'Anabta
15/10/2007 ,Morning
Francis T., Rony S.
Trans.: Judith Green
7:45 – The checkpoint of Jit was manned by 4 soldiers and a Hammer from the direction of Nablus. A line of about 5 vehicles formed very quickly since the soldiers were not doing inspection, but rather chatting among themselves. An Egged bus full of settlers which, of course, did not wait in the line of the Palestinians but travelled on the righthand lane, almost ran us over when we turned in the direction of Nablus.
7:55 – The checkpoint at Beit Iba was relatively quiet, with less traffic. A lot of families with children in holiday dress were using the free day from school and university for visits and entertainment.
At the exit from Nablus there were few vehicles; one truck heavily loaded exited from Nablus and went through inspection; a bus with women and children was inspected by a soldier, but the passengers weren't made to get off.
At the pedestrian passage, those entering were randomly checked by a bored soldier. A military policewoman was joking provocatively with the soldiers; so much so that the checkpoint commander warned her, but didn't manage to calm her down. She acted that way in front of the Palestinians as well, with the help of the magnometer that she was holding. Perhaps because of boredom she suddenly chose a small and thin young woman, with an open face, and took her to the cell for a thorough inspection. They came out smiling, although the woman made a gesture of not understanding what was going on.
Two soldiers checked the pocketbook of a young woman at the entrance to Nablus, on the floor, as there was no table. She had to take all her personal possessions out in front of them while they were joking in Hebrew at her expense. At the exit everyone, including children, had to pass a thorough inspection.
8:45 – A bus with passengers was detained by soldiers at the exit. The bus broke down and was then fixed by a mechanic who also had a bus driver's license, but not for this bus…The mechanic was covered with grease but that did not help him convince the soldiers to allow him and his passengers through. They were sent back, after being detained for a little while to have their IDs checked. At the same time there were quick inspections of vehicles leaving Nablus.
9:10 – A normal and disgusting day. We leave after coffee at the kiosk which we favor.
14/10/2007 ,Afternoon
Aliya S., Alix W., Susan L. (reporting); Guests: Madeleine L., Mimi S., Larry G.
Summary
Today's shift served as a disturbing reminder of the ubiquity of man's inhumanity to man, and what Arendt called the "banality of evil." Today was the last day of the three day festival celebrating the end of Ramadan, Eid el Fitr, a time for joyous celebrations with families, a time of festivities and merriment, visits to the homes of friends and relatives with new clothes for everybody and gifts for the children. And the occupying forces, what knowledge or deference did they show for this, one of the two most important festivals in the Muslim calendar? When, if ever, had they been taught that everybody is of equal worth and deserves equal respect? When, if ever, had they encountered bigotry and prejudice in their own lives (forgetting, of course, their own thousands of years old history)? Instead, the occupier seemed to savor the idea that families are divided, and that family members are denied entry to join in the celebrations. If only these revelations would make "countless thousands mourn" (Robert Burns) when shown a portrait of "man's inhumanity to man."
16:45 Anabta
The bright red sign telling us, in English, Arabic and Hebrew, that Israelis can go no further as beyond lies "Area ?" , a blank, greets us. We note, however, that a handwritten sign is propped up against one of the checking posts, in the middle of the roadway, and written, in Hebrew only, is that "Area A" is ahead…..
The vehicles, taxis, private cars and buses that want to enter Tulkarm whiz by in the gloom of the early darkness. None are checked. As usual, the line from Tulkarm stretches far into the distance, and, again, as usual, many are checked. A carload of festival revellers, on their way to Tulkarm, tell us that it's already taken them three hours from Ramallah. Why? Because of the numerous checkpoints, because of the hardheartedness of the occupier whose only holidays and festivals are his own.
17:10 Gate 753
Here the revellers are the three soldiers who sit around idling the time away – smoking and making it clear to us that they have neither time nor interest in returning our greeting.
Ar Ras
Such a beautiful and heartrending sight greets us here: the sun setting behind the razor wire. Here the soldiers don't return our greeting. Instead, they initiate it (and they don't smoke on the job)! Few passing cars, several are checked, the solider at the checking post calling in IDs, but delay is but for a couple of minutes.
17:20 Gate 753 again
On our way back, there's a delay. The now non–smoking soldiers hold up a truck and cause a back up of vehicles and pedestrians coming out of Jubara. It's now dark, there are no lights until we come to the brightly lit up entry way to Israel:
Jubara
Here we've been told, only a short while ago, before heading up to the village, that we can't go to A-Ras, but then, the magic word, "Watch?" falls from the soldier's mouth in the form of a question, and we're on our way.
11/10/2007 ,Afternoon
Smadar H., Hagar L., Deb L. (reporting)
Ar Ras 14:20 – 15:07
In Jubara we stopped at the last house before the children's gate to drop off a holiday package to a teacher whom Tomi C.(MW member) has gotten to know. Smadar was able to speak to her in Arabic and she and her daughters were excited to receive Tomi's present and asked after her health. This helped us feel the holiday spirit of Eid El Fitr which was in the air .
