Burin (Yitzhar)

Translation: Suzanne O.

Unbelievable –the yellow barrier which blocked the road from Awarta to Nablus is open.

Azzun Atma

6:35 a.m. 

A very short queue at the exit, less than twenty people, in spite of the fact that only two checkpoints are functioning.  As already noted, two additional positions have been prepared.  The renovations continue.  The electronic turnstile is not working and the labourers cross via a new gate beside it which is wide open.  It will be possible for women or those returning to pass through without the need to open the gate for vehicles.

The awnings to protect from the weather have not yet been installed.  That's probably why it isn't raining yet.

Reservists are here and working efficiently.  There was also an additional group of soldiers who came to check that everything is as it should be.  We asked what was going on with the binoculars reported on last week.  They answered that it was before they arrived and, as far as they know, the binoculars have not been found.

Shomron Crossing

7:00 a.m. 

There are no police at the exit from Israel.

Za'tara/Tapuach

7:20 a.m. 

We didn't see soldiers in the positions; there was a soldier in the lookout tower.

There was a lot of traffic on the way up the hill.

Yitzhar/Borin roadblocks

There is no military activity.

Beit Furik

7:55 a.m. 

There are no soldiers.  There is no flag flying.

We visited the village and asked about the municipality election results.  It appears that in Beit Furik the official candidate of Fatah was elected.  But what is no less important – more than a third of those eligible to vote did not do so because they are in favour of Hamas.

Awarta

8:00 a.m. 

Halleluiah – The chain that locked the yellow barrier is gone.  The iron barrier is now open and vehicles can cross to and from Nablus. We asked one of the taxi drivers how long since the change and he said about two days.  He was not sure that the army did it (?!) and he fears that the people from Itamar will soon lock it again.  (As we have already said they are the Lords of the country.)  He asked us to act to ensure that the way will remain open because it saves both time and fuel.

Huwwara

8:10 a.m. 

We didn't see any soldiers in the lookout tower.  However there are green and Israeli flags flying.

On the way up to Bracha – we didn't see any soldiers.

Borin/Yitzhar

There is no military activity.

Za'tara/Tapuach

8:25 a.m. 

There are no soldiers in the positions; there is still heavy traffic on the main road.  Two soldiers armed to the teeth guard a young woman settler at the hitchhiker's station on the way up to Ariel.

At Shomron Crossing there is no queue and the examination is, as usual, superficial.

13:45

The Habla Gate was conducted as usual, a soldier told us that the Palestinians tried the night before to infiltrate to Israel by way of a gap which they made in the gate and they were caught after they were already outside the gate. The soldiers saw that there was a movement from the observation point, the soldier said that they were many, about ten people. According to the soldier they said that they wanted to get out to look for work, and each paid the sum of 250IS to an Israeli driver who was to transport them.

We continued to Huwwara, the CP was empty. On our way we entered Burin. The Cuban woman whose son is in prison asked us to buy oil from her to enable her to pay the fine which was imposed on her son – 4000IS plus 1000IS lawyer's fee.

At the entrance to Burin there were three military trucks driving around.

14:30

Azoun Atma – a long queue of workers. The checking is very slow, and when we arrived everything began to flow and within a few moments all the workers were inside.

15:54 –

a flying CP on the main road in Huwwara.

The Za'atara CP wasn't manned.

 Translator:  Charles K.

“Checkpoints bring peace”is the sign inside the new structure at the Azzun Atma checkpoint.

06:15  Azzun Atma:  We were last here a month ago; the construction and roadworks at the checkpoint are almost finished.  Today, because of the holiday, only one inspection station operates.  There’s no line at all, the few laborers arriving at the checkpoint cross without problems.  A group of laborers gets out of a contractor’s vehicle after a night shift; the morning shift hurries to take their place.

A huge red sign is posted on the concrete slab at the entrance to the checkpoint:  “This road leads to a Palestinian locality.  Civilians entering could be in danger.”  The reservists don’t allow us to stand near the inspection booths and there’s certainly no possibility of them allowing us to enter the dangerous village.

The outer gate leading to the agricultural gate is padlocked.

Shomron gate:  No police at the exit from Israel.

06:50  Za’tara/Tapuach:  We saw no soldiers in the positions or in the observation tower.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoint:  No military activity.

