'Azzun 'Atma

 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: Hanna K.

 

13:40 Habla CP – A Bedouin who lives outside the fence expresses interest in our activities at Machsom Watch. I promised that he would be able to see the report at the site.

He is waiting for his family: his wife and children who were checked now in the rooms and are advancing towards him.

We were told that at the 109 CP (at the entrance to the Tzufin settlement, not far from the Eliyahu crossing "they are making our lives difficult".

14:55 Nabi Elyas CP -  there are police vehicles at the exit from Israel.

14:20 – Military jeeps are coming towards us near the village of Jit.

14:28 – We bypass a military armored car (such as is used against demonstrations) on road 60, it is driving in the direction of Burin-Huwwara. On the south-west side there appears the mountain ridge which is being taken over by the settlement of Yitzhar and its satellites.

12:36 Huwwara CP – Even before the square at the entrance to the CP. there is a watch tower opposite the hitch hikers station of the people leaving the settlement of Braha, manned by a soldier.

Behind this watch tower can be seen another one – this one is on the fence of the Huwwara DCO (this one too on the east side of the road).    A changing of the guards now takes place there, as well as at the watch tower of the Huwwara CP.

14:40 – On the main road of Huwwara, at the entrance to the village (coming from the north) there is an Israeli vehicle which underwent an accident. The vehicle is parked on the side of the road, near a private house. There is a soldier keeping watch (on the vehicle?)

There are many cars driving on the roads of the village in both directions. Characteristic for Thursdays.

14:50 Za'tara CP – There is a soldier in the watch tower. The checking booths are not manned. There are two command cars in the parking lot, parked near a private car with Israeli number plates.

15:13 Azzun Atma CP – A room was added  

 

 

to the old checking room. Topographical

changes are being carried out – a road is

being enlarged, pavements, asphalt.

This is the reason that the shading net

which have been added not long ago

have not been removed.

What will protect the workers

when they return in the rain?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Translator:  Charles K.

 

A large brush fire burning on the hillside in the often lawless area between the villages of Burin and Huwwara, while the settlement of Yitzhar sits comfortably on the hilltop.

 

We took a different route this time, from the village of Azzun, on Highway 55, south via the villages of Tulth and Beit Amin.  On the secondary road we saw for the first time an ordinary road sign (in green) on which the names of the villages appeared only in Arabic and in English (may there be many more like it).

 

We arrived at the northern Azzun Atma checkpoint.

 

15:20  Northern Azzun Atma checkpoint/Gate 1459 – Israeli flags and banners of the military unit stationed here flap in the wind.  We saw no soldiers; the crossing was open.

 

15:55  We passed to the northwest near the Barkan industrial area.  Huge cranes indicate that construction continues apace.

 

16:00  Za’tara checkpoint – A soldier sits in the guard tower in the middle of the checkpoint.  No soldiers at the inspection stations.  Heavy traffic, primarily from Ramallah toward Nablus, returning home from the work week.

 

As usual, no one has prevented the settlers from hanging new signs on the checkpoint fence.  An army jeep comes from Huwwara, followed by a police vehicle.

 

16:07  A military command car arrives from the direction of Huwwara.

 

16:20  Huwwara checkpoint– A soldier sits in the guard tower next to the plaza.  We saw no soldiers at the checkpoint, nor at the settlers’ hitchhiking stations.

 

Smoke rises from the direction of Burin village ,

grows denser.  You can see that the fire is

burning in several places, consuming the vegetation.

  The exact location:  the bottom of the hill between

the villages of Burin and Huwwara.

 

Higher up, on the hilltop, is one of the construction

outposts (which are scattered on a number of ridges)

of the Yitzhar settlement.

 

The location where the fire is burning was also mentioned in the report from 10.5.2012: ”We drove to the village of Burin to look into the incident of the40 trees belonging to the villagers that had been cut down two days earlier by settlers from Yitzhar.  The residents pointed to the hill the settlers had taken over, but said it was dangerous to go there.”

