Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...
'Azzun 'Atma, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Mon 14.5.12, Morning
14/05/2012 ,Morning
Dafna S., Nina S. (reporting)
06:30 'Azzun-'Atma: Over one hundred people in a line, which is consistently growing although the passage seems to be smooth. Early rise kids on their way to school.
Two inspection booths and an external merchandise- inspection booth were operating. We timed passage: it took one person 35 minutes to get through.
We noticed two soldiers who strayed off into the 'Azzun-'Atma fields along the fence – apparently to hunt people who try to get through holes in the fence. No apparent results.
At 07:00 the line seemed to diminish. We went on to Tamar Gate, which was already closed off. We were scolded by an officer for using a prohibited road.
07:35 Za'tara: Two soldiers occasionally check a car, asking for documents. This instantaneously causes huge queues from the Nablus direction. We can't see why the traffic is not directed into the parallel lane???
08:00 Huwwara: All the lanes were open, no soldiers were present, except for uphill to Har Berakha – a single soldier standing all alone. On the way back through Za'atra we saw two inactive Magav soldiers.