07:20  Beit Furik:  No soldiers.

We went through the village and saw photos of the candidates for municipal elections adorning every wall and a multitude of flags decorating the electric poles.  There was no point asking who won because Hamas boycotted the election and it was essentially a struggle between the veteran and new Fatah leadership (sound familiar?).

07:25  Awarta:  The yellow iron bar is still locked, blocking the crossing.

07:50  Huwwara:  We saw no soldiers in the tower.

A soldier at the road up to Beracha.  We saw no soldier in the tower opposite the hitchhiking station.

Burin/Yitzhar:  No military activity.

08:15  Za’tara/Tapuach:  Border Police soldiers in position, few cars crossing.  Two cars detained off to the side for inspection, not interfering with traffic.

No line at the Shomron gate; inspections are superficial, as usual.

 Translator:  Charles K.

The earth around the olive trees has been plowed and cleared – the harvest begins in two weeks.

06:30  Azzun Atma:  Construction and roadworks underway around the checkpoint.  There are now two locations where laborers are inspected, with four computers.  But only one booth is operating; the other isn’t manned.  The revolving gate still isn’t operating and the laborers pass through the fenced gate.

About 40 laborers on line; many on the other side wait for their rides.

The soldiers say the checkpoint was closed yesterday because there was no work in the settlements.

The outer gate, leading to the agricultural gate, was locked.  From a distance we could see vehicles driving near it.

Shomron crossing:  No police at the exit from Israel.

07:05  Za’tara/Tapuach:  We saw no soldiers in position.  The observation post was manned.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoint:  No military activity.

07:30  Beit Furiq:  No soldiers.

07:35  Awwarta:  The yellow iron bar is still locked, blocking the crossing.

07:40  Huwwara:  We saw no soldiers in the tower.  But two stand at the checkpoint.  We asked why today is different; they replied, amazed, “there are always soldiers here.”  A car from Nablus has been detained nearby.  We stopped to ask why.  The soldier refused to answer, nor did the Palestinian driver reply.  We didn’t stay, in order not to hinder traffic, nor did it appear the Palestinians wanted to talk to us.

A soldier at the road up to Beracha.  Another in the tower opposite the hitchhiking station.

Burin/Yitzhar:  No military activity.

07:55  Za’tara/Tapuach:  Soldiers in position, but they’re not delaying traffic.

On our way back we saw, opposite the Ariel industrial zone, a flying checkpoint had been set up, creating a huge traffic jam, mostly of Israeli vehicles.

Shomron crossing:  The car two vehicles in front of us, with a yellow license plate, is sent to the side for additional inspection.  The inspectors refuse to tell us what was problematic about the passengers

Translator:  Charles K

Palestinian children have returned to school; the roads are crowded.

06:25  Azzun Atma: – Your military budget at work:  construction and road-paving at the checkpoint, which doesn’t help people cross more quickly.  Just the opposite – today the revolving gate isn’t working and the laborers cross through the fenced gate.

Many, many soldiers on site, but their commander won’t assign two of them to write down the names of those leaving – even though the line is long and the wait is over an hour.  He’s very afraid that people blacklisted by the Shin Bet will take advantage of the opportunity and cross to work even though the Shin Bet has its eye on them.

The drivers outside tell us that yesterday was really terrible; some laborers simply turned around and returned home after waiting for hours.

Shomron crossing:  No police at the exit from Israel.

06:50  Za’tara/Tapuach:  We didn’t see soldiers at the positions.  Very little traffic.

A Border Police vehicle opposite the entrance to Beita.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoint:  No military activity.

07:25  Beit Furik:  Two Naha”l soldiers, from the company stationed on the hill at Alon Moreh, stand in the shade of the pillbox.  They don’t interfere with the flow of traffic.

We spoke with one of the villagers about the report in Ha’aretz, according to which the villagers are again able to reach their lands threatened by settlers from Yitzhar.  He says that won’t really help his family because their land is in an area not guarded by the army.  He fears they won’t be able to harvest their olives this year either.

07:30  Awarta:  The yellow metal bar is still locked, blocking passage.

07:35  Huwwara:  We saw no soldiers anywhere at the checkpoint.

A soldier at the road up to Beracha.  We didn’t see a soldier at the hitchhiking station across the road.

