Azzun, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Tue 26.2.08, Morning
Translation: Ruth F.
It was a gray Tuesday, which was becoming to the surroundings and circumstances... The police was directing the traffic at the exit from Ariel, on the other side was a blockage which Palestinians couldn't pass, everything was as usual. At Haras- a segment of dirt mounds which were "supported" with barbed wires, this prevents from the Palestinians from exiting by foot to road number 5.
Za'tara-
There were four cars from the east and twelve cars from Nablus. We didn't see any detained vehicles nor did we see people going through inspections.
There were no checkpoints on the rest of our way (Baita and Yitzhar).
Beit Furik-
Quiet. The soldiers were relaxed, courteous and polite towards us (apart for the military police soldier, they are always rude and enjoy their status of "When a Slave Reigns" and so they immediately make us singles with their hands to step behind the "Sacred Line"). Few people were coming in. The passage was quick. Few cars (about 5) were at the top of the hill and came down according to the regular routine, so that they would get their permit. This time everything moves relatively quickly, without any unnecessary delays. Even the procedure, in which the driver has to stop 20 meters from the soldier and then make the rest of the way by foot, including lifting his shirt, wasn't preformed. The driver would reach the soldiers with his car, come out, show his ID and from time to time they had a look in his car, then he would head on and the next one was inspected.
A Palestinian came to us, his brother's stolen car had been confiscated by the police on the day before. The man had forgotten his ID and keys in the car. By the checkpoint was a pail of things that had been thrown out of a car and that seemed familiar to him. The soldiers allowed him to look for the lost objects. He didn't find it and the soldier in the checkpoint also had a look and didn't find the ID. It was clear to the young man (who didn't speak Hebrew and therefore we used Nadim's help) that he had no other option but to get in touch with the police (and he said he had some connections).
The segregation at Huwwara had ended, they weren't inspecting those heading in (few people), and there were no detainees. Few people were coming out. It was all done relatively quickly. There were 2 inspection posts and one humanitarian line. The soldiers were calm and courteous. Hardly any cars were heading out. Few cars were entering, no other delays apart for a quick ID check by the polite soldier.
There wasn't an x-ray machine.
Very slowly the market is beginning to form. There was coffee, a stand with candy and a cart selling bagels. There was also a Falafel stand and the biggest innovation was a merchant selling vegetables on the pavement in the middle of the road (Eti got vegetables for the whole week).
It was rather cold. Since things seemed to be going well and T., the DCO representative was there, We left at about 10:00.
We made our way back on the road that pass by Azzun- nothing out of the ordinary- The road leading from the village was blocked. Apart for the residents in the villages on the way, we saw no one.
It was seemingly a quiet and relaxed day... wickedness! Wickedness! Wickedness!