Tayasir, Hamra, Wednesday, April 5, 2006, PMObservers: Naomi V. , Osnat D. (reporting)13:15 – 15:30Tayasir – 13:15The weather is quite rainy and stormy.Traffic going from the west of the valley towards the east is sparse and fast moving, with the regular drill – drivers stop their vehicles, get off , stand in line, present papers etc.At the checkpoint from east of the valley, two cars are already waiting and are joined by 6 others within 15 minutes. Passage westward (in the direction of the West Bank) is swift and efficient. Perhaps due to the inclement weather, soldiers inspect drivers’ papers inside the cars, which makes the entire process much more bearable.One of the passengers, a 30 year old. is not allowed in. Soldiers explain that there is a new regulation (since a terrorist was detected at the Beka’ot checkpoint, a week ago). Whoever is not a resident of the West Bank and under the age of 30, can not go westward.We left at 14:15 when the inspection post was vacant of vehicles.Hamra – 14:35Traffic moves very slowly.12 cars are waiting to go west to Tubas. Drivers say they’ve been waiting for an hour and a half. The soldiers occupying the checkpoint are from the ultra-Orthodox Nahal unit.Together with us, Lieutenant R. a District Coordination Office officer, arrives at the post (he gets off a bus passing by) and begins inspecting the cars at a quick pace. Within 40 minutes the line is ending, with a full inspection of all papers and a few youngsters who were sent home (for age-related reasons).Here, apparently due to the fact that the rain stopped, there is no easing of inspection, and drivers are requested to get out of their vehicles and stand in line according to regulations. Following the reduction of pressure at the post, the officer approaches us, telling us that he is from the Jericho DCO and was on his way home on that bus. When he saw the long line, he got off the bus to help (it is unclear what would have happened if he hadn’t come). He went on to say that he appreciates our work and waits to hear some productive critique, which the army does not see. He refused to answer questions or provide his telephone number.We left at 15:30 when the checkpoint was empty.