Burin/Yitzhar  No military activity.

Heavy traffic in Huwwara.

07:45  Za’tara/Tapuach  We didn’t see any soldiers.  Traffic flows without interference.

Natanya translating.

Good news. We saw the first squills.

6.30 Azzun Atma.  The checkpoint is undergoing physical changes. The shed which protects from the sun and rain has been taken down and another checking booth is going to be put up for those entering. In the meantime the soldiers are working efficiently and the line is not specially long. As a result 10s of workers are waiting on the other side for transport.

Two soldiers go among those waiting asking to see documents. They say that some went through the fence without being checked and are trying to hide amongst those waiting. Indeed we see in the area of the checkpoint a line of young men sitting with their faces to the wall. The soldiers say they were caught going through the fence. We did not see workers coming from the direction of the agricultural gate.

Shomron crossing. No police at the exit from Israel. Work is being done in the lane which exits from Israel.

Between Ariel and Za’tara we passed two Israeli trucks. They were transporting cement and one had large bundles of glass. They seemed more suitable to us for Palestinian buildings than for the caravans of settlers.

7.10 Za’tara/Tapuach. We did not see soldiers at the posts. There is much traffic. Because of this at the circle there is a line as if the checkpoint is working.

The checkpoint of Yizthar and Burin. No military activity.

7.45  Awarta.  The yellow bar is still locked and bars the passage.

7.40 We did not see soldiers in the area of the checkpoint. Two flags fly from the tower and the light of the projector competes with the light of the sun.

At the ascent to Bracha settlement is a soldier. Another at the hitching post opposite.

In the village of Huwwara there is much traffic. The school children are still on holiday. The shops open slowly.

8.20 Za’tara/Tapuach.  Border police are in the terminal but not manning the posts. The traffic passes undisturbed.

On the way from the Shomron crossing to Rosh Ha’ayin there is a traffic jam as a result of an accident of several cars.

חדשות טובות – ראינו חצבים פורחים

06:30  עזון עתמא: המחסום עובר שינויים פיזיים. הורידו את הסככה המגינה מפני גשם ושמש ומתכוונים להעמיד עמדת בידוק נוספת – לנכנסים. בינתיים החיילים עובדים ביעילות והתור אינו ארוך במיוחד. כתוצאה כך עשרות פועלים ממתינים מהעבר השני להסעות הקבלנים.

שני חיילים עוברים בין הממתינים ומבקשים לראות את התעודות. לדבריהם יש כאלו שעברו את הגדר בלי בידוק ומנסים להיטמע בין הממתינים. אכן ראינו בשטח המחסום שורה של צעירים היושבים עם פניהם לקיר. החיילים אומרים שנתפסו עוברים את הגדר.

לא ראינו פועלים מגיעים מכיוון השער החקלאי.

מעבר שומרון : אין משטרה ביציאה מישראל. יש עבודות על הנתיב היוצא מישראל.

בין אריאל  לזעתרה עקפנו שתי משאיות ישראליות  הנושאות שקי  מלט ואחת שהובילה חבילות גדולות של זגוגיות. נדמה היה לנו שהן מתאימות יותר לווילות שבונים הפלסטינים מאשר לקרווילות של המתנחלים.

07:10 זעתרה/תפוח: לא ראינו חיילים בעמדות. תנועה ערה מאד. בשל התנועה, בכיכר נוצר תור כאילו שהמחסום עובד.

מחסומי יצהר/בורין: אין פעילות צבאית.

07:40 בית פוריכ: אין  חיילים והתנועה זורמת. 

07:45  עוורתא : הזרוע הצהובה עדיין נעולה וחוסמת את המעבר.

07:40 חווארה: לא ראינו חיילים ברחבי המחסום.  שני דגלים מתנוססים על המגדל והאור בפרוז'קטור מתחרה בקרני השמש.

בעלייה לברכה – חייל.  חייל גם בטרמפיאדה שממול .

בורין /יצהר: אין פעילות צבאית.

בעיירה חווארה תנועה ערה. עדיין חופשה לילדי בתי הספר  והחנויות נפתחות לאיטן.

08:20 זעתרה/תפוח:  חיילי מג"ב מסתובבים במתחם אך לא מאיישים את העמדות. התנועה זורמת ללא הפרעה.

