Huwarra

Huwwara 10 March 2005 Watchers: Dorit L., Dana S., Michal S. reporting: Osnat A. A day without a roadblock, almost.6:30 a.m. We commenced our day on the bridge between A-Zwiya and Mascha. Perhaps because of the rainy weather we see no traffic apart from a few people waiting to be picked up under the olive trees.We continue and get onto road 5066 from Kfar Harat to Jit Junction. Along the way there are direction signs and names of settlements – but only the names of the Jewish settlements are marked. We pass by local villages whose names are not on the signs, not even at the entrance to the village.All the way to Kfar Sarara there were no roadblocks. No roadblocks at the Jit Junction.Sarara – A roadblock with two soldiers and two others posted above. Empty. The soldier explains to us, with a smile, that there is no traffic today because, he heard from a local who passed by, the road on the other side of the village is open. The roadblock is still here. It will be interesting to see what happens next.The road is open up to the Huwwara roadblock.Huwwara South – no soldiers. The roadblock is closed. To think that just a number of weeks ago they were still building and adding electronic doors to the soldiers checkpoints and to the holding area. Pedestrians cross without regular checks except for a selected few. When we were there those wanting to enter Nablus were not checked. Vehicles were checked at the northern side of the roadblock.Huwwara North – the traffic is flowing, no one is held up. The age range of those held has gone down to 14 – 20 (it was 14 – 25).Beit Furik – The traffic of pedestrians is sparse and quick. The traffic of trucks and cars carrying loads in the direction of Nablus is quick. When we arrive there were five cars.8:20 a.m.Tapuach Junction – Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. Only four cars. The traffic is flowing well. We cross the roadblock in less than five minutes.At the entrance to >b>Kfar Marda - a military jeep with an armed soldier beside it. Everything is empty and we continue on.At the foot of Ariel - a military jeep stops a local car for a check. An unannounced roadblock for a random check…A-Zwiya/Mascha – we are on the road. There is no roadblock at the usual place but after we continue our journey we surmise that perhaps the roadblock has moved, because of the rains, to a “better” place – under the bridge.