'Azzun

 

13:45

 The Habla gate is open. The bus carrying the children coming home from school is inspected rigorously and goes through. Six cars loaded with seedlings cross to the plant nursery. A horse cart and five people cross after being inspected.

14:15

 The gate closes. We continue to Azzun where Petahya arranged a meeting with an activist who’ll update us about the situation with work permits.

15:00

 Azzun. A.G. welcomed us on his porch. He told us his brother-in-law had submitted applications for 9 people; one was granted and the others never received an answer.

The Israeli DCO limits the number of permits that can be granted by the Palestinian DCO.

Azzun’s lands are surrounded by a horseshoe formed by the settlements of Ma’aleh Shomron and Alfey Mensashe. Residents of Azzun have no crossing gate, so they aren’t able to request permits. The army allots them two days to cross via the security road in order to reach their trees to pick the olives.

There is no access to Palestinian land and olive trees located in Alfey Menashe and Ma’aleh Shomron. When they have a permit they must use the Eliyahu crossing. It’s a long detour and the security inspections are irksome.

15:20

We reached the pastoral area where they’re picking olives in Azzun. Seated in the shade of the trees, we listened to our Palestinian hosts describe the difficulties they face daily, how the sewage from the settlements flows past their water tower and pollutes Azzun’s drinking water.

We took A.G.’s information, to try and help.

15:40

 We left Azzun’s olive groves and the harvesters.

 

On 17.7.2012 we’d met with the spokesman for the Azzun municipality following a report in the Arab press that the IDF had arrested eight youths in the middle of the night. Today we met him again.

 

11:45

Eliyahu checkpoint – One auto being inspected, trunk open; a dog handler and his dog are also participating.

 

11:55

 Azzun – Meeting with Hassan Shbeita, the municipal spokesman.

 

Yesterday branches were lopped off three trees next to the road. Afterwards a video was taken of the result. They still don’t know who cut the trees. A firm is working there, repairing the road, and they may have found it necessary to do it (for some unknown reason). But it’s also possible that settlers assuaged their anger on the trees. The woman who owns the land will file a complaint with the Palestinian police.

 

The olive harvest begins next week. He doesn’t have a record of how many people applied for permits to reach their groves, and how many received them. The adults leave for the harvest in the morning and their children join them after school. They must cross Highway 55 in order to reach their land. Last year the soldiers in the observation tower were afraid the children intended to throw rocks at settlers’ cars passing on the road, and arrested them. Their request: to allow the children to reach their parents’ lands in order to help them harvest the olives.

 

Karin tells him about the new forms they have to fill out in order to obtain permits. It turns out they don’t know about them. They’ll contact the Palestinian DCO.

 

The most urgent problem is to allow tractors and vehicles south of Azzun and west of Ma’aleh Shomron. Vehicles aren’t able to go through the northern crossing near Ma’aleh Shomron; the area is strewn with heavy boulders.

 

Bulldozers which had been working in the area of the high tension electric antennas serving the settlers cut the roots of venerable trees. All of them died.

 

Last week the army arrived for a surprise inspection. They drove around the locality a few times and arrested a man who’d been tried in the past, served 4 years in prison and was released. His family still doesn’t know where he is. We gave Hassan the phone number of the human rights lawyers and also suggested he contact Yesh Din.

 

When we were here in July we were told about eight youths who’d been accused of throwing rocks at settlers’ cars and sent to the Megiddo prison. Hassan tells us about one of them, 16 years old, who after being harshly interrogated and tortured agreed to sign whatever they put before him and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. They don’t allow his mother to visit him. The other youths were sentenced to 5, 8 and 9 years, and each of them was fined NIS 5,000, an amount none of their families can pay.

 

13:10

 We say goodbye and leave Azzun.

13:20

 Jayyous – We visit N. and give the family parcels of clothing and toys.

13:30

 Eliyahu crossing – Three vehicles being inspected. Light traffic.

 

Habla – The checkpoint is closed. No one can enter or leave.

 

The end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

06:30  Eliyahu Gate

A very small line for pedestrians.  3 cars being inspected.  We continued immediately to the entrance of Qalqilya for a meeting with someone who had been blacklisted by the GSS, in order to get his signature on some forms.