בדרך ממעבר שומרון לראש העין פקק ארוך כתוצאה מתאונת שרשרת.

Translator: anna K.

10:00 – Hares, Kif'l Haret' and Kira. At this hour the roads are empty. Only a few shops are open. There is no sign of army presence.

10:20 – we drove to Zeita – to our meeting with the local women.

13:00  - Jama'in and Inabus -  the businesses are open, the road is being enlarged and new lightening is prepared for all its length.

At Huwwara village many businesses are open, the road is busy and men are sitting in the cafes.
At Huwwara CP the traffic flows in both directions, there are not soldiers at the passageways. In the direction of Nablus the road is being repaired. Near the hitchhikers station, at the way up to the Beraha settlement, a soldier stands and guards women settlers who probably are waiting for transportation. This, ins addition to the soldiers who man the two watch towers.

14:00 – At Burin we have fixed an appointment with a woman whose son had been arrested a few months ago. The son is still in detention, prior to the trial, and she is worried that he doesn't eat enough. She told us that the day before, at 02:30 in the morning again 40 soldiers entered the village and detained another boy from the last high-school class, of which a few pupils have already been detained in the last month for allegedly having thrown stones. All this happened as a result of the denouncement of one boy.

14:50 At Za'tara there are no soldiers.
About 10 kms after we passed the Samaria Gate we were suddenly stopped in a traffic jam as a result of a flying CP which was set up by soldiers not far from us. 3 soldiers arrived running, stopped a private car with an Israeli number plate in which there was a couple of Palestinians, probably Israeli citizens, who, judging by their attire looked Bedouin. There were other passengers in the car, we couldn't make out whether they were children or adults. The passengers looked scared and so did the soldiers, who, so it seemed received at this very moment the order to stop them. One of the soldiers took the car keys from the driver and began checking the papers. After about 10 minutes the road was opened, but the "suspect" car was ordered by the soldiers to stand at the side of the road. We are not sure what the reason for the stopping of the car was and especially why soldiers and not the blue police were summoned.
         
                                               

Translator:  Charles K.

The cut in the defense budget is already felt here – very few soldiers around.

06:20  Azzun Atma:  The checkpoint opened late this morning despite Ramadan.  The soldiers say the delay was only ten minutes. A congested line of more than 70 laborers at the checkpoint.  Only the computerized inspection stations are operating.  The MP’s don’t open a manual inspection station because they say there aren’t enough soldiers.  The soldiers ask us to speak to them “upstairs” so they’ll be allocated more manpower to open additional inspection stations.  Is that how they see our role – to improve the checkpoints?

The laborers report waiting more than an hour.

We saw no laborers coming from the direction of the agricultural gate.

06:30  Shomron crossing:  No police at the exit from Israel.  An additional lane has been paved going east.

On the way we passed a transporter taking a large prefabricated structure to the settlements.

06:50  Za’tara/Tapuach:  No soldiers at the stations.  Light traffic on the road.

Yitzhar/Burin checkpoint:  No military activity

07:00  Awarta:  The yellow bar is still locked, blocking passage.

07:20  Beit Furik:  No soldiers; traffic flows.  We didn’t see a soldier in the tower.

07:25  Huwwara:  We didn’t see soldiers in the area of the checkpoint.

A soldier at the road up to Beracha settlement.  No soldier at the hitchhiking location on the other side of the road.

Burin/Yitzhar:No military activity

The town of Huwwarastill slumbers on the verge of an additional day of oppressive heat and a lengthy fast.  All the shops are closed.

07:35  Za’tara/Tapuach:  No soldiers in position; traffic is unobstructed.  Large signs on the fence:  “Mitzpeh Keramim is accepting families” calling for more settlers.

Many buses at the Shomron crossing.

Natanya translating.

6.15 Azzun Atma. On the way to Elkana settlement we saw a lorries' convoy delivering new prefabricated houses.

At the checkpoint is a crowded group of over 50 workers. There are three checking posts – 2 with computers and one by hand and this does not solve the length of the queue. The workers say that they wait over an hour.  The latest “improvement”: those who have parcels have to put them in the corner next to the gate and after they show their documents they go back through the car gate for the parcels and go back toward the exit with their parcels to be checked.

6.35The agricultural gate is open and a long line of workers walk towards the main road.

