'Anabta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Jubara (Kafriat), Qalqiliya, Thu 16.4.09, Afternoon

Closure of the territories

14:30  Qalqiliya

The roadblock is closed since
a suspicious object has been found. The soldiers confirm that it has
been closed for an hour. At 14:45 cars are being let through without
being checked, until a donkey with a wagon arrives. A soldier shouts
to the riders to turn back. After a short argument they continue on
their way. After ten minutes the traffic is stopped again. The soldier
says that the suspicious object has not been exploded yet. In the meantime
most people are waiting outside their vehicles. The soldiers, with drawn
weapons, shout to everybody to move back.  

15:55 The suspicious object is
being exploded. 13 minutes later vehicles are being let through. There
are 118 cars waiting in line at the entrance to Qalqiliya. Those are
the ones who didn’t give up. People at the roadblock said that exactly
the same thing happened last Thursday as well, and they believe that
it is on purpose.  

After a visit to the “Barrel”
roadblock.

16:50  Anabta

There is only one checkpoint
for vehicles coming from both directions, so each time a long line is
formed in one direction, and the cars have to wait.

We leave after a few minutes.  

17:20-17:50  Jubara

Two men have been detained for
two hours already. Their work permits have been confiscated since they
did not return last night, and now they are waiting for the requested
forms to be brought to them.  

18:40-19:00  Southern
exit from Qalqiliya

The police have detained two
cars without licenses, so now the whole roadblock has come to a standstill.
The soldiers tell us that it is possible to pass, but those waiting
behind the detained truck cannot see that they can drive on.

The soldiers check the pedestrians’
I.D. cards and make sure that they pass one person at the time. They
do not check the I.D. cards of the people in the cars.