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...
'Anabta, 'Awarta, Huwwara, Salfit Checkpoint, Te'enim Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Sat 17.3.12, Morning
17/03/2012 ,Morning
Natalie C., and Ruti R.
Nablusarea 17 March 2012
Translation: Suzanne O.
Salfit roadblock
9:50 a.m.
There are, as usual, two soldiers at the roadblock, while we were here no cars passed through, we continued on.
Za'tara/Tapuach Junction
10:05 a.m.
There is a jeep with soldiers in the car park, on the road itself there are neither soldiers nor police. Traffic is heavy, as usual.
10:10 a.m. At the entrance Beita a-tachta there is no roadblock.
We entered the village. We continued on up to Beita el Fuka, we drove by Awarta and arrived at Akraba.
The people are welcoming, happy to meet and talk to us. We introduced ourselves and gave out visiting cards.
We were pleased to see a lot of factories, large and small, between the villages.
We thought it would be nice (and useful for livelihoods) if we (MachsomWatch) were to decide to divert some of our budget in a specific year to establishing some kind of necessary enterprise (possibly one employing mainly women?).
We returned via Road 6 to Za'tara/Tapuach Junction.
Za'tara/Tapuach Junction
11:00 a.m.
There are two soldiers on the road but they do not hinder the traffic.
At the entrance to Beita
11:05 a.m.
Now there is a military jeep here, we didn't see a temporary roadblock (spikes) and a few minutes later the jeep drove off in the direction of Huwwara.
Huwwara roadblock
11:45 a.m.
There are no soldiers, the traffic is heavy.
There is a huge hole in the road at the exit from Nablus and each car slows down and passes it carefully, it causes a fair size traffic jam.
Anabta roadblock
12:45 p.m.
We didn't see any soldiers.
Children sell green almonds and the regular coffee seller is also here.
Kafriat/Te'enim roadblock
12:50 p.m.
There aren't many cars.
Those entering Israel are inspected rigorously, which takes quite a few minutes.