 

7:00  Izbatt Tabib

All lot of children already leaving their houses on the way to school at Azun and Izbat Tabib.  We decided to travel to the school, since we were told that there were problems and that the IDF had arrived and was harassing the children.  It was quiet near the school.  A youth came out and, despite our protests, he called M. and woke him up.  He sat us on chairs near the entrance to the school, opposite the garden where the "protests" had been organized.  There were a number of signs in Arabic and Hebrew, and a pergola.  A Palestinian flag and some small flags.  Chickens were wandering around on the road between the playground and the houses.  We spent the next half an hour in conversation with M., after he got organized and prepared coffee for us.  Meanwhile, the children were arriving at school, happy and cheerful and they stood in ranks for the beginning of the school day.  We heard a megaphone broadcasting slogans and songs, and then quiet - they entered the classrooms.

 

M. says that the IDF arrives from time to time and sets up flying checkpoints,etc., but he didn't say anything about harassment of the children, except when they go to their homes and search for children who "threw stones".  M. said, "How can they throw stones on the road after they have built the fence?"  According to him there are 50 children in the school, and also someone came from Ramadin (a Bedouin tribe which lives on the Israeli side of the fence) who brought children to the school, which he considered to be better than the school in his area.  There are 40 houses in the village, out of which about 35 have demolition orders.  The village is in Area C, so they can't get building permits, or permits for "natural growth", as they can on the Jewish settlements.  He also told us that the village was created because his grandfather bought 100 dunams there and settled one of his wives there.  The others lived with him in the area of Raanana, in a village named Tubsur.  When they were evicted in 1948, the whole family moved to live near their fields here, and they are here since then. Today a lawyer is due to submit a petition at the High Court, against the demolition of the school.

 

08:20  Habla

Very few people are waiting, and they go through quickly; everyone who arrives, goes through quickly on both directions, including cars belonging to Omar, the owner of the nursery, and others.


--

 

  

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

 

  

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

Subject: trans. Eliyahu Gate, Jayous, habla, Nebi Elias Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Eliyahu Gate, Jayous agricultural gate, Habla, Nebi Elias, Mon. AM, 3.9.12

Observers: Niba D., Varda Z. (new member), Ronni S. (reporting).Translator:
Judith Green

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

Judith Green
            972 2 6732828      
            054 214 2669      

 

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

 

  

 

05:45 Eliyahu Gate
We see only a few workers waiting to cross.  Two cars at the inspection
booth.

06:00
We move to 'Azzun.  It is still dark, and it seems as though everyone is
asleep.

06:10  Jayuus Agricultural Gate
Here everyone is already up and the sun is rising.  We meet Ecumenical
volunteers whom we had arranged to see.  Tractors and large vans are going
through.
A car arrives with an elderly couple, whom we know greet us, and those going to open
the irrigation system for their avocado grove and lemon trees.
A farmer who owns a lot of land stops next to us and, at our request, gives
a report that the municipality will submit requests for an organized olive
harvest.  We told him that there are new forms which will allow them to make
requests for both workers and family members, even if the land is not
registered in their name and that it is worthwhile checking if they have
received these forms.  He told us with great joy that he had received, for
the first time. a permit to stay overnight in the field (he and his wife),
but did not receive permission to go in their new jeep.  The Ecumenicals
told us that the schools opened this week and they are observing at the
checkpoints where the children pass through.  On Sunday they waited for the
buses of children in the morning at Habla.
They reported that on Sunday, a young Palestinian who seemed to have gotten
through the fence at 'Azzun 'Atma escaped from the soldiers who were chasing
him, fell and apparently died of a heart attack.  The village chief of Nebi
Elias reported the same event to us, but he said that the soldiers fired on
the youth who was escaping and killed him.

06:40
We leave the checkpoint which closed a bit late, because a tractor arrived
at the last minute.

06:55
A lot of workers waiting at the exit for their transportation.

07:00 Eliyahu Gate
7 cars and a small pink bus, which turned out to be the bus which arrives
from Qalqilyah daily and takes the children from the Ramadin tribe by way of
the Habla checkpoint to the school in Habla, wait for inspection.

07:05  Habla checkpoint
The elderly guard from the nursery, who returns to his home in Habla every
morning, has already been waiting for 20 minutes, so he says, until the
officer is kind enough to let him pass.
Also a driver arrives, who goes back and forth every day;  however, he needs
to wait each time and go through inspection.  He is less patient.

