'Azzun, 'Azzun 'Atma, 'Izbet alTabib, Eliyahu Crossing, Habla

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Observers: 
Rachel A., Nina S. (reporting), Translator: Charles K.
Dec-24-2013
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Morning

 

The occupation routine.  Izbet Tabib is open but the northern gate to 'Azzun 'Atma is manned and passage is limited to residents of 'Azzun 'Atma and holders of entry permits to Israel.  Three children sell coffee at the southern 'Azzun 'Atma checkpoint.

 

06:20  'Azzun 'Atma south.  More than 60 people on line, a large number for this hour.  Many who’d already crossed crowd around small fires outside to get warm, waiting for their employers to pick them up.  Three children selling coffee cross the road back and forth offering their wares; they were still there when we left at 07:00.  It takes 25-30 minutes to cross at this hour.  On the village side of the checkpoint both parking lots are filled with cars belonging to people going who’ve left them there and crossed.  The construction of the wall continues rapidly. 

07:00  Six girls on their way to school accompany female teachers.

 

07:20  Habla.  The line isn’t long; many have already crossed.  Pickup trucks with seedlings, cars and carts also go through.  One is pulled by a white, long-haired pony covered in mud, an unusual sight in this area.  At 07:35 the bus with the girls from ‘Arab Ramadin goes through.  We didn’t see the boys’ bus; maybe it crossed earlier?  At 07:45 everyone else who had been waiting was admitted to the checkpoint area – about 20 people and some more carts and cars - and the gatesinfo-icon closed.  Five minutes later they’d all completed inspection and exited to the seam zone; then the remaining gates closed.

 

08:00  Eliyahu gate.  Few cars are waiting; about three people on the pedestrian line.

 

The entrance to Izbet Tabib is open (it was blocked again the next day).

 

08:35  Northern 'Azzun 'Atma.  The gate is manned; there’s no line and whoever arrives crosses quickly.  Only holders of entry permits to Israel or the seam zone, or whose ID cards show they have an address in 'Azzun 'Atma, are allowed to go through here.

 

On our way back we visited Z. in 'Azzun.  We had a pleasant cup of coffee with him at a table he’d received as a gift.  The sun shone warmly; for a moment we could imagine all was well and good