'Azzun 'Atma, Eliyahu Crossing, Ras 'Atiya, Thu 15.4.10, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Niva S., Yehudit L. (reporting and photographing)
Apr-15-2010
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Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.

 

Again we photographed the abusive graffiti in Hebrew at Huwwara and in the area.

 

We tried to discover when the checkpoints were open [to update the website as well].

 

13:40  A new checkpoint is under construction next to the wall which also is now surrounding Ras at Tira 
– it will replace the checkpoint next to Ras Atiya.

 
The new checkpoint at Ras Tira

A bus carrying children returning from school to their homes in Ras at Tira is at the current checkpoint. 
The bus is inspected and drives to the village, which is very near.  Soon there will be no checkpoint there.  Because it will be moved and cover both villages in one enclave.  But today there are inspections. 
The soldiers at the checkpoint don’t know whether they are allowed to confirm that they’ll soon be relocated to the Ras at Tira checkpoint.  Nor are they willing to say when the checkpoint at which they’re now standing is open.  They’re willing to say only that it’s open 12 hours a day.  In response to the question, “What if I’m a Palestinian, and want to know when it’s open?”, we receive the standard answer: “They know.”

 

13:50  Eliyahu Crossing –  is open 24 hours a day (according to the humanitarian office)

A police car is giving tickets to many cars belonging to Palestinians from Israel.

 

13:55  Nabi Elias village – Because of a traffic accident in the village, we were stuck in a big traffic jam for a long time.  The line of cars also stretched behind us, certainly all the way to the Eliyahu gate.  We waited to see when the police car giving the tickets will show up to deal with the huge jam.   It took it half an hour to reach the accident, and we could drive on to Nablus CPs.

 

16:26.  Azzun Atma southern checkpoint – The checkpoint is open 17 hours – 05:00-22:30.  Here, too, the soldiers don’t know whether they’re allowed to provide that information   Azzun Atma northern checkpoint is manned by soldiers but people crossing aren’t inspected.  Open 24 hours a day.

 

There wasn’t any wait when we arrived at the checkpoint.  Now a line of laborers returning home for the weekend begins to form, waiting to have the IDs and permits checked.

    

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