07:15
Two buses with children arrive.  Their drivers get off and come up to the
Gate for inspection.  There is a new driver, who doesn't know the procedures
yet, and asks to go right through.  They call the officer
and finally everyone goes through.   The buses are not inspected.
Groups of workers coming from the Habla side go through inspection
relatively quickly (5 workers in 3-4 minutes).

7:30
Another guard from the nursery arrives with a donkey and cart and waits
patiently until they notice him.  He speaks good Hebrew and tells us that on
the previous evening there was a long article on the Lebanese Al Quds TV
station about MachsomWatch!  Naturally, very supportive, and they said that
the MachsonWatch women are among the few people who help the Palestinians
and empathize with their suffering.

7:50
The line shortens but there is a steady flow of new people.  We leave and go
to the village of Nebi Elias to meet the village head, G. in order to speak
about the coming olive harvest.  The meeting takes place in his sewing
workshop.
Nebi Elias is on Highway 55, a little after the turnoff to Qalqilya and the
settlement of Tzofim.  Highway 55 passes Eliyahu Gate like a sort of sleeve,
on one end of which is the settlement Alfei Menashe and, on the other end,
the settlement of Tzofim and Nebi Elias on either side of the road.  A large
portion of its land was taken when they built Tzofim and the fence;  a long
and exhaustive  court case did, this time, succeed, and the fence was moved
nearer to the settlement and most of their land on this side of the fence
was returned to them.
On the side of Alfei Menashe, the fence passes close to the village and the
olive groves are situated right underneath Alfei Menashe; only people wth
special permits can go onto their land.  They must go through the Eliyahu
Gate and along a path which comes to the side of the hill where the olive
trees are.  They are allowed to enter only with a donkey and cart and it is
forbidden to bring any vehicle or tractors.  From the time when the
checkpoint passed into private hands, their situation has worsened.
There is a well on the land and they are allowed to bring only 2 pails of
gasoline at a time which can only work the well for 2 hours!  One can see
the lands very close to the village and all the paths which the farmers used
to use to go straight from their homes to their orchards.  Today, the fence
and the security road prevent them from reaching their land.
Another serious problem is that most of the lands of the village are in Area
C and it is forbidden to build there even a shed for their sheep.  They are
requesting permits for tractors to enter the area.
G. speaks fluent Hebrew, works with an Israeli textile workshop and knows a
lot of what is going on.  In another month there will be elections to the
PNA, both in the villages and in the cities.  He says that he is tired and
wants to retire.  We all prayed for better times and went home.

 

  

 

 

 

 

06:00  We drove toward the Tamar gate from the entrance to Oranit (The Tamar gate is the southern agricultural gate of 'Azzun 'Atma; it adjoins the road parallel to it on the south side.  That road is closed at both ends by gates, one of which is open when the Tamar gate is open.  The farmers leave through the Tamar gate and can freely access their groves or reach the main road leading to the settlements to get to work.  In our last report we noted that we’d heard an additional fence had been erected south of the road, which is now hemmed in between two fences; access from it to the groves is via an additional gate in the new fence which also involves a tale (that has already been told).  We wanted to try to see what’s happening.  And in fact, the road from the direction of Oranit is blocked by a gate which is closed.

 

06:10 'Azzun 'Atma, south.  A few people wait outside.  Two inspection stations operate normally.  Fewer people on line as well – maybe 50 waiting to cross; about 20 went through in ten minutes.  Laborers with belongings leave them before the gate and after their documents have been inspected return to go through the gate and collect their things.  Today, unlike the usual arrangement, a soldier opens and closes the gate which isn’t usually locked – the gate is locked and each time an MP must get the key from the checkpoint commander, open the gate, close it and return the key to the commander.  Pretty funny.  It reminds me of the keys held by the housekeeper in the home of a British aristocrat, who would give them temporarily to one of the servants to remove something from a cupboard and immediately take them back.

 

06:20  We returned toward the Tamar gate on the other side of the road.  The soldiers arrived at 06:30, opened the gate, closed it leaving a small opening (without locking it), to make it clear to us that we weren’t allowed to enter.  Soon those crossing to the main road on their way to work began flowing in.  From where we stood we couldn’t see the gates, nor were we able to find somewhere else to stand which allowed us to view them, nor the new gate erected next to the well, so we couldn’t learn anything beyond the facts that those crossing told us about, but they didn’t know whether it was open or whether it opened only at specific times.  Now the gate is open from 06:30 to 07:00.

