Beit Furik, Hamra (Beqaot), Huwwara, Ma'ale Efrayim, Salfit Checkpoint, Tayasir, Za'tara (Tapuah), Sat 30.6.12, Morning

 Translator:  Charles K.

10:15  Salfit checkpoint

Something new:  Of the two yellow iron bars at the checkpoint, the inner one (nearer Salfit) is raised and always open.

One soldier at the civilian position at the entrance to Ariel, opening and closing one of the bars from a distance.

Taxis arriving cross immediately, the soldier remains at the gate, opens and closes it by pressing a button.

At the exit from Ariel toward Tapuach the police are again stopping cars for inspection.  A yellow taxi is detained.

10:30  Za’tara/Tapuach junction

We saw no police or army on the road.  A Border Police soldier in the guard tower.

10:45  Ma’aleh Efrayim checkpoint

No soldiers on the road.

An army jeep below the tower; soldiers are apparently in the tower (we didn’t see them).

Many flocks of sheep in the dry fields along the road.  We distributed clothing and shoes we’d brought with us.

11:20  Hamra/Beqa’ot checkpoint

Something new here also:  tall, thick green poles have been erected at the checkpoint, apparently for shade canopies. 

We saw five soldiers at the checkpoint.

A car that arrived from the west (Area A) at the same time as we did enters the checkpoint, goes through quickly and waits for the passengers who got out for inspection in the building.

From the east – there was no one there when we arrived; three cars came and a minute later were waved through without inspection.

11:25  A commercial vehicle arrived from the west; again, passengers get out, the vehicle waits for them, three minutes later they leave.

Sparse traffic. It is very hot down here at the Jordan valley.

11:40  We drove on.

12:05  Tayasir checkpoint

Two soldiers at the checkpoint, a large sign reading “Lavie Rifle Company.”

When we arrived we saw a car to the west waiting for its passengers, three men, who emerged two minutes later.

A taxi coming from Tubas is quickly inspected and waits for its passengers, two women, two children and three men who emerged five minutes later.

No traffic from the east.

12:20  We left.

12:40  Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint.  Light traffic

Two cars from the west.  The cars and the passengers are checked separately, quickly.

From the east – empty.  When two cars arrived the soldiers waved them through without inspection.

People go through the checkpoint quickly.

13:30  Za’tara/Tapuach– no soldiers, normal traffic.

14:00  Huwwara checkpoint– no soldiers, heavy traffic.

14:10  Beit Furik checkpoint– open, no soldiers.