7.30 The Shomron crossing.No police at the exit from Israel. The passage to Israel is very crowded.

7.50 Za’tara/Tapuach CP.  Border police at the checking posts. The road is empty of cars.

Yitzhar/Burin CP.  No army activity.

Awarta.  The yellow bar is locked and bars the passage.

Beit Furik.No soldiers and the traffic flows.  We did not see a soldier in the tower.

8.30 Huwwara CP.  We saw no soldiers in the area of the checkpoint.

Going up towards Bracha settlement there is a soldier. Another one at the hitching post across the road.

Burin/Yizthar.  No army activity.

Za’tara/Tapuach CP.  Border police at the post but they do not interfere with the traffic.

Shomron crossing.The checking is superficial as usual.

06:20  'Azzun 'Atma.  About 100 people are in line; many are already sitting outside.  Crossing goes quickly;  two booths for document inspection and another outside to inspect belongings.  We timed how long it took someone who arrived when we did to go through – 40 minutes.  That’s not fast, but in terms of this checkpoint it’s not bad.  When we left before 07:00 only 30 people were in line.  There may be less congestion because many now go through the Tamar gate that’s open for half an hour from 06:15 to 06:45.  About 20 people sit waiting at the entrance to the checkpoint; they’d been sent back into Palestine.  We were told they were in Israel illegally, having crossed through a hole in the fence without a permit or had been caught in Israel; we couldn’t find out more.

The young twelve-year-old coffee seller sells coffee in small cups (the size of little plastic wine cups) to people who’ve crossed.  His younger brother, who’s 8, helps.  They’re very cute; the “elder” speaks very good Hebrew – it’s really amazing.

06:35  The line is much shorter already; in the past it hadn’t gotten shorter until 07:00.  It doesn’t seem that fewer people are coming; maybe there’s less pressure because some cross through the Tamar gate?

Part of the line passes between two fences (before going through the revolving gate); it’s always congested there, while outside the fences the line is very narrow.  The fence is torn in many places and looks like it’s about to collapse>  It leans outward; we hope it doesn’t fall on a passerby.

07:10  Habla.  The gates are open but only now does the first group enter for inspection.  In other words, the gate opened late – the soldiers arrived at 07:00, but the gate was to have opened at 07:00.

The first group comes through and a man chats with an MP – he says the soldier is good, he’s our friend.  Later we heard the opposite in the plant nursery; the worker there had many complaints about that soldier – as usual, it depends whom you ask, and there are always two sides.  About 40 people in line; more continue to arrive.  There’s a great deal of garbage around the shipping container on our side that provides shade – who’s responsible for cleaning up here?  Apparently no one.  It’s interesting that for years there wasn’t refuse here, and now the place has suddenly become a garbage can.  The shepherd arrives with his flock and runs them through to the Israeli side – very pastoral:  the flock, but not the crossing.

08:10 

Eliyahu crossing.  The gardeners work energetically, the location fills with annuals requiring a great deal of water, and they’ve already planted cedars – which, as you know, grow very slowly, but we’re here for good.  About 5 people on the pedestrian lane, and cars being inspected, as usual.

08:35  Jit/Sara junction.  No soldiers

Graffiti at the entrance to Yitzhar:  “Death to Arabs.”

08:40  Huwwara.  The crossing is open; no soldiers on the road except for the one always stationed at the road up to Har Beracha.

On the way back, there’s a military car at the junction where you drive up to Burin.  We drove in to see why; the soldiers were erecting a flying checkpoint on the way into Burin.

09:10  Za’tara/Tapuach junction.  Traffic going up is slow.  When we arrive a soldier emerges from his post on the road and walks to the junction/plaza.  Traffic at the junction seems to be slow because there’s heavy traffic coming from all directions.  It clears a few minutes later.  Soldiers always man the guard towers around the junction.

Before the plaza junction there’s an entrance to Ariel from Highway 5, a sign indicating the turn to Ariel and another sign reading “Turn here for Ariel University.”  And I thought that the Higher Education Budgeting Committee hadn’t yet granted them this title?  But the National Road Company already did so.