 

07:00  Habla – The soldiers begin opening the gates. 

07:07  The first people coming through entered for inspection.  A night watchman from the plant nurseries arrives.  His permit is valid only for Gate 109 (Eliyahu), but he lives in Habla.  He wanted to take a shortcut rather than wait until he can get a ride to 109; he’s very old.  The soldiers didn’t permit him to cross, despite his appeals.  He’s already been to the DCO; they told him they can alter the permit only when it expires – in mid-September – but it’s now Ramadan, and it’s hard for him?  Who cares.  There are rules; that’s that.

 

07:30  Eliyahu gate – 109 – The occupation routine.  A Palestinian who’d gone through the checkpoint and took a shortcut to the parking lot to catch a ride to work was reprimanded and made to take the longer route designated for Palestinians.  He’s forbidden to walk on the Jews’ path.  A few cars being inspected, as usual; few laborers go through.

 

08:15  Falamya – Quiet.  An elderly woman arrives on the security road from the fields.  She’s already returning from her land, to which she came early in the morning.  Now she must walk all the way to Beit Jamal, because of the fence, and it’s impossible to walk directly home from her field.  The distance must be at least 3-4 kilometers in each direction.  A car arrives from the fields and enters after a brief inspection. 

 

Meeting with the Azzun municipality’s spokesman following a report last week in an Arabic newspaper about eight youths who had been arrested by the IDF in the middle of the night.

 

 

12:30

Shomron gate – no vehicles at the checkpoint

 

12:45

An army Hummer at the Yakir junction

 

13:00

Azzun. We came to meet Hassan Shvita, the municipal spokesman, but found him hosting three Ecumenicals, women from EAPPI who live in Jayyous. While we waited we sat with Majid Adwan, the deputy mayor and administrative director. He’d learned Hebrew while studying business administration at Al Najah University, but hadn’t used the language since. He finished his studies 14 years ago, and has worked since then for the municipality, first as a clerk, and was subsequently promoted to other positions. When Hassan was free we moved to his office.

We’d come to learn about the arrests. Both of them gave us detailed information and then immediately told us about their new troubles: stop-work orders on two buildings under construction. But particularly burdensome for them, every day, every hour, is that the main road east toward Nablus/Jericho is blocked (and they also asked what they can do about it).

 

The arrests:

They showed us the press release they’d issued about the incident last Wednesday night. They told us that for years the army has occasionally been coming at night to arrest youths accused of throwing rocks, and other suspects. But last month things got worse. Last Wednesday, 11.7.12, many soldiers (200-300) came to Azzun at 1 AM, invaded the homes and made all the inhabitants go outside. Hassan is angry that the soldiers don’t just enter the “suspect’s” home, but also invade all the surrounding homes, along with their dogs, and remain until dawn. The searches are violent; they don’t just open doors, they kick them in and break them down with their guns. While searching the house they upend and break the furniture. Hassan said they didn’t find anything, but that you don’t know whether they plant something in the home while the inhabitants are outside. The children are traumatized; they’ll never forget what they saw.

Hassan asked the soldiers, “Why?”; the soldier replied, “I want you to fear.” Hassan answered, “You’re only making more enemies. After tonight you’ve more people in every house who hate you.”

This time they took 8 Palestinians directly (which was unusual) to the Megiddo prison. They haven’t yet been indicted. Their ages: 16, 28, 16, 16, 38, 26, 17, 16.

About 100 residents of Azzun are currently in the Megiddo prison, 34 of them children (under 16). Hassan thinks they’re delaying their trial until they reach 16, when they can be given longer sentences. He shows us a file as an example:

In April, 2011, seven children aged 14-15 were taken from their homes; they’ve been in the Megiddo prison since. Their trial was held on 19.6.12. In other words, they were imprisoned without trial for more than a year. Their sentences – 5-15 years imprisonment (he showed us the list) and a NIS 5000 fine for each, which must be paid by 19.8.12, or else their sentences will be lengthened.

The accusation: throwing rocks at a female settler’s car.

