'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Jubara (Kafriat), Qalqiliya, Mon 11.8.08, Morning
6:35 Qalqilya
The checkpoint is quiet with very few cars. The officer in charge introduces himself to us and tells us to contact him if there are any problems. He maintains that the c/p is quiet for most of the day. An ambulance entering the town is asked to open up for inspection. We leave at 7.05.
The entrance to Azoun is open and unobstructed.
9:05 Anabta
There is an Israeli police car parked 100 m before the c/p and a policeman handing out fines. Why – we are not informed.
The c/p is quiet with few cars and few checks of cars. Cars with Israeli license plates are passing through without checks towards Tul Karm. A gradual line of 11 cars builds up but they pass through quickly with superficial checks.
9:45 Ar-Ras
We see a Hummer parked by the c/p. On the other side of the road a Palestinian car is standing. The car is new and does not have plates. The driver and male passenger are waiting. Eventually the same police car that we saw at Anabta arrives. The policeman interrogates the 2 Palestinians, checks their papers etc. After a long discussion and computer checks, he issues them a fine, presumably for driving without plates and they are free to go. The policeman then proceeds to check other cars in conjunction with the soldiers who are checking all cars, including those coming from the direction of Qalqilya.
The police request us to move our car which is "obstructing" (their van is parked on the opposite side of the road).
We leave at 10.30.