Azzun, Deir Sharaf, Eliyahu crossing,Habla, 04.05.11 morning
Translation: Suzanne O.
Habla Agricultural Gate No. 1393
7:20 a.m.
The gate is open and the inhabitants cross five at a time after inspection. 20 people queue to cross.
3 horses and carts cross. A military jeep is parked on the security road and there are 3 soldiers at the crossing. A sheet is pinned to the gate giving the opening times (a refreshing change).
Eliyahu Crossing
7:50 a.m.
About 20 labourers queue to cross.
Between Nabi Elyas and Qalqiliya, at the top of the road, there is a military jeep with 3 soldiers.
Izbat Tabib village
8:10 a.m.
By the side of the village's internal road there are road works going on to put up a fence on Palestinian land which will bar the approach to the olive grove and steal land from the village (the villagers are protesting). The main road from Nablus to Kdumim borders the grove and it would be more logical to put the fence there.
Azzun
We crossed the village, few shops were open, and all is quiet. We passed by Sur and Jayus villages.
The Azzun – Tulkarem road is wide and has been re-laid and resurfaced in parts.
We are on our way to Deir Sharaf via Falamia along the security road.
9:00 a.m. Falamiya Gate is open and empty, there is a Hummer type vehicle and soldiers are in the positions.
Kafr Jamalis quiet and a villager, the father of eight, appears happy – he shows us a permit to cross to Israel – not for work.
Kafr Zibad
There are road works on the main road and we make a detour between the olive groves.
The old Barrel roadblock is empty. The road from Beit Lid to Deir Sharaf is completely impassable.
Deir Sharaf
9:30 a.m.
We are told that yesterday, Tuesday, there was a 4 hour roadblock. It is the Nablus road.
In Area A a settler vehicle crosses to the dismantled Chomesh where, they claim, there is a synagogue.
On the way to Qusin, Sarra, Jit Junction
Al Punduk
10:00 a.m.
A Hummer car and soldiers are near the oil press. In the village activity is discernable and shops are open.
We are on our way home via Kafr Lakif, A-Nebi Elyas, Azzun and Eliahu crossing.