'Awarta, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), יום א' 24.5.09, בוקר
Translation: Suzanne O.
Za'atra
7:40 a.m.
There are 5 vehicles in the queue from the west.
At the northern roadblock 2 inspection lanes and a humanitarian lane are functioning. The soldiers: reservists from the Air Force. The inspections are swift, there are no hold ups. Even a bus crosses without its passengers being forced to alight.
A number of people gather a few metres north of the checkpoint. The reason: they are waiting for a vehicle with room for them all to get into since they are not permitted to cross the roadblock on foot.
On our way to Huwwara we count 35 vehicles.
Beit Furiq
8:10 a.m.
There are 10 vehicles in the queue. There is a trickle of pedestrians.
Awarta
8:30 a.m.
There are 5 vehicles queuing at the exit from the village and 5 at the entrance to the village.
There is a station wagon and 2 taxis carrying chicks. They have permits but not for this roadblock. The station wagon passes the chicks to a local vehicle (back to back), the taxi drivers approach us. Yonni, the roadblock commander suggests that they contact the DCO. If they agree - he will let them through. They made the call - but are left empty handed! Yonni suggested that they cross at Huwwara and, at our request, telephoned the roadblock to enable them to cross there.
8:50 a.m.
The taxis left for Huwwara. Logically they should turn right and drive the few tens of metres which separate Awarta and Huwwara roadblock, however common sense does not work for Palestinians and they are forced to make a detour via Huwwara town.
Huwwara
9:00 a.m.
There are just a few pedestrians. One inspection lane and a humanitarian lane are functioning. The x-ray machine is present. The traffic is quite heavy into Nablus, but no queue builds up. The soldiers: religious Nachal.
9:05 a.m.
The taxis with the chicks arrive and are allowed through.
An Israeli coach, carrying Christians from the Ukraine, is on its way to Nablus. They are not permitted to cross. They had decided on a visit to Nablus this morning and had not bothered to get the necessary permits. The roadblock commander, Eran, suggests that they go on foot to the taxi rank. The coach driver tells us that there a number of elderly women on board who will not be able to walk that distance.
10:10 a.m.
The coach is still there, the driver is apparently trying to find a way to get an entrance permit for Nablus.
We leave the roadblock.
Za'atra
11:00 a.m.
There are 10 vehicles in the queue.