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...
Hamra (Beqaot), Tayasir, Tue 17.4.12, Afternoon
12:00 Bezeq CP
An indifferent guard opposite the road. We went on.
The Alon Road – from the west: Near the settlement of Ro'I, there are four loaded army tractors. And on the sides of the road small groups of soldiers are performing maneuvers.
12:20 Hamra CP
On the way we picked up a very old Bedouin who was walking in the middle of the road with a big stick. He slowly went on his way on foot to the encampment near the CP (north of the watch tower). Two armed soldiers ran up to him and after a few moments stopped and returned. This was the first sign of the tension and the alertness which were appar today in this CP. The commander came up to us with his rifle drawn ready for any possible event, in order to instruct us to leave "the military area which is closed" for such as us. After that there a captain and an assistantcame, called by radio. He threatened us and even called the police. His assistant yelled at us angrily: "You are delaying them for me." Afterwards, they let us alone. Perhaps he understood that he is not our commander. In the meantime workers are going through, some on foot and some in vehicles. They greet us. Those who have forgotten how they smoothed the path south of the CP for them are sent to it. Schoolgirls who forgot that road – were reminded of it. The schoolbags are screened in the vehicle at the entrance to the CP, and this causes additional delays. Gigantic carts with giant rocks from the area of Nablus on them, are on the way to Jericho. Our friend, R.S. stopped his tractor at the junction and came to ask about Daphna, and to invite us for tea. He tells us that the army comes at night once or twice a week to ask for documents. "He knows me, so I ask him why he has to see my documents over and over again. And the soldier answers that it isn't him, it's his commander."
13:20 We left.
As we were leaving we received an invitation to visit and have a meal at the house of friends in Jiflik.
At the Hamra junction, when we turned north, we saw a police pickup truck. Did they come in our honor?
13:40 Tyasir CP
Along the road that climbs up to the CP there are soldiers doing maneuvers or guarding military equipment. At the CP, there are the banners of Kfir. On the fence there is still the threatening sign: WELCOME. OPERATION 97. TOMORROW WAR.
When we arrived we met the schoolchildren who ran madly through the CP and the minibus arrived after them.
We know the soldiers at the post because they were there last week – one from the settlement of Yakir and the other from Jerusalem. The atmosphere here is much more friendly and calm. The soldiers are certain that this is their land and theirs alone. It is not a pleasure to serve in the CP, but they "are guarding their home". Every Arab is a "potential terrorist", and that is why "this CP is so important". Later the captain, who lives in the settlement of Kida, arrived with three sergeants. They all belong to the Kfir Brigade. They explained the meaning of the slogans to us, and also told us about the military "personality" that chooses them (company commanders, brigade commanders)". "To think in spots" was the idea of XXXX who was advanced to a new role a long time ago.
Traffic is very thin.
14:30 We left.
14:45 Bezeq CP
They asked us how we were, where we were coming from and where we were going. It was important to hear that each of us speaks Hebrew.
Al Aqaba village 14.1.10 עקבה
Al Aqaba village 14.01.10
Jericho vicinity 06.01.10
Jericho vicinity 06.01.10
Jericho vicinity 06.01.10
Hamra vicinity 06.01.10
Hamra vicinity 06.01.10
Hamra vicinity 06.01.10
Hamra vicinity 06.01.10
Hamra vicinity 06.01.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.02.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.02.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.02.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.03.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.03.10
Hamra vicinity 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot vicinity 10.03.10
Hamra vicinity 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 10.03.10
Hamra/Beqaot 10.03.10
Hammam al Maleh 11.03.10
Hammam al Maleh 11.03.10
Bardala 18.03.10
Jordan valley 30.03.10
Jordan Valley 30.03.10
Jordan Valley 30.03.10
Hamra 30.03.10
Jordan valley 30.03.10
Jordan Valley 29.04.10
Jordan Valley 29.04.10
Jordan Valley 29.04.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Tyasir checkpoint 03.05.10
Tyasir checkpoint 03.05.10
Tyasir checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 06.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 06.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 06.05.10
Jordan Valley 05.05.10
Jordan Valley 05.05.10
Jordan Valley 01.06.10
Jordan Valley 01.06.10
Jordan Valley 01.06.10
Jordan valley 01.06.10
Jordan Valley 22.05.10
Jordan Valley 22.05.10
Jordan valley 22.05.10
Jordan Valley 22.05.10
Jordan valley 01.07.10
Jordan valley 01.07.10
Tayasir checkpoint 14.07.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 14.07.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 14.07.10
Jordan Valley 29.07.10
Jordan Valley 29.07.10
Jordan Valley 29.07.10
Jordan Valley 29.07.10
Hamra checkpoint 10.08.10
Ein al Hilwa 10.08.10
Tayasir checkpoint 30.08.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 30.08.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 30.08.10
Hamra /Beqaot 10.09.10
Hamra /Beqaot 10.09.10
Hamra /Beqaot 10.09.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.09.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.09.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.09.10
Tayasir checkpoint 10.09.10
Hamra vicinity 21.09.10
Hamra vicinity 21.09.10
Hamra vicinity 21.09.10
Hamra /Beqaot 16.09.10
Hamra /Beqaot 16.09.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 05.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 05.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Tayasir checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 12.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot 31.10.10
Hamra/Beqaot 31.10.10
Gochia gate 31.10.10
Jordan valley 08.12.10
Jordan valley 08.12.10
Hamra checkpoint 28.12.10
Jordan Valley 09.12.10
Jordan valley 09.11.10
Jordan valley 09.11.10
Tayasir checkpoint 09.11.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot checkpoint 03.05.10
Hamra/Beqaot 10.02.10
Ein al Hilwa 15.12.10