The judge is from Karnei Shomron; Hassan says “he hates Arabs” and decided to deal severely with the residents of Azzun to teach them a lesson.

 

Stop-work orders:

Azzun is located in the Qalqilya sub-district, on the road between Nablus and Qalqilya (Highway 55), about 8 kilometers east of Qalqilya. The town has some 11,000 inhabitants, most of them Moslems, with a minority of Christians. Part of the town is in Area C. It has about 1600 houses, of which 200-250 are located in Area C.

The Civil Administration doesn’t grant construction permits to families with land in Area C who wish to build on it, even though it’s obligated to prepare plans that serve as the basis for granting permits. Parts of Area C are more sensitive and parts are less so. There are areas where people build and the army turns a blind eye, and others where they’re issued demolition orders. The two buildings that received stop-work orders are in Area C, in west Azzun, between Highway 55 and the road connecting Azzun with Izbat Tabib.

Two days ago H., from Karnei Shomron, arrived; he’s the responsible official from the Civil Administration. He photographed two buildings and issued stop-work orders to their owners. Their trial has been scheduled for 13.8.12. Hassan explains that the municipality can’t do anything to oppose the stop-work and demolition orders. All it can do is supply buildings in Area C with water and electricity.

To demonstrate how helpless they are in the face of the authorities he tells us of an enterprise in Azzun whose application to the Civil Administration for a building permit was denied. The owners were notified that the structure would be demolished that afternoon, that they should remove all the equipment. But the bulldozers arrived at 06:30 in the morning and demolished everything, the building and its contents, before the owner could remove anything. Hassan invited foreign TV journalists to film the rubble.

 

Blocking the main road to the east

Azzun sits at the junction of the main road from Qalqilya to Nablus (which used to go through Azzun until the Highway 55 bypass was built), and the road from the villages to the south (Deir Balut, Siniriyya, Thulat) and Jayyous, and then to Tulkarm. Its lands spread in every direction. Today it’s surrounded by the settlements that were erected on its lands: Karnei Shomron and Ma’aleh Shomron to the east and southeast, and Alfei Menashe to the west.

We remember the many years Azzun was surrounded, when most of the entrances and exists were blocked. Today the main entrance from Highway 55 is wide and well-marked (the bar of the gate remains as a souvenir); the only remaining roadblock is at the eastern exit, toward Karnei Shomron. That prevents cars, and in particular public transportation, from going through the town from east to west, and north, to collect and let off passengers along the way, instead of leaving them at the northern entrance. They say there’s almost no traffic on the road they want to connect to, because an internal road has been paved for the settlers from Karnei Shomron to Ma’aleh Shomron.

Before we part, Hassan gets in the car to show us around. Some sections of the road after we leave the town are in poor condition. Before the junction with the highway we reach a high-tension electric pylon erected two weeks ago to serve the settlers. The gray gate was installed in its honor, and the concrete cubes blocking the road were moved slightly. He shows us below a road on which Palestinians are forbidden to drive. Incidentally, they’re not allowed to repair the road that’s in poor condition. The lord won’t agree.

17:10

 Eliyahu crossing. Six cars wait for inspection in the far right-hand lane, all with yellow license plates. Cars wait in the other lanes as well, but traffic flows. I notice a dog and take out my camera. About eight security people in civilian clothing rush at us from every direction, informing us that this is a military installation, that photography is forbidden.

My camera is taken and the photo erased. Ordnung muss sein!

 

The end.

 

 

Comment 1:  “Is it normal for a person to have to be inspected at a checkpoint and pass through a fence in order to go from his village to his ancestral lands…?  That’s what a Palestinian asked after leaving his car by the side of the road to the Falamya checkpoint and crossing on foot to his lands.

Comment 2:  The Eliyahu checkpoint (crossing) has become a park, blooming with shrubs, trees and flowers;  paved paths, bordered by carpets of bright green artificial grass and mosaic pavements in the Spanish Gaudi style.  This “park” is like the Chanukkah candles, only to look at, not to be used.  It’s at the entrance on the Israeli side. (Photos of this artistic creation to follow).

I can’t think of a heading for my two comments, but I feel they’re connected…

 

06:05 'Azzun 'Atma

Laborers who’ve already gone through the checkpoint sit outside eating breakfast.  They say “the checkpoint is normal today.”  About 70 people wait to cross, but more keep arriving so the line doesn’t get any shorter.

