Deir Sharaf, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Mon 1.2.10, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Tom K., Ziona S. (reporting)
Feb-1-2010
|
Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.

 14:00  The entrance to Zeita is still blocked.  About 10 cars parked at the checkpoint on the village side.

Za’tara junction – Two positions are manned, but traffic flows without delays. 

14:25 Huwwara CP 
Traffic entering flows without delays.  Only one exit booth is manned.  Vehicles to be inspected are directed to the right-hand lane, so the others can continue on their way. 
Four taxis are detained for some reason, preventing traffic from flowing.
 The DCO and another soldiers come toward us happily.  We ask whether some criterion guides the selection of vehicles for inspection.  We understood that the Border Police soldiers have an inspection quota to fill.  For some reason, only taxis and minibuses are stopped.  Maybe they fill the quota faster.The happy soldier claims to like the checkpoint.  He didn’t answer our question about what there was to like about it, but it was enough to give us the feeling that although things were relatively quiet, and the easing of restrictions, something distorted the perceptions of people serving at the checkpoints. 

14:55  Deir Sharaf/Barrels checkpoint – not manned. 

15:10  Anabta –
The positions are empty.  We imagine, based on past experience, that the tower is manned.
 

15:30  Irtah –
The parking lot is full of minivans dropping off laborers, but there are no lines at the turnstiles.  We understood the miracle when we came nearer.  The positions at the entrance aren’t manned, and the laborers go through the turnstile and come out smiling.