'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Qalqiliya, Mon 29.9.08, Morning

 

Tulkarm and Qalqiliya

 

On the news they reported a closure until the end of the holiday.

 

6:35  (5:35 Palestine time)

A-ras checkpoint is open. The soldier at the checkpost says he is
not aware of a change in the policy for letting people through the
checkpoint, despite the closure.

 

At this early hour hardly anyone goes through. Three women who
reach the checkpoint are not requested to go through the magnometer.

 

6:50 The workmen checkpoint at Elijah Gate is empty.

 

6:55-7:20 Qalqiliya

The checkpoint is almost empty. Those entering and exiting stop at
the checkpoint and wait for the soldier to wave them through, but
(apart from Israeli vehicles) there are no inspections.

 

9:00 ( after stopping at Beit Iba) Anabta

14 vehicles are waiting from Tulkarm's direction, two vehicles from the opposite direction.

 

At the checkpoint there is a jeep of the Special Security Forces.
By the checkpoint a cab and a private car are detained. Some of their
passenger are being interrogated. The soldiers at the checkpoint
inspect the vehicles arriving from Tulkarm, they select some of the
younger passengers and send them to be interrogated. Each interrogation
lasts about 7 minutes, and starts with lifting the shirt and opening
the trousers' flies, in full view of everyone. During the 40 minutes we
were there 8 guys were detained.

 

When a suspect arrives by cab all the other passengers have to wait for him.

 

A bus arriving from Tulkarm passes without inspection.

 

9:40 The jeep departs and so do we.

 

10:00-10:15 A-ras

Very few go through the checkpoint. Some are being inspected.