Twenty people at a time are let through the revolving gate and then wait for document inspection.  Both computers are working and inspection is quick.  The gate people must go through to collect their belongings is also open; people enter freely with no delays. (which just shows how unnecessary it is).

People coming through are much calmer.  Their long, hard day may begin slightly less stressed.

06:35  A man who got on line when we arrived comes through 30 minutes later.

The line has shortened, apparently because the crossing is quicker and calmer.  We see that it’s possible.

 

06:40  Tamar gate

More Palestinians are crossing here, which may relieve some of the pressure at the main gate.

 

07:02  Habla

The soldiers are here already, but haven’t begun letting people cross.

L., the MP who ensures that justice prevails, opens the gate and orders inspections to begin.

07:05  The first five enter and come out 2.5 minutes later.  The second five waiting at the forward revolving gate have already entered.

The elderly guard from the plant nurseries who arrived with his donkey cart when we did waits patiently for his “turn.”

One of the soldiers asks why we’re not doing anything about the donkey who’s tied inhumanely with a rope that’s too short.  When I comment that this isn’t the only inhumane thing here the second soldier changes the topic in an attempt at humor.  It’s the turn of the elderly guard to enter for a quick inspection, including a rapid check of his cart and belongings, and he goes through.

26 people crossed in twelve minutes.  The line doesn’t get shorter because additional people keep joining it.

 

07:35  Eliyahu checkpoint

I already commented on the “beauty” of the entrance.

No Palestinians wait to enter.

Three cars are being inspected, doors open, dogs in action.  A car with Israeli plates exits the inspection area toward Israel.

 

07:50  Heavy road-paving equipment is parked at the entrance to 'Azzun.

We drive to the Falamya agricultural gate that’s open all day for farmers with permits to reach their land on the other side of the separation fence.

08:00  We meet a farmer who has a crossing permit for himself but not for his car, which he leaves in the shade of a tree and goes through on foot to his land.  He asks whether we’ve heard of any other country in the world where such things happen…

A few tractors show up, carrying riders.  All are inspected and go through.  One tractor drives on the security road and turns left to the fields far off toward Kochav Yair.

 

08:30  We drive to Kafr Jimal, to find out what the situation is.

Z., who owns the grocery, and his wife welcome us happily.  They’ve renovated the grocery and installed a new air conditioner.

They talk about the situation, hope things will be quiet and that everyone will be able to make a living.

The additional agricultural gate that was examined by the DCO head wasn’t approved, but they (and we) were promised that it would open for the olive harvest and the plowing.  We’ll follow up on that promise.

The village is quiet.  It has good relations with Sla’it, the nearby settlement, which doesn’t harass them.  Many of the villagers work in the factories in Sla’it, and farmers also go through the gate near the settlement without interference to work their lands.  The army doesn’t come to the village, nor to Jayyus nearby.

 

09:30  An armored vehicle is by the roadside outside of 'Azzun on our way back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jayyus, Falamya and Habla are seam zone checkpoints whose purpose is to maintain the “fabric of life” of Palestinian farmers who are cut off from their lands by the separation barrier.  They’re known as “gates.”  Other than Falamya, which is open all day, the others are open for about an hour in the morning, afternoon and evening.  Traffic through Jayyus and Falamya is light, restricted to the few Palestinians barely making a living from agriculture.  More people go through Habla, which is near Qalqilya and Jilijliya.

 

The Occupation routine at the agricultural checkpoints:

 

12:00 Jayyus 

The soldiers arrive a few minutes after we do.  No one crossed in the half hour we stood there.

 

12:40  Falamya

An elderly woman waits on a donkey cart.  Her husband shows their documents to the soldiers seated under a canopy.  They’re coming from their field on the Israeli side of the barrier.  Five minutes after we arrive he returns to the cart and they cross to the Palestinian side.  Their cart is small, just a few boards nailed together.  A pile of khubeiza leaves they probably picked in the fields for lunch.  Twenty minutes later, driving back to the road to Jayyus on the track leading to the checkpoint, we pass them.  They’d proceeded only a few hundred meters.