At the Childrens' Gate we are told that only residents of Jubara are allowed in and those who have special permits. At the A Ras checkpoint there is a line of about 10 vehicles from Tul Karm being checked. The vehicles from Qalqilyia are not being checked. It takes about 13 minutes for the 10 th vehicle to get to the checkpoint. Some vehicles are stopped and the insides are checked as well as the IDs . Other vehicles are waved on. Some people are questioned as to where they are from and where they are going.
When we arrive a taxi is on the side while waiting for several of the passengers' IDs to be checked. The soldiers claim they had stopped the taxi a few minutes ago. While we are there the soldiers callein the ID numbers and within a few minutes they are released. The passengers are anxious to continue their journey and a soldier becomes irritated by their complaints and comes up very close to the driver in a threatening manner telling him to go back to his taxi. In general the soldiers are nervous. There is a misunderstanding when a soldier signals to a vehicle to come forward and a pedestrian thinks he means him so he comes forward and then the soldier who is checking pedestrians gets angry and aims his rifle at him. Cutting ahead on the vehicle line is not tolerated. The offending driver is lectured. Vehicles going to Jubara are allowed to come to the front of the line.
A soldier informs me that there is an alert. They are looking for someone from Tul Karm who is suppose to deliver something to someone in Qalqilyia. For the last few days Israeli Army forces have been in Qalqilyia and the soldier tells us that two Israeli soldiers were injured today. Despite this state of "alert" the soldiers are not wearing helmets.
We stop at the municipality in the village of A Ras to receive the list of people who have not gotten permission to get to their land which is on the other side of the fence. Hagar is working in the committee that is helping those who live on the "seam line" and suffer from the injustices of not being allowed to work their land.
As we head back to Jubara and on to Anabta we see a man from Jubarrah walking toward the A Ras checkpoint struggling with a huge, heavy carton and a large bag.
Anabta 15:21
At the moment there is no waiting line for vehicles going to or from Tul Karm. We are told by the soldier that checking is random today.
11/10/2007 ,Morning
Observers: Yardena T, Moria, Rachel A. Translator: Orna B
The roads and Road Blocks are practically empty. Very little traffic everywhere.
Anabta:
8 cars in each direction. The soldiers pass them through the road block rapidly and execute very few inspections.
At a certain stage the queue towards Tulkarm grew and we saw many UN cars as well as cars of several European diplomats.We did not manage to find out what was the event that brought them there. They passed through the road block very quickly.
We tried to find out from a soldier at the checkpoint what were his criteria for dealying a car for inspection.The answer was more or less that he just selects them according to his 'gut feeling'. It looked like it too, though he was very nice and friendly with everyone.
11/10/2007 ,Morning
Yardena T., Moriah, Rachel A. Translator.: Judith G
The roads and the checkpoint were empty. Very little traffic anywhere.
8:00 - At the entrance to the territories at the Perot Junction, there was a police vehicle stopped to inspect a car with merchandise on it. The rest of the cars were allowed to pass without inspection.
8:15 - the checkpoint at J'it Junction was not manned.
Beit Iba - the checkpoint was empty and quiet (and full of dust as usual). Almost no one leaving Nablus. Every few minutes one or two people would arrive and go through immediately. At the entrance to Nablus there was a little more action, but also very few people; they went through quickly with no delays. The IDs of the men were checked, and the women only randomly, not clear according to what criteria. It seemed as though they inspected a woman by herself and not when she was in a group. If that is so, is it or is it not essential for the security of Israel? Also the DCO officer, Y., and women from the Ecumenical organization said that it was terribly crowded yesterday at this hour, with hundreds waiting on the border of exploding in frustration. It isn't clear why there was such a difference today. The DCO thinks that after the University yesterday everyone had already gone home.
By the way, one of the representatives of the Ecumenical organization is a black woman from South Africa. She says that the situation reminds her of her own situation, 11 years ago. The constant need to identify yourself with IDs, in every place, and the restriction of certain areas into which blacks were not allowed to go.
Anabta - 8 vehicles in each direction, but the soldiers pass them through the checkpoint quickly and with little inspection. At a certain point, the line lengthened in the direction of Tulkarm and we saw a lot of vehicles of the UN and those of diplomats from several European countries. We couldn't find out what was going on, but they went through quickly. We tried to find out from a soldier in the inspection booth what his criteria were to detain a vehicle for inspection. The answer was, more or less, that it was according to his "gut feeling", and that is how it looked, although he was pleasant and friendly to everyone.
10/10/2007 ,Morning
Inbal D., Rina Ts. (reporting); Translation: Galia S.
Irtah
07:00 – Despite the late hour, there are many vehicles of Israeli employers and workers waiting for transportation. Nevertheless, there are no complains other than the one concerning the delay in the "rooms". One of the workers wants us to know that he and other Palestinians believe in the importance of values like human rights and equality among people of all religions.
The Agricultural Gate 753I
Two youngsters who had no entry permit to Jubara were allowed to enter after the soldiers had had it checked on the computer over the phone.
Ar-Ras checkpoint (Farm 8)
07:20 – Empty in both directions. A single car that comes from the direction of Tulkarm passes without inspection.
