldiers really do with so many gas trucks and Palestinian drivers waiting outside their vehicles?Beit FurikThe checkpoint is quiet. One detainee without a permit waiting for inspection. 6 soldiers at the checkpoint. Not many customers. On the way back, next to the snack bar of the settlers from Alon Moreh, “My Brother is a Hero”, we met a journalist from “Yediot Aharonot” who had come to cover the trial of the disengagement refusenik from Yitzhar at the Shomron Command.Huwwara3 computers and 4 turnstiles, all operating. No detainees, no DCO officer. Once in a while documents are inspected. The “gromen ” stands across the pedestrian artery, a couple of meters south of the checkpoint, vacuums in and spits out bags, purses, suitcases. This is the famous x-ray machine. Someone watching from the side see people who have already passed through the northern checkpoint, passed through the computer and the turnstile inspection, hurrying in the direction of the “gromen”, some alone and some with their young or older family members, piling up their hand baggage – purses, suitcases, bags, within the yawning mouth on one side and hurrying around it to the other side in order to catch their precious possessions, which often fall and scatter on the ground. Today, while we were present, there was no soldier standing there and supervising the x-ray machine. When I ask what this was all about, if no one is actually checking what goes through, why simply bother all these people for nothing? I was told not to worry, there is a computer which “sees everything”!…. just another obstacle on the way to Huwwara South. Also there an inspection station awaits them, a few dozen meters to the south. From now on, we are told, the “gromen” is permanently at Huwwara. This is another improvement on top of so many improvements which never improve the lives of those passing through a bit. They will continue to undergo humiliation, waste of time, while the settlers live their normal lives all around, etc. When we asked the checkpoint commander why the checkpoint closes at 17:30, he answers “It’s already dark and there is no reason to hang around outside. What business do they have here in the dark?”