Summaries
The Periodic Summaries are a precis of noteworthy events, and of the checkpoints routine, as seen at each of the checkpoints during the past month. Over the course of the occupation years, the IDF and the Civil Administration have succeeded in almost completely canceling the spontaneous movement of the Palestinians in the West Bank, and almost the only ones to arrive at the checkpoints are those who hold valid transit permits. These permits were for the most part obtained by way of deliberate bureaucratic travails and difficulties. The Palestinian's immense difficulties in making a living, and surviving under the heavy burden of the Occupation are reflected in our daily reports and periodic summaries.
Etzion DCL, Sun 16.9.07, Afternoon
15.30
A very short shift - only four people were in the DCL. Three of them were waiting for the GSS and one who was trying to ascertain the place of arrest of his brother.
There was no queue for magnetic cards but we were told that during the morning about 40 people came to ask for them and they were admitted without numbers. One person who asked for a permit was given a note telling him to come back the next day.
We managed to verify that the detained brother was in fact in the Etzion complex; for this we had to go to the police station and make several phone calls to various army offices. People who had been waiting for the GSS were admitted but then asked to come again
'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Mon 10.9.07, Morning
Anabta 10.10
A shift that started with no special events ended badly.
No queue at the entrance to Anabta, and at the exit too there are only two cars. No inspections but the cars are delayed nevertheless because of the uncertainty and the fear of passing without that waive of the hand...
10.30
On the way out we dally by the fig and prickly pear seller and await there for him to peel a prickly pear for us. While there we notice that at the entrance to Anabta a very long queue gathered, that soon reached the bend (about 30 cars). We decide to go back to the checkpoint and check what is going on. On our way to the checkpoint an Israeli car that of course had not waited in the queue at the checkpoint, passes us. There are 3 women in it who, when they saw us, stop within the road block area and park there. They stormed out of their car and ran towards us swearing and cursing us. The Blue and White women arrived!!! the infamous Rika accompanied this time by two other women. They jumped on us and physically pushed us away from the checkpoint. They got very very near us waived their hands in our faces and screamed sentences such as: "How many children have you murdered today?" and other words I simply cannot repeat. All along a Hummer with soldiers was driving slowly, accompnying them. In answer to my rhetorical question if they can protect us, they said that they were there to protect us from the Palestinians, not the Jews, and apart from that, they were not the police. Osnat managed to photograph only their stormy arrival. We did not wish them to 'accompany' us to our car which we had left by the fig seller. And crazy Rika who today was a little less crazy than her friend was surprised when I agreed to write in my report that "Rika from Blue and White says that when we arrive we endanger the soldiers." She of course did not see the ridiculous in it. They left us screaming abuse that cannot be repeated.
This event was shocking and scary, not only because of the terrible curses that we had heard before but also because we felt that one wrong move and they would attack us physically, and that they are so crazy there is no telling what they would do next.
11.15
We crossed through the children's gate in Jubara. An inspection of the bags of two guys (probably illegals) that is done on the ground with weapons pointed at them.
A'ras
No queue and no inspections, just a question here and there.
The road block commander is asking us to stand behind the reinforced concrete boulders but we refuse. He does not understand why, is it not for our own protection... He claims that it is an order of the brigade commander who " is of course known for his good relationship with us". We answer that we are allowed to stand anywhere as long as we do not disturb the soldiers, and that we do not want nor need his protection. He takes vent of his anger and frustration on the Palestinians of course. A driver from Jubara who normally passes without standing in the queue receives an educative lecture. Obviously, a queue is building up.
11.45
The driver is released, the queue evaporates and we are on our way home...
'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Mon 10.9.07, Morning
Anabta 10.10
A shift that started with no special events ended badly.
No queue at the entrance to Anabta, and at the exit too there are only two cars. No inspections but the cars are delayed nevertheless because of the uncertainty and the fear of passing without that waive of the hand...
10.30
On the way out we dally by the fig and prickly pear seller and await there for him to peel a prickly pear for us. While there we notice that at the entrance to Anabta a very long queue gathered, that soon reached the bend (about 30 cars). We decide to go back to the checkpoint and check what is going on. On our way to the checkpoint an Israeli car that of course had not waited in the queue at the checkpoint, passes us. There are 3 women in it who, when they saw us, stop within the road block area and park there. They stormed out of their car and ran towards us swearing and cursing us. The Blue and White women arrived!!! the infamous Rika accompanied this time by two other women. They jumped on us and physically pushed us away from the checkpoint. They got very very near us waived their hands in our faces and screamed sentences such as: "How many children have you murdered today?" and other words I simply cannot repeat. All along a Hummer with soldiers was driving slowly, accompanying them. In answer to my rhetorical question if they can protect us, they said that they were there to protect us from the Palestinians, not the Jews, and apart from that, they were not the police. Osnat managed to photograph only their stormy arrival. We did not wish them to 'accompany' us to our car which we had left by the fig seller. And crazy Rika who today was a little less crazy than her friend was surprised when I agreed to write in my report that "Rika from Blue and White says that when we arrive we endanger the soldiers." She of course did not see the ridiculous in it. They left us screaming abuse that cannot be repeated.
This event was shocking and scary, not only because of the terrible curses that we had heard before but also because we felt that one wrong move and they would attack us physically, and that they are so crazy there is no telling what they would do next.
11.15
We crossed through the children's gate in Jubara. An inspection of the bags of two guys (probably illegals) that is done on the ground with weapons pointed at them.
A'Ras
No queue and no inspections, just a question here and there.
