'Awarta, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Thu 15.9.11, Morning
Route 5. Sha'ar Shomron, Kifl Haris, Qira, Jamma'in, Einabus, Hawwara, Awarta, Beit Furik and back. 15 September 2011
Translation: Suzanne O.
We drive through the end of summer scenery, pre-Palestinian State declaration.
All three of us took a break this summer from going to the territories and we were pleased to try out Route 5.
It is a week before the declaration of the Palestinian State and there are no obvious signs of what may/could happen here. The Palestinians, like the Israelis, shrug their shoulders in a 'don't know' attitude, they have no faith in the fettered Abu Mazen and we have no faith in our government. As promised in this morning's newspaper there is not much military presence, there are no new flags. There is uncertainty in the air.
There are banners in red and black: "The down hill run will end at Migron" In Hawwara and Za'tara Junction giving hints of what may/could happen.
We follow road signs and the new maps which 'the trail blazers' Dalia and Tsvia prepared for us. One drives, the second navigates, the third points out the wild flowers, dates and the lovely scenery.
Kifl Haris
The gate is open; we climb up the ridge and drive on winding, easy roads.
Qira directly overlooks Ariel.
Jamma'in
We were amazed at the size of the village. Really it is a town. When one thinks of how many years it was cordoned off …
Einabus
It absolutely borders on Hawwara.
Huwwara
It is full of life. We turn in the direction of Odelia, Awarta. A Border Police jeep stops traffic for a spot inspection on both sides of the road. We didn't see it again later on.
The new fairground in Hawwara valley (in the direction of Beita): we alighted to see the miracle. (It rivals the one above Hawwara) We had a coffee with the owner– M.A. – who, with his two sons, invested 2 million of their own money to build it and are still in debt. M told us with pride that the big wheel is 26 metres high, while that of their competitor on the hill opposite measures only 22 metres and, even in Tel Aviv, the big wheel is only 24 metres high…
The fairground was empty and clean and our hearts went out to M., who, while not yet making a profit, has a vision of amusing the children in the area and providing them with a place to have fun and feel comfortable.
Awarta
We went into the grocery store we are familiar with and met with our old friends. We were offered dates. We discovered a modern oil press next to the shop where they store the oil, bottle and pack it for export to Europe and the USA. Preparations are well in hand for 15 October, the day the olive picking starts. The expected yield this year is 'so so' 30%.
The oil press owners told us that the army warned them that next week there would be a roadblock on the road from Awarta, between the DCO and the Awarta roadblock.
Miki searched for little Malk's house, for whom she had obtained permission to be operated on in Israel through the 'Peres Peace Centre'. We were delighted to meet the motherless beautiful little girl of 9 years of age.
Awarta roadblock
Closed.
Beit Furik village
As we arrived two military cars left. The news today reported the burning of 3 cars in the village. We drove along the fine road into the village and talked to inhabitants. They told us that in the morning there had been a roadblock at the exit to the village. The morning shift did not report a roadblock.
Beit Furik roadblock
There are no soldiers.
We returned via Hawwara, Za'tara/Tapuach Junction and Shomron Crossing. We saw no particular military activity.
More banners shook us again:
- "The down hill run will end at Migron"
- Freedom is over – we salute Migron
- Against the Arabs and Leftist organisations – help the "Regavim" act
- Regavim guard your home
- Only one organisation has the teeth to deal with the Leftist organisations www.regavim.org.il