'Anabta, 'Azzun, Jubara (Kafriat), Mon 20.4.09, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Bil'ha A., Yona A. (reporting)
Apr-20-2009
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Afternoon

Translation: Galia S.

Jubara 

13:40 – Few cars pass through the checkpoint at the Figs Passage. At our request to open the gate to Jubara, one of the soldiers wants to know if we have permission to pass, whereas another soldier, a veteran, comes with the key to open the gate for us.

At the Schoolchildren's Gate we see Muhamad, detained for being "illegal" [in Israel without a residence permit], who was on his way back to visit his village, Beit Lid. The soldiers have taken his documents and are now making enquiries. We try to talk to the soldiers but they ask us to leave the checkpoint area. Among them we recognize some old acquaintances from the "rolling checkpoint" [unannounced mobile] at Ar-Ras a month ago.

Muhamad goes into a monologue. He tells us he has been working in Segula for the last 7 years, without permission. He says the police know him but leave him in peace. They know he won't cause problems. All he wants is to live, make a living, marry and have children. There is no work in his village. The only thing those who want to work can do is join the Palestinian police. You cannot live on the IS500.00 a month they pay you. Those who work in Israel are considered collaborators…  He is on his way to visit his family and on the way back he will go via Jerusalem, where, he says, you can bribe the policemen and pass.

The soldiers let him pass after a thirty minute wait.


Anabta

14:30 – At Anabta checkpoint the traffic is lively in both directions. Many cars with Israeli licence plates. Two lanes are open for traveling. Two soldiers handle the passage of cars that come from the direction of Tulkarm and another two the ones that go into the city. From time to time a car is stopped for a brief check. The heavy machinery stands beside the road and no works are carried out on the road all the time we are here. A dirty Israeli flag is flying near the watch-tower.

Azzun

Two military vehicles stand beside the road about 1 kilometer east of the entrance to Azzun. Soldiers are seen busy at work by the fence that keeps stretching along the road.

At the entrance to the village there is a high earth rampart, in the middle of which is a beaten track, a little lower, probably done by pedestrians. Passing there, we see no people around.