'Awarta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Beit Furik, Burin (Yitzhar), Huwwara, Shomron Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 8.11.12, Morning
Translation: Suzanne O.
Unbelievable –the yellow barrier which blocked the road from Awarta to Nablus is open.
Azzun Atma
6:35 a.m.
A very short queue at the exit, less than twenty people, in spite of the fact that only two checkpoints are functioning. As already noted, two additional positions have been prepared. The renovations continue. The electronic turnstile is not working and the labourers cross via a new gate beside it which is wide open. It will be possible for women or those returning to pass through without the need to open the gate for vehicles.
The awnings to protect from the weather have not yet been installed. That's probably why it isn't raining yet.
Reservists are here and working efficiently. There was also an additional group of soldiers who came to check that everything is as it should be. We asked what was going on with the binoculars reported on last week. They answered that it was before they arrived and, as far as they know, the binoculars have not been found.
Shomron Crossing
7:00 a.m.
There are no police at the exit from Israel.
Za'tara/Tapuach
7:20 a.m.
We didn't see soldiers in the positions; there was a soldier in the lookout tower.
There was a lot of traffic on the way up the hill.
Yitzhar/Borin roadblocks
There is no military activity.
Beit Furik
7:55 a.m.
There are no soldiers. There is no flag flying.
We visited the village and asked about the municipality election results. It appears that in Beit Furik the official candidate of Fatah was elected. But what is no less important – more than a third of those eligible to vote did not do so because they are in favour of Hamas.
Awarta
8:00 a.m.
Halleluiah – The chain that locked the yellow barrier is gone. The iron barrier is now open and vehicles can cross to and from Nablus. We asked one of the taxi drivers how long since the change and he said about two days. He was not sure that the army did it (?!) and he fears that the people from Itamar will soon lock it again. (As we have already said they are the Lords of the country.) He asked us to act to ensure that the way will remain open because it saves both time and fuel.
Huwwara
8:10 a.m.
We didn't see any soldiers in the lookout tower. However there are green and Israeli flags flying.
On the way up to Bracha – we didn't see any soldiers.
Borin/Yitzhar
There is no military activity.
Za'tara/Tapuach
8:25 a.m.
There are no soldiers in the positions; there is still heavy traffic on the main road. Two soldiers armed to the teeth guard a young woman settler at the hitchhiker's station on the way up to Ariel.
At Shomron Crossing there is no queue and the examination is, as usual, superficial.