09:20  Entrance to Salfit.  The two gates are closed; one opens for a car coming from Salfit and when it closes the car is trapped between the two gates; the second opens and the car can drive on.  No inspection.  So why all the gates, opening, closing?  Now three cars arrived from the direction of the Ariel junction and both gates open simultaneously.  When they go through the gates close again and a car coming from Salfit has to go through the procedure of gates closing and opening.

At the entrance to Ariel they’re inspecting people entering the town – two employees of a security company and a soldier.  Is this why he was inducted into the army - to stand at the gate at the entrance to Ariel?Azzun Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Za’tara junction, Monday, 9.7.12, morning

Observers:  Shoshana Z., Nina S. (reporting)

Translator:  Charles K.

06:20  'Azzun 'Atma.  About 100 people are in line; many are already sitting outside.  Crossing goes quickly;  two booths for document inspection and another outside to inspect belongings.  We timed how long it took someone who arrived when we did to go through – 40 minutes.  That’s not fast, but in terms of this checkpoint it’s not bad.  When we left before 07:00 only 30 people were in line.  There may be less congestion because many now go through the Tamar gate that’s open for half an hour from 06:15 to 06:45.  About 20 people sit waiting at the entrance to the checkpoint; they’d been sent back into Palestine.  We were told they were in Israel illegally, having crossed through a hole in the fence without a permit or had been caught in Israel; we couldn’t find out more.

The young twelve-year-old coffee seller sells coffee in small cups (the size of little plastic wine cups) to people who’ve crossed.  His younger brother, who’s 8, helps.  They’re very cute; the “elder” speaks very good Hebrew – it’s really amazing.

06:35  The line is much shorter already; in the past it hadn’t gotten shorter until 07:00.  It doesn’t seem that fewer people are coming; maybe there’s less pressure because some cross through the Tamar gate?

Part of the line passes between two fences (before going through the revolving gate); it’s always congested there, while outside the fences the line is very narrow.  The fence is torn in many places and looks like it’s about to collapse>  It leans outward; we hope it doesn’t fall on a passerby.

07:10  Habla.  The gates are open but only now does the first group enter for inspection.  In other words, the gate opened late – the soldiers arrived at 07:00, but the gate was to have opened at 07:00.

The first group comes through and a man chats with an MP – he says the soldier is good, he’s our friend.  Later we heard the opposite in the plant nursery; the worker there had many complaints about that soldier – as usual, it depends whom you ask, and there are always two sides.  About 40 people in line; more continue to arrive.  There’s a great deal of garbage around the shipping container on our side that provides shade – who’s responsible for cleaning up here?  Apparently no one.  It’s interesting that for years there wasn’t refuse here, and now the place has suddenly become a garbage can.  The shepherd arrives with his flock and runs them through to the Israeli side – very pastoral:  the flock, but not the crossing.

08:10 

Eliyahu crossing.  The gardeners work energetically, the location fills with annuals requiring a great deal of water, and they’ve already planted cedars – which, as you know, grow very slowly, but we’re here for good.  About 5 people on the pedestrian lane, and cars being inspected, as usual.

08:35  Jit/Sara junction.  No soldiers

Graffiti at the entrance to Yitzhar:  “Death to Arabs.”

08:40  Huwwara.  The crossing is open; no soldiers on the road except for the one always stationed at the road up to Har Beracha.

On the way back, there’s a military car at the junction where you drive up to Burin.  We drove in to see why; the soldiers were erecting a flying checkpoint on the way into Burin.

09:10  Za’tara/Tapuach junction.  Traffic going up is slow.  When we arrive a soldier emerges from his post on the road and walks to the junction/plaza.  Traffic at the junction seems to be slow because there’s heavy traffic coming from all directions.  It clears a few minutes later.  Soldiers always man the guard towers around the junction.

Before the plaza junction there’s an entrance to Ariel from Highway 5, a sign indicating the turn to Ariel and another sign reading “Turn here for Ariel University.”  And I thought that the Higher Education Budgeting Committee hadn’t yet granted them this title?  But the National Road Company already did so.

09:20  Entrance to Salfit.  The two gates are closed; one opens for a car coming from Salfit and when it closes the car is trapped between the two gates; the second opens and the car can drive on.  No inspection.  So why all the gates, opening, closing?  Now three cars arrived from the direction of the Ariel junction and both gates open simultaneously.  When they go through the gates close again and a car coming from Salfit has to go through the procedure of gates closing and opening.