The road block commander is asking us to stand behind the reinforced concrete boulders but we refuse. He does not understand why, is it not for our own protection... He claims that it is an order of the brigade commander who " is of course known for his good relationship with us". We answer that we are allowed to stand anywhere as long as we do not disturb the soldiers, and that we do not want nor need his protection. He takes vent of his anger and frustration on the Palestinians of course. A driver from Jubara who normally passes without standing in the queue receives an educative lecture. Obviously, a queue is building up.
11.45
The driver is released, the queue evaporates and we are on our way home...
'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Mon 10.9.07, Morning
Anabta 10.10
A shift that started with no special events ended badly.
No queue at the entrance to Anabta, and at the exit too there are only two cars. No inspections but the cars are delayed nevertheless because of the uncertainty and the fear of passing without that waive of the hand...
10.30
On the way out we dally by the fig and prickly pear seller and await there for him to peel a prickly pear for us. While there we notice that at the entrance to Anabta a very long queue gathered, that soon reached the bend (about 30 cars). We decide to go back to the checkpoint and check what is going on. On our way to the checkpoint an Israeli car that of course had not waited in the queue at the checkpoint, passes us. There are 3 women in it who, when they saw us, stop within the road block area and park there. They stormed out of their car and ran towards us swearing and cursing us. The Blue and White women arrived!!! the infamous Rika accompanied this time by two other women. They jumped on us and physically pushed us away from the checkpoint. They got very very near us waived their hands in our faces and screamed sentences such as: "How many children have you murdered today?" and other words I simply cannot repeat. All along a Hummer with soldiers was driving slowly, accompanying them. In answer to my rhetorical question if they can protect us, they said that they were there to protect us from the Palestinians, not the Jews, and apart from that, they were not the police. Osnat managed to photograph only their stormy arrival. We did not wish them to 'accompany' us to our car which we had left by the fig seller. And crazy Rika who today was a little less crazy than her friend was surprised when I agreed to write in my report that "Rika from Blue and White says that when we arrive we endanger the soldiers." She of course did not see the ridiculous in it. They left us screaming abuse that cannot be repeated.
This event was shocking and scary, not only because of the terrible curses that we had heard before but also because we felt that one wrong move and they would attack us physically, and that they are so crazy there is no telling what they would do next.
11.15
We crossed through the children's gate in Jubara. An inspection of the bags of two guys (probably illegals) that is done on the ground with weapons pointed at them.
A'Ras
No queue and no inspections, just a question here and there.
The road block commander is asking us to stand behind the reinforced concrete boulders but we refuse. He does not understand why, is it not for our own protection... He claims that it is an order of the brigade commander who " is of course known for his good relationship with us". We answer that we are allowed to stand anywhere as long as we do not disturb the soldiers, and that we do not want nor need his protection. He takes vent of his anger and frustration on the Palestinians of course. A driver from Jubara who normally passes without standing in the queue receives an educative lecture. Obviously, a queue is building up.
11.45
The driver is released, the queue evaporates and we are on our way home...
Etzion DCL, Mon 10.9.07, Morning
Road No.60, DCL Ezyon, Beit- Anun
- In front of Nashash :A Jeep and a Hummer are parked on the road and the soldiers are busy with preparation.
08.00 Nashash: Silent and empty.
08.15 Beit-Omar:NO customers today.
08.30 Beit-Anun:Children on bicycles in the narrow passageway. Lessons begin at noon, second shift, since there are not
enough classrooms for all of them.
08.50 Nebi-Yunes: Some people ask for our help. We are held up for a rather long time.
- Ezyon DCL :About 15 people are waiting for the GSS for work permits; only few are waiting for magnetic cards.
Bureaucratic news: we find that in order to get information on one’s file – its number & location – one first needs to buy revenue stamps (30 IS), then hand them to a policeman in a DCL or in a police station.Only then will he get the necessary particulars.
Dani Isra’eli confirms that this regulation was issued by police headquarters.
and pointed out that such a service does not exist at police stations and that Palestinians are liable to have to wait for long hours to be admitted there, if at all.
We are trying to find out what can be done to avoid this new problem.
Nothing Beats Seeing For Yourself
Nothing Beats Seeing For Yourself
Join us on shifts, or in guided tours for small groups, at the internal checkpoints of the West Bank: checkpoints between one village to another, at the entrance to towns, along the (Seam Zone) separation fence and the in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. Each tour focuses on one area – the northern West Bank, the Jordan Valley, central West Bank, Jerusalem environs and the southern West Bank.
Contact us
Phone: 054-5300385 Email: [email protected]
To join click here We are grateful for your support to continue and expand our efforts
יום א' 2.9.07, בוקר
A festive morning for the beginning of the school year and all the paths and the checkpoints were interested in examining the children and their briefcases.
6:30 - Qalandiya
A special gate was opened for children and teachers and we asked if the sign in Arabic was pasted in a visible place so that everyone could see it. At that hour, most of those coming were pupils and teachers who passed by quickly in front of us. On the back of the girls were colorful briefcases in purple and pink. There were three police officers there, in addition to the regular police in order to insure that the morning would go by peacefully, and that the regular people waiting would not wait longer than about 15 minutes until they reached the checking station. And this was achieved with the assistance of the police officers.
7:00 - Ja'aba
At this checkpoint, the inspection was more severe. There were about 10 - 12 security people and a long bottleneck developed, almost until the traffic circle. They were all taxis and trucks.
7:10 - Anata
There were almost no school children, just a few older women students on their way to Ar-Ram via Shuafat. The students, primarily girls, of all ages -- little girls accompanied by older ones, all of them hurrying along the road like a rainbow of purple and pink.
7:45 - Ar-Ram
There were almost no pupils. In answer to our quesiton, the border police officer said that they crossed earlier. Two little girls came from the northern side that was locked. They passed by all the guards and the concrete blocks and turned into Ar-Ram, to the school. What a daily trek.