Huwwara, Za’atra, Awarta & Beit FurikMonday, 13.2.06, AMObservers: Ada H., Micky F. (reporting)Another day without any exceptional events of an occupational oppressive routine. A long line of cars coming from Nablus At Zaatra CP. The line moves very slowly until Y. from the DCO arrived.At Hawwara CP 2 taxi drivers are punished and detained. When we called the authorities they were released almost immediately.The soldiers kept trying to restrict our watching areas at Beit Furik as well at Huwwara.07.30 – Zaatra Jnc. – 5 cars waited in line to cross from the west (Rd. # 5). 2 soldiers checking Ids rather quickly.The way from Nablus: dozens of cars waiting and horning. People on a bus complaining for waiting more than an hour and a half. We phoned to the DCO and they promised to send one for help.07.45 – Y. from DCO arrived & controlled one of the car lines, letting people cross quickly. Lines are getting shorter. On the side a group of young Palestinians ordered by 2 soldiers to open their bags on the ground. They are on the way to Nablus to their grandfather’s funeral and were kept waiting for hours. They are aggravated and angry.07.55 Izhar Jnc. – The flying CP has long become permanent. 20 cars waiting in line, no one is detained. 08.10 Beit furik – We are standing behind the carousel far away from the soldiers post to find out from the people whether the limitations were lifted. A soldier named M. approaches us, telling us to move to the hill as we are not allowed to stand in the area of the CP.We inform him we need to carry out our duty as a human right organization and are not disturbing any soldier. The CP commander approaches and we are trying to find out whether the limitation were lifted but he turns his back on us, speaks to Michael and probably contacts the police. We called the DCO that confirms all limitations on Beit Furik were lifted, probably under the influence of the organization’s letter. There are almost no people at the CP. The radio is playing loud hard rock music.08.25 – The drivers at Beit Furik are saying the CP was opened at 05.30 AM and crossing today is reasonable.08.55 Awarta – The truck unloading is reasonable. The drivers ask whether replies were received about their magnetic cards appeal. We called Sara K., who passed 3 names of people who were refused, promising to try and expedite the appeals of the others. R., a truck owner, complains that Beit Furik CP was opened only at 06.15 and insist that the taxi drivers at Beit Furik are not updated. We asked him to notified us in real time about not opening the CP.09.20 Hawwara – WE are going up in the direction of Bracha to observe the car line waiting to cross out of Nablus. We noted a red car to help us note time.The CP commander, U., identifying us from afar, rushes in our direction, instantly warning: “ if you will cross the carousel line you shall be arrested on a criminal offence and leaves.2 MP officers in charge of the MP soldiers whose only assignment is to check papers at the CP, make sure the soldiers will deal fairly with the crossing Palestinians. In case of problems with the MP soldiers we can call to 2nd Lt. I. While Ada still talking with the MP officers, again appears U. and with a high voice warning us again etc. etc….09.25 – Outside the detainee shed 2 taxi drivers . One claiming being detain since 06.30 and the other for an hour. On arrival we saw A., MP soldier, serving coffee to the detainees un the shed. On their side they laud him and N., also from the MP, for the human manners of their treating them, a very unexpected thing against the background of the CP management under U.’s command. Phone call to the DCO with a complaint about the delay and confiscation of keys and Ids forbidden by law. N., from DCO, promised to take care of it.I am observing the cars exiting Nablus. U. stand there talking with a female MP. She shows him the document proscribing delay and advises him not to break the law here to avoid being criminally prosecuted. He ignores it. The car line is the only one, being slowly checked by the female MPs.Pedestrian crossing post – few pedestrians, 2 MPs checking. . The 2 MP officers tel us they are responsible for the MP soldiers and agree to have us approach them with any problems arising. The matter of the detainees is not within their jurisdiction, but under brigade authorities. 09.40 – The detainees were released, possibly the call to the DCO helped. 10.10 – Palestinian Parliament member in his car on the way to the session in Ramalla is requested to turn around and go back. He is from Jenin. Until we managed to find out he left and did not wait for our help. We checked with N. why Parliament members are not allowed through. He said they had to first obtain crossing papers.10.20 – The red car we have noted arrived for checking. It stood an hour at the CP. Within 7 minutes it is checked and crosses.10.35 – We addressed the MP officers asking to expedite the crossing of the exiting cars. They called another MP and an additional line of crossing cars was set up. In parallel we noted the pedestrian line lengthened and it seemed about a hundred of them were waiting. U. opened another checking line for women and the elderly.The dog handler checks a taxi with elderly passengers and a chair is brought for a women having difficulty standing. We asked why pick a car with elderly passengers and received the Mantra reply: Security alert, unknown person. The female MP asks whether there is food or a Kuraan in the car.Interestingly later on a regular car is checked, but who are we to question the army’s mantra.10.45 – A car with day old chicks is asking to cross the Hawwara CP. The driver has a crossing permit but the soldiers send him to the Awarta CP. Ada tries speaking with the DCO and they are wiling to check and try to have him cross but the driver is afraid the chiciks will die if he waits too long and rushes to Awarta. 11.00 – We are leaving. U. sends a soldier after us, and he came to me asking for my ID card claiming I have crossed the line. I respectfully decline. He comes near Ada’s car noting it’s number of registration. These soldiers never tried playing police and revenge games with us.