'Azzun, Makkabim (Beit Sira)
A shift that is not exactly a shift. We had arranged the track according to the places which Ronit had fixed with the Palestinians, who are being taken care of by Sylvia’s team. But when they don’t have the sums required to pay the lawyer they cancel the meeting, sometimes without letting us know. Those who were intended to come to Nebi Elias didn’t arrive and we continue to Azun.
At the entrance to Azun there were a military jeep and four soldiers. We slow down to take photos. The soldiers, with a look that says what for God’s sake these Israeli women do here – approach us. They want to know whether we know where we are and ask where we are heading. We tell them that we have come to visit a friend at Azun. They find it hard to believe. A conversation ensues. According to them the whole of Eretz Israel belongs to the people of Israel and there is absolutely no such thing as occupation or land robbery. This is our land they declare seriously. Poisoned brainwashed youngsters. Leora who has the patience of a teacher tries to explain and convince.
At Azun we unload the parcels and happily observe the improvement in Z’s condition.
After the Eliahu CP we stop for a Palestinian woman. She wants to reach Kfar Saba to find work. Her husband is in prison already a year and a half and at home, she has two hungry children. The heart bleeds for her. How did she pass the CP? She has a passage permit for one day. It’s her first time in Israel. She sounded rather confused. We decide to stop at the plant nursery. A. talks to her in Arabic and gets the impression that she is an imposter. She refuses to give identifying details. He tries to tells her that he wants to help her. They are both from Kilkilya and he knows the family. But in spite of her crying, it is difficult to understand what her real story is. She continues to travel with us a certain distance and asks to get off before we reach Jaljuliya. Soft hearted Leora gives her money and we part with heavy hearts.
We continue to Modi’in where Ronit joins us. At the entrance to Beit Sira two Palestinians arrive to meet the lawyer ladies. The heat is very heavy.
'Azzun
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Azoun (updated February 2019)
A Palestinian town situated in Area B (under civil Palestinian control and Israeli security control),
on road 5 between Nablus and Qalqiliya, east of Nabi Elias village. The inhabitants are allowed to construct and improve infrastructures. The Separation Fence has confiscated lands belonging to the town's people. In 2018 olive tree groves owned by one of its inhabitants were confiscated for the sake of paving a road to bypass Nabi Elias. Azoun population numbers 13,000, its economic state dire. Its infrastructures are poor, neglect and poverty rampant. In the meantime, the town council has completed paving an internal road for the inhabitants' welfare.
Because of its proximity to the Jewish settler-colony of Karnei Shomron and its outposts, the town suffers the intense presence of the Israeli army, especially at nighttime: soldiers enter homes, arrest suspects, trash the house and sometimes ruin it, as they do in numerous places in the West Bank. At times a checkpoint closes the entrance to the town, so no one can come in or get out.
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Makkabim (Beit Sira)
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Makkabim checkpoint is located on Road 443. The road leads, through Palestinian territory, from Jerusalem to the Modi'in area and west, and passes through an area designated in 1949 as the no-man's land. Travel on the road from east to west is only allowed to Israelis. Palestinians with an entry permit to Israel can only cross the checkpoint as pedestrians. Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 05: 00-11: 30.
About 3,000 Palestinians pass through the checkpoint every day. The checkpoint is managed by a civilian security company.
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