Habla

The aim of this shift, in addition to observing the two agricultural checkpoints, is to introduce the new members to the enclaves which the separation fence creates and the suffering which is inflicted on the Palestinians because of it.

I also wished to photograph the big yellow signposts at the gates, which should state the opening hours – but there were none at the gates gates which we visited.

11:45 The Sha'arey Tiqva – Elkana enclave

Explanations regarding the former situation, the Azun Atma CP, Hany's house, a drive along the wall to Oranit, gate 4, which isn't used anymore, a drive on the system road along the fence, in which there is another closed gate.12:35 The Agricultural Gate 1447

A young man and woman in a car, and a man with an empty cart hitched to a donkey, are already waiting beyond the soldiers' post. Before we managed to leave the car, another car with two young man positions itself near us. The driver introduces himself as somebody who speaks "only" Hebrew, waits to return to his home at Azun Atma, complains that the gate was opened in the morning at 08:00 instead of at 06:00. He adds that all the farmers wish to set the opening hours earlier, and this was also the wish of the man with the cart. He explains also that in the morning it rained and only a few farmers went to work.

12:45 A military vehicle arrives. Four military policemen descend, two of them remain at the post, two open all the gates, check the papers of those entering the area of the Palestinian Authority or coming out of it. Two more cars arrive, a few farmers go out, a very big truck comes from the east, two young men descend from it, pass the checkpoint and talk with us. They too are from Azun Atma and they tell us (what we already know) that the workers who passed in the past through the constantly open CP of Azun Atma, are now forced to pass through the Eyal CP. Suddenly they return to the truck, which did not pass through the CP. We asked the soldiers why they didn't let the truck cross, and they answered that they did, but the driver decided not to cross. We left in the direction of Habla.

13:30 Agricultural Checkpoint Habla 1393

When we arrived there were no Palestinians waiting to cross in the direction of Habla. Five pedestrians crossed, after whome three private cars, a cart hitched to a horse, two big trucks loaded with trees and other plants, passed one after the other. Some more cars arrived and passed, in the direction Habla as well. I told in short the story of the electrical pump which was donated by the Swedes, and that after the two pumps were confiscated and ransom was demanded, the old pump was reconnected after many long months.

14:00 The Alfey Menashe Enclave

Explanations regarding the change in the delineations of the fence in the area, visit at Arb A-Ramadin, where there was a considerable change in the school building, but the remnants of old wreckage are still to be seen everywhere in the area. On to Eliyahu CP, to the area of the site administration, the invested environmental development causes a strong reaction against the evil in the mere existence of a checkpoint at this point. Another reaction to the shocks from the situation in which the Palestinians are forced to live was: "why is everybody so nice to us?"

We continued till the entrance to Kalkilya, one of the members remarked that it is completely clear what N., at the plant nursery, meant when he talked about a prison.