Ma’ale Efrayim, Shomron Crossing, Tayasir, Wed 9.3.11, Afternoon
Natanya translating.
13.30 The Shomron crossing. The traffic flows and so also at the crossroads of Za’tara/Tapuach in all directions. The rain pours down and the wind is strong and there are hailstorms all the way up to Ma’aleh Ephraim and the Jordan valley.
14.30 The checkpoint of Ma’ale Ephrayim does not seem to be manned. The valley is green. There is little traffic except for taxis and trucks in both directions.
15.30 The checkpoint of Tayasir. In the direction of Tubas are two trucks and cars. The drivers wait for the sign and go through. In the direction of the Jordan valley people alight from the cars and are checked. A taxi waits for passengers who are being checked. One of them describes with his hands how his belt is checked. A Palestinian driver who waits for his passengers comes up to us. “Now it is OK. In the morning there were problems. Yesterday afternoon I waited an hour and a half. Today the soldiers are good. If the soldier is good there are no problems. If the soldier is bad it is hard. If they see that I am talking to you they make problems for me”. A short distance away a soldier speaks in a friendly way to a Palestinian and shakes his hand as they part (this is not a usual phenomenon). When we come closer to hear the conversation we see a young captain with the face of a boy. He says that in the morning and afternoon buses go through with pupils and teachers and are not checked. He says that the buses come from the direction of Nablus. They are only delayed “when there are things that should not be. Then there is nothing to be done and they must wait a long time.”Not long ago they caught hunters with rifles. “That is as if I would wander round Tel Aviv with my rifle.” ( Truly a rare sight). Karin again remarks as always on the paradox revealed between the red sign which says that this is Area A which is forbidden to Israelis and the presence of soldiers inside the area.
16.30 Checkpoint of Hamra/Beqaot when we go back. There is nothing worthy of note except for the fact that the journey takes place on occupied land.
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Ma'ale Efrayim
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Ma'ale Efrayim On the road connecting Route 90 (the Jordan Valley road) to the Allon Road.
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Shomron Crossing
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Shomron Crossing The Shomron checkpoint for vehicles. is located east of Rosh HaAyin and Kafr Qassem, on Road 5 (Trans-Samaria) leading to Ariel and the Za'atara junction. It is intended for blue ID cardholders, foreign guests or diplomats, and international organizations only. In 2009 the management was entrusted to a civil security company.
Ronit Dahan-RamatiAug-21-2025Highway 505: Salute to the Hilltop Youth
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Tayasir CP
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Located on road 5799, It is one of the checkpoints control the passage between the northern West Bank and the Jordan Valley. For a long time, it stood empty and open, with only a sign next to it warning against entering Area A. It was adjacent to an old military camp - now everything is neglected. How much money was invested here, and how much brainwashing was done to the soldiers of Netzah Yehuda and Kfir.
Today, it is very difficult to pass there. Many delays. Often, teachers from Tubas are not allowed to pass into the Valley to villages like Ein al-Bida where the local schools are located, and there are no classes. There are additional days when the checkpoint is closed. In general, there is a wait there of about two to four hours to go towards the Valley and also to return. Many times the Palestinians are forced to use the Hamra checkpoint, which also leads into Tubas and the West Bank, but there is also a huge queue there and a long wait.
Following a deadly attack on soldiers at the nearby base in February 2025, the checkpoint was completely closed for the time being. (Updated March 2025)
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