Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Sun 2.8.09, Morning
Translation: Suzanne O.
Za'atra
8:10 a.m.
The roadblock from the west is at a standstill, from the north there are 6 cars.
Huwwara
8:20 a.m.
The car park is completely empty. Only the old man selling chewing gum wanders around.
When we step across to the car crossing a soldier runs over to stop us. The impression is that when we near the roadblock we endanger the State. We ask to speak to the roadblock commander or the DCO representative. The commander comes over and claims that we are not permitted to get near the roadblock. As there was nothing to do there we did not argue with him and stood at the edge of the area.
The traffic is heavy in both directions, random inspections from the direction of Nablus. There are no inspections of those entering Nablus, but a lorry trying to drive into the town is refused and has to turn back.
Beit Furiq
8:40 a.m.
The roadblock looks abandoned. There isn't a soldier in view. Cars drive into Nablus without being forced to stop.
Huwwara DCO
8:50 a.m.
When we arrived a group of people entered the DCO. There is no queue. A number of people sit in the shade of the awning, some of them are selling coffee or cold drinks and others appear to be waiting for people who are in the DCO.
While we were there another person arrived and immediately went into the DCO.
9:30 a.m.
We took S., from Huwwara, to visit his son who has been in hospital in Israel for the last 2 years in a vegetative state.
Za'atra
9:40 a.m.
There are 16 vehicles at the roadblock; a bus is being inspected in the car park.