Morning: Around 70
people waiting at any given moment. Long waiting time. Only Nablus
residents are permitted passage. 7 people are detained for hours in
the sun. Medical cases are disregarded. The checkpoint is
“closed” frequently, altogether for as long as an hour
during the shift. Quote (referring to a 50 year old man::
“Ran, take this thing back.” Noteworthy: Open and vocal
disagreement between soldiers, who send people back after they had
been “cleared” by DCO officers.

Afternoon: Still about 70 people at the checkpoint at any
given moment, sometimes a hundred. Minimum waiting time — one
hour. People are going back home after a week stay around their
work places, some in settlements. Non-Nablus residents are still
not permitted passage. Anectode: On our way back on route 55, we
stop at the entrance of the village Azun. The usual mound of rubble
was replaced by a formal metal bar. Behind it are many taxis and
other cars. In front of it — a police jeep and policemen checking
residents’ papers. A young bride and her entourage are on their way
to the wedding — on the other side of the gate. They succeed in
halting one of the officers just as he was closing the passage.
They start pleading with him on behalf of the bride. He says she
cannot pass. This goes on. Long minutes pass, and we all become
pretty desparate. Then we hear the jeep’s door slam, it turn around
and takes off hastily. As soon as it disappears, the gatebar is
turned, the entrance cleared and the long line of cars and taxis
starts streaming out happily…