'Awarta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Beit Furik, Burin (Yitzhar), Huwwara, Shomron Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 10.2.11, Morning
Translation: Suzanne O.
It is cold; rain hangs in the air and the almond trees are, finally, blossoming. There are no soldiers at the Nablus roadblocks.
Azun Atma
6:30 a.m.
Surprisingly there are almost no labourers in the queue. Many of them sit at the side of the road waiting for transport. On the lane leading from the turnstile to the inspection cubes a military policewoman stands and inspects ID cards and permits as a pre-inspection. There is no way of knowing if this holds things up or quickens the pace. At any rate, as already noted, there is almost no queue.
A group of labourers wants to return to the village. A soldier opens the gate for them and checks their documents thoroughly.
6:40 a.m.
The agricultural gate which is at the Azun Atma crossing is locked. Soldiers are stationed on top of the tower but cannot be seen (we could hear the sound of the generator).
The civilian police are at the Shomron Crossing, at the exit from Israel, and there is hardly any queue at the entrance.
6:55 a.m.
The entrances to Marda and Zeita are open.
Za'atra/Tapuach
7:00 a.m.
There is a queue of some 50 vehicles. Most of the time the soldiers hardly glance at those passing by but it only needs one car to be held up to create a long queue.
Yitzhar/Borin roadblocks
Four military vehicles which had congregated at the bay of the snap roadblock separate and go on their way.
Beit Furiq
7:30 a.m.
The place is once again deserted. The soldiers are not to be seen and just the noise of the generator confirms that they are at the top of the tower.
Awarta
7:40
The yellow barrier still bars the entrance/exit to Nablus. The tower is empty of soldiers (there is no water trailer and no generator).
Huwwara
7:45 a.m.
There are no soldiers in the checkpoints. There is heavy traffic of cars and lorries to and from the town.
At the exit from Huwwara village a Border Police vehicle is parked opposite the entrance to Beita.
Za'atra/Tapuach
Traffic flows with no hindrance.
At Shomron Crossing there is no police presence at the exit from Israel and the inspection at the entrance is superficial as usual.