 

17:00  Highway 60  -  Two armed soldiers sit on the concrete bridge opposite the village of Madameh.

 

17:20  Anabta checkpoint – Vehicles go through without inspection.  We saw no soldiers at the checkpoint.

 

17:30 Irtach checkpoint – We’re told the checkpoint is open from 04:00 until 19:00, and the laborers returning from Israel to Palestine aren’t inspected.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

  

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.

Natanya translating

 

 

Azzun Atma, 6.00.A Palestinian passes us running and behind him two soldiers. They did not manage to catch him and when we got to the gate together with them they said that he was an illegal worker. There were already 120 people in the line and all the time more came up. The line did not get any shorter. There were two checking posts and military police checking bags.For a man who arrived together with us took half an hour to get through.

 

Habla. 7.00   The gate opened on time and a man with a cart came through. Afterwards a few people and a man with a bicycle. An argument ensued. The MP said that he had not had his food inspected and had to go back. He said that it had been inspected and refused. The soldier called to those checking at the back and after checking with them the matter ended. At this stage we intervened and asked why she could not check and she answered with the pathos of security but another soldier  tried to Apologize.

 As a result of being engaged in this  argument  we did not notice what was going on behind our backs (this will become clear later).

The amount of people in the line is less than usual but there is the usual harassment.

A man and two children in cart come up. He tells us that he works guarding 24 hours and is therefore classified as "00". Therefore he was not require to be listed (so as to check if he returned). But this time the MP had demanded that he go back to the booth so as to be listed. We went back to the car which had been next to us and so we had not kocked it and found that our cell phones which had been in different places had been stolen. (It seems that the cellular revolution has arrived here too).

 

8.30 Jayyus. We came to the village and met X. We heard from him that Huwwara checkpoint is being renovated and that tanks have been brought to Dir-A-Sharaf. He also told us of his difficulties now that he has been declared a security risk for the last 8 years. But now he has a chance to get a permit through a lawyer. He is having great difficulty in providing for a family of seven children. One of them works for the Palestinian police but only gets 1800.- shekels a month.

 

 

 

