Tarqumiya
A visit to the village.
The Palestinian town was bustling when we visited. Many cars were on the streets, many people walking along the sidewalks and entering the stores. The buildings seem to be well-built and well-maintained.
Conditions here are in sharp contrast to other places we’ve visited, whose distress and poverty are undeniable. We stopped for a bite at “The King of Falafel,” a small restaurant. The owners and customers welcomed us, surprised and pleased at our visit. They had many questions about our badge and Machsom Watch.
We met the owner of a new minimarket that opened recently, proud and happy to show us his new business. M., our driver, Raya and Ronit know him. His grocery is opposite Azzam’s metal shop; they were very glad to see each other.
Nothing unusual occurred. The atmosphere throughout our shift was positive, optimistic. Everything seemed so simple, so natural… why, then, is the dream/peace only receding?
Tarqumiya CP
See all reports for this place-
The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in special cases. MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers. The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank. Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’. This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’. updated November 2019
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