 

A man riding a bicycle comes from Falamya toward the Israeli side of the barrier.  We watch and learn how complicated is the procedure for crossing.  He leaves the bicycle in the middle of the checkpoint, walks to a small yellow gate.  He rings the bell, a female soldier seated in a building (called a “blocker”) opens the gate.  Then he must go through the revolving gate which is also operated by that soldier.  He goes into the building for about four minutes.  He exits the other end, returns to the yellow gate for his bicycle.  His field is the one closest to the gate; we see him stop a little way past the checkpoint.  Another farmer joins him, also riding a bicycle.  He arrives from the security road (which is supposed to be restricted to military vehicles) and doesn’t have to go through inspection.

 

[Photo:  The “blocker” at the Falamya checkpoint]

 

At the exit from 'Azzun, on our way to Habla, we gave a ride to a woman going to Qalqilya.  She stood at the junction of Highway 55 and the road to 'Azzun, wearing a hijab.  I mention this to indicate that her ethnicity was clear.  Nora turned left toward the Elias checkpoint.  I don’t think she’d broken any laws, though I was still turned around talking to the woman who sat in the back.  But Nora might have made the turn without giving the right of way to cars coming from the right.  I saw a car with yellow license plates coming toward us fast, the driver blew the horn and when the car reached us remained dangerously close.  Nora moved to the shoulder to avoid it and stopped.  We sat paralyzed in the car.  The other car stopped ahead of us, two people got out, apparently a woman and her son.  The woman approached us threateningly.  She was heavy-set, waving her hands at us.  When she reached us she leaned in through the driver’s window, her face next to Nora’s.  She wasn’t irate because of Nora’s driving.  She began yelling, “Stinking leftist, stupid bitch, murderers, you Peace Now always photographing” she spat, “What are you thinking, driving like an idiot, irresponsibly.”  She kept repeating herself for a few minutes, then her son joined her (he’d waited a while in the car – to jot down our license number?), banging angrily on the hood of the car in which we sat.  When they finally moved away the mother turned toward us again and made a motion as if she were photographing.  We sat paralyzed in the car the entire time.  I didn’t even do the minimum, write down their license number.

 

13:20  Habla

Twenty Palestinians wait on the Israeli side, including a man with a horse cart (photo attached), 9 on the Palestinian side.

 

[Photo:  Habla, laborers waiting on the Israeli side]

 

They enter the building in two groups of five, one group from each side of the checkpoint.  One member of the group collects the IDs from the other four.  He’ll give them to the officer seated inside.  It takes 7-12 minutes for a group of five to go through.  We understand how much they’re in a hurry and how annoying is this pointless wait under the burning sun when the group on the Palestinian side numbers only four people, instead of five.  The laborers next to us adopt the checkpoint’s strange rules that have been imposed on them, and yell to those on the other side that it’s their turn to go in.  At 13:45 everyone on our side had crossed.

 

Vehicle/agricultural-vehicle crossing – the driver leaves the vehicle at the side of the checkpoint, goes through the building like a pedestrian, his ID remains with the soldier at the other side of the checkpoint, the driver returns to the vehicle and gets his ID back after he drives through.

 

Much of the interaction at the Habla checkpoint involves the adjacent plant nurseries, all of which have warehouses on the Palestinian side of the barrier.  The owners must bring tools through the checkpoint (drills, vehicles with seedlings) or agricultural vehicles (tractor).  The procedure:  a worker arrives with the tool, a second gives his ID to the soldier, goes through the checkpoint, gets the tool and retrieves his ID on his way back.

 

A young man crosses carrying a bag with new jeans.  He’s not allowed to bring them through.  The MP responded to our question that the jeans might have been bought in Tel Aviv, which means that he entered Israel illegally (it’s easy to get to Israel once you’re on the Israeli side of the checkpoint).  The man says he bought the jeans in Qalqilya (maybe the laborers should be required to save their receipts?).  The MP says that those are the officer’s orders, and “that’s that.”  We guess the man will have to wait until the checkpoint closes (in 15 minutes), and then go through with the jeans.  But the problem is solved when a woman he knows goes through the checkpoint to Israel.  He gives her the bag and goes through the checkpoint (our guess – tomorrow he’ll come wearing shorts, will meet the woman in Qalqilya, put on the new jeans and the pants made of lightweight fabric won’t take up much room in his backpack).

 

14:00  We left.