At the entrance to Ariel they’re inspecting people entering the town – two employees of a security company and a soldier.  Is this why he was inducted into the army - to stand at the gate at the entrance to Ariel?Azzun Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Za’tara junction, Monday, 9.7.12, morning

Observers:  Shoshana Z., Nina S. (reporting)

Translator:  Charles K.

06:20  'Azzun 'Atma.  About 100 people are in line; many are already sitting outside.  Crossing goes quickly;  two booths for document inspection and another outside to inspect belongings.  We timed how long it took someone who arrived when we did to go through – 40 minutes.  That’s not fast, but in terms of this checkpoint it’s not bad.  When we left before 07:00 only 30 people were in line.  There may be less congestion because many now go through the Tamar gate that’s open for half an hour from 06:15 to 06:45.  About 20 people sit waiting at the entrance to the checkpoint; they’d been sent back into Palestine.  We were told they were in Israel illegally, having crossed through a hole in the fence without a permit or had been caught in Israel; we couldn’t find out more.

The young twelve-year-old coffee seller sells coffee in small cups (the size of little plastic wine cups) to people who’ve crossed.  His younger brother, who’s 8, helps.  They’re very cute; the “elder” speaks very good Hebrew – it’s really amazing.

06:35  The line is much shorter already; in the past it hadn’t gotten shorter until 07:00.  It doesn’t seem that fewer people are coming; maybe there’s less pressure because some cross through the Tamar gate?

Part of the line passes between two fences (before going through the revolving gate); it’s always congested there, while outside the fences the line is very narrow.  The fence is torn in many places and looks like it’s about to collapse>  It leans outward; we hope it doesn’t fall on a passerby.

07:10  Habla.  The gates are open but only now does the first group enter for inspection.  In other words, the gate opened late – the soldiers arrived at 07:00, but the gate was to have opened at 07:00.

The first group comes through and a man chats with an MP – he says the soldier is good, he’s our friend.  Later we heard the opposite in the plant nursery; the worker there had many complaints about that soldier – as usual, it depends whom you ask, and there are always two sides.  About 40 people in line; more continue to arrive.  There’s a great deal of garbage around the shipping container on our side that provides shade – who’s responsible for cleaning up here?  Apparently no one.  It’s interesting that for years there wasn’t refuse here, and now the place has suddenly become a garbage can.  The shepherd arrives with his flock and runs them through to the Israeli side – very pastoral:  the flock, but not the crossing.

08:10 

Eliyahu crossing.  The gardeners work energetically, the location fills with seedlings requiring a great deal of water, and they’ve already planted cedars – which, as you know, grow very slowly, but we’re here for good.  About 5 people on the pedestrian lane, and cars being inspected, as usual.

08:35  Jit/Sara junction.  No soldiers

Graffiti at the entrance to Yitzhar:  “Death to Arabs.”

08:40  Huwwara.  The crossing is open; no soldiers on the road except for the one always stationed at the road up to Har Beracha.

On the way back, there’s a military car at the junction where you drive up to Burin.  We drove in to see why; the soldiers were erecting a flying checkpoint on the way into Burin.

09:10  Za’tara/Tapuach junction.  Traffic going up is slow.  When we arrive a soldier emerges from his post on the road and walks to the junction/plaza.  Traffic at the junction seems to be slow because there’s heavy traffic coming from all directions.  It clears a few minutes later.  Soldiers always man the guard towers around the junction.

Before the plaza junction there’s an entrance to Ariel from Highway 5, a sign indicating the turn to Ariel and another sign reading “Turn here for Ariel University.”  And I thought that the Higher Education Budgeting Committee hadn’t yet granted them this title?  But the National Road Company already did so.

09:20  Entrance to Salfit.  The two gates are closed; one opens for a car coming from Salfit and when it closes the car is trapped between the two gates; the second opens and the car can drive on.  No inspection.  So why all the gates, opening, closing?  Now three cars arrived from the direction of the Ariel junction and both gates open simultaneously.  When they go through the gates close again and a car coming from Salfit has to go through the procedure of gates closing and opening.

At the entrance to Ariel they’re inspecting people entering the town – two employees of a security company and a soldier.  Is this why he was inducted into the army - to stand at the gate at the entrance to Arie l?