Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Wed 27.8.08, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Sara K., Sharon L. (reporting)
Aug-27-2008
|
Afternoon
Seriously? Does this make us safer?

Translator:  Charles K.

15:33  Huwwara checkpoint

One detainee who photographed the soldiers in their positions with a cellphone, according to T., the DCO representative - they made him erase the photos and released him. 
T. told Sara that the checkpoint is manned today by a Golani unit whose commanders understand the situation and are considerate of the Palestinians. 
Three lanes are operating.  The line stretches to the end of the shed.  People are under pressure.  They wait on line from 40 minute to an hour.

Four vehicles waiting to enter Nablus.  It takes a while for them to go through.

Many students today.  Some stood nearby and told us that the officer yesterday was terrible, and they had to wait three hours in line.


16:30  Beit Furik checkpoint

Five cars coming from Nablus.  Very light pedestrian traffic.  One detainee, but we weren't able to find out why.

Constant vehicle traffic, but they don't wait long at the checkpoint.  Pedestrians also arrive in waves, and when it's slow the soldiers fool around using the metal detectors on each other - they must think it's really pretty funny...

A female soldier tells everyone what to do in a crude and embarrassing manner, yelling like an animal.  In general, the soldiers treat the Palestinians terribly.  They rudely made them move back toward Nablus.  And one man who wants to enter Nablus has been waiting for a long time in front of the window, talking to the soldier.  It isn't clear to us whether he's being interrogated or if he's trying to find something out.  Meanwhile, a man and woman have also been waiting all this time to enter.  Finally the turnstile is opened and they go through, while the other man continues to stand in front of the window.  And the detainee is still in the "cesspit."  He's released at 17:03.


17:30  Za'tara junction. 6 vehicles leaving Nablus.