Jubara Thursday afternoon, 29.1.2004 Etti P., Yardena T., Shoshana Z., Ruthie K. (reporting) Despite the horrible attack on the bus in Jerusalem this morning, we did not perceive any unusual strict measures or nervousness (which surprised us). The CP was open and pedestrians moved freely, as did vehicles with permits, to and from Tulkarm. Several illegals [people without residence permits] were detained on the side (see below.)12.30, the Schoolchildren’s Gate:We arrived just as the kids were going through. The military jeep was still there, no problems.Jubara checkpoint:8 detainees, who were caught coming back from working in Israel. Most of them were over 35, except for one who had a job in Netanya: his employer had requested a work permit for him, but as he’s not quite 35, he was not granted it. He was very angry and argued with the soldier on duty, who retorted to him in the same tone.We contacted the IDF Humanitarian Center [dealing with special cases] about the detainees, and also Kamil [at the DCO – IDF Civilian Administration office]. To quote the comment of a Lieutenant, when I asked how long they will be detained: ”It’s better to sit here for hours, than in jail where they really belong.”Eventually about half of them were released before we left at 15.15. Of the others we have no news.Another problem we tried to deal with: an Israeli driver who regularly delivers gas into Tulkarm, but because of the prisoner exchange could not enter through Gate 700, and was referred to the Jubara CP. Here they would not let him through. Again with Kamil’s intercession, he was eventually allowed to pass.On the way back we checked to see what was happening in Tulkarm – it remained closed. We drove to Qalqiliya which was open, but we were told by the local taxi drivers that it had been closed until an hour before, that this happens regularly lately, so that we of MachsomWatch must continue to go there.