06:15  Azun Atmeh

A man in civilian dress was sitting at the checkpoint, t-shirt, not a uniform, and people said that he is a policeman and is inspecting those who have already gone through.  He got here on a civilian motorcycle.  He came over to talk and it turned out that he was a Border Guard volunteering forthe police.  He told us that today he is acting as a detective.  He lives in Oranit and seemed very young. Strange.  And indeed, once in a while he went out on the motorcycle along
the fence and looked for people who had got through holes in the fence illegally.  We didn't see him bring anyone to the gate.
About 70 people in line, a little shorter than usual, but it might look that way because the line is now more circular, as the fence which used to hold the line in order and narrow has disappeared.  Now the soldiers responsible for security at the checkpoint are female.
According to the locals, they are much stricter, shout and are not pleasant to the people.  4 people sitting next to the gate.  The female soldiers said that they When one of them got up to smoke, the checkpoint commander warned
him about the smoking and commanded him to sit down, in a very disagreeable way. Time goes by and the line is no shorter, as more people keep arriving. We timed a man who arrived with us and it took him 25 minutes to go through There were only 2 inspection stations today.
06:55  The gate leading to the road to Sha'ar Tamar The last of the people arrive from the gate and are standing here.
(something missing here)  The soldiers shut the gate and are waiting for the last people who went out and are about to arrive at the gate on the road ; then they also close this gate.  That was supposed to happen only at 7:00 but it seems that they saw that there were no more people, so they shut it early, which they shouldn't do since whoever arrives at Sha'ar Tamar at 06:47 for example, won't be able to go through even though the gate was supposed to be still open.  From the road one can see work going on for the new fence, which is destroying more orchards, some of which will also still
be left outside the fence!
07:15  Habla
The gate is open and people are going through.  Also here there are female soldiers on guard duty at the gate.  Wagon drivers and a car which wanted to go through to Habla were sent back to the inspection station to go to theHabla Gate and then to return and pick up the wagon and the car; absurd.  In the past, they always exited back from the entrance gate to the station and shortened the distance this way - but "there must be order, seen and done". The passing is very slow.
A man who arrived from our direction to go into Habla has been waiting a long time until they decide to allow him to go into the inspection station, even though he was alone at the time.  for the sake of "order".  When a man is waiting next to the gate, in order to enter Habla, it seems that the military policewoman must show him who makes decisions here and sends him back, closing the pedestrian gate demonstratively; now those coming in must go back and open the bolt every time, simply harassment.
07:45  Eliyahu Gate
We tried to go through the Gate by foot to the other side of the passageway, but a guard arrived immediately and claimed that it was forbidden for us to do that, and then the manager of the passageway came out running, Mr. Levi, and angrily announced to us that he does not allow people wandering around "his" check point.  The passageway is "sterile".  It wasn't worth arguing with him, so we went through the checkpoint by car and stopped on the other side. But it was difficult to see from there what was happening in the pedestrian line, which was short, only about 10 people.  We decided that,
the next time, we would come here earlier to see how things are going.
We went to Dir Sharaf to see what was new, if anything, about the road to Jenin - all was quiet and, according to our friend from the shop, there were no problems...
09:00  Anabta checkpoint
Open and no soldiers around.  Maybe they were in the guard tower, but we couldn't see. Further down the road to Safrin they were working.  Everything seemed to be covered with new asphalt and it seems they are paving it.  We entered the
road leading from Shufa Ilit to Shufa Tahtit, in order to see what is new - the road was open, but the level of its upkeep was awful, full of potholes.

Translator: Hanna K

 

Thursday, it is hot, the week during which the Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fiter celebrations ended.

 

15:00 Irtah CP – The workmen return from work, they arrive in centralized transportations, they are not checked at the entrance.

15:38 road 60 – looking westwards, before the Jit intersection, one can see how the building northwards advances incessantly at the Kedumim settlement.

15:53 Huwwara CP – there is a soldier in the watch-tower opposite the hitch-hikers station at the exit from the Beraha settlement. There is a  soldier at the hitch-hikers station at the entrance to the Beraha settlement. New flags are hoisted at the CP.

16:03 at the Awarta village at the entrance near the apartheid road which leads to Itamar, not far from the Huwwara DCO, on the wall of a private house the inscription The price tag was written and later camouflaged in a kind of scrabble deletion.

We were told that yesterday around 19.00 a flying CP was put up at the intersection between Bizzariya and Silat ad Dhahr (near the evacuated Humash settlement). Soldiers arrived in a hummer and checked a Palestinian vehicle.

16:22 Za'tara CP – A soldiers stands in the warch tower at the parking lot, and two soldiers are below. They do not check.

 

16:57 Azzun Atma CP – a military command-car and jeep stand in front of the CP. Girl soldiers guard the queue of the entering people. Workmen return from their day's work (Thursday in Palestine is like Friday in Israel).

 

There are a few detainees on the side, among which two women and small children. They are all being punished because they don't have entrance permits. The soldier who tries more than anything to see what photos I took – says that they will remain punished so as to teach them a lesson.

 

We try to contact the center on their behalf but to no avail because they have a technical problem with their phones there. But we nevertheless got a promise that they would try to take care of the matter, i.e. to see to it that the detainees be allowed to enter soon, with the help of the DCO.

Another problem was raised by the workmen at the Azzun Atma CP - they were forced to leave the bus driving to Ariel because they are Palestinians, and had to walk many kilometers,

 

They rightly claim that the price of the journey by public transport is much cheaper than by private transporation which

collect enormous sums from them for the trip to work and back.

This does not interest anybody and they have nobody to turn to in order to correct this wrong.