Anabta (Einav)
07:40 – 07:55 – Thirteen cars from the direction of Tulkarm. It seems that the inspection is slow, because many get out of the taxis and pass the checkpoint on foot. One taxi driver is sent back. The soldiers claim that he has passed the line. He denies, but eventually he gives in and returns to the end of the line. Another driver who has passed the line is sent back. Taxi drivers would rather not waist precious time on waiting at the checkpoint. They lose the customers who pass on foot and take another taxi. The soldier who stands guard at the post keeps aiming the weapon at the drivers looking through the sight of the gun. We are sorry we forgot the camera.
It is possible that our presence here has expedited the inspection. Within 15 minutes the line has almost disappeared.
10/10/2007 ,Afternoon
Michal Sh, Dalia G.
Translator Orna B
Jubara Road Block 14:30
No queues at all. Vehicles are waiting for a very short time and then pass. We visited the family of Abu Hatem and brought them pastries that Tami had sent them for their holiday.
A-Ras Road Block15:00
Traffic flows freely in the direction of Tulkarm with no inspection. At the exit from Tulkarm every car is checked rapidly, especially the driver. His paper is taken away from him for comparison with the soldier's list, and then returned to him. A cab that has overtaken is sent to the end of the queue. The driver refuses and then his paper is taken away from him. He has no choice but to yield and return to the end of the queue. When his turn comes his paper will be returned to him. (Let that be lesson to him for next time).
15:15 We leave inthe direction of Anabta. At the children's gate about 15 are awaiting inspection. They are returning from Jubara to Tulkarm. They are inspected one by one and then pass.
Anabta 15:45
Everything flowing in both direction. No apprent problems. We leave in the direction of Beit Iba.
10/10/2007 ,Morning
Inbal D., Rina Ts. (reporting)
Translation: Galia S.
Irtah
07:00 – Despite the late hour, there are many vehicles of Israeli employers and workers waiting for transportation. Nevertheless, there are no complains other than the one concerning the delay in the "rooms". One of the workers wants us to know that he and other Palestinians believe in the importance of values like human rights and equality among people of all religions.
The Agricultural Gate 753
Two youngsters who had no entry permit to Jubara were allowed to enter after the soldiers had had it checked on the computer over the phone.
Ar-Ras checkpoint (Farm 8)
07:20 – Empty in both directions. A single car that comes from the direction of Tulkarm passes without inspection.
Anabta (Einav)
07:40 – 07:55 – Thirteen cars from the direction of Tulkarm. It seems that the inspection is slow, because many get out of the taxis and pass the checkpoint on foot. One taxi driver is sent back. The soldiers claim that he has passed the line. He denies, but eventually he gives in and returns to the end of the line. Another driver who has passed the line is sent back. Taxi drivers would rather not waist precious time on waiting at the checkpoint. They lose the customers who pass on foot and take another taxi. The soldier who stands guard at the post keeps aiming the weapon at the drivers looking through the sight of the gun. We are sorry we forgot the camera.
It is possible that our presence here has expedited the inspection. Within 15 minutes the line has almost disappeared.
09/10/2007 ,Morning
Ruti C, Elinoar B (reporting)
Anabta
09:15-09:30 - very few cars, hardly any checks.
Ar-Ras
09:45-10:15 - an encounter with the Likkud group of women called Women in Blue and White. From afar we identify the wide-brimmed hat of the tall one, Yael. Upon reaching the checkpoint we hear the short one, Rikka, scream: Go on to the village! The Arabs are murderers! They'll scalp you! We decide not to run away, and we get out of the car. We are aware that normal observation is impossible, but escaping is not a good idea either. There are four of them today, one somewhat older and seemingly more normal. Yael repeats again and again, literally scores of times, in a low monotonous voice: "Idiots, you are endangering the soldiers!" Even her friends seem to lose patience with her. Rikka yells: "You know what they used to call you? Arafat whores! That's what you are! Arafat whores!" I lift my cellphone camera and try to shoot them, the camera is not working. I pretend to take their photos anyway. Yael approaches me and hits me in the face with her bag, again and again and again. I only say quietly "don't you dare touch me!" The older one seems to be slightly embarrassed, the fourth woman curses and yells. We just laugh, and this drives them crazy. Rikka decides to do something, "I'll show you!" she stoops down to pick a stone. The checkpoint commander, who witnessed the whole scene, tried weakly once or twice to calm them down. We didn't speak to him, didn't ask him to interfere.
07/10/2007 ,Afternoon
Aliya S., Alix W. (reporting)
16:30 Anabta
There are 10 vehicles waiting to enter Tulkarm and none coming out. Israeli vehicles are waved through without any check, while Palestinians taxis are often stopped and checked sporadically
The fig vendor is no longer here, two weeks ago he had shown us a letter from the authorities to move from the spot because he was obstructing the flow of traffic, since last week he was gone.
17:00 Ar-Ras
Very quiet, hardly any traffic, the soldiers are very friendly, actually the only ones that spoke to us the entire day.
Jubara
We ended our day stopping in at Abu Ghatem and his family, his grandson was visiting so it was a joyful end to another stressful day at the checkpoints.
