'Awarta, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Shomron Crossing, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 15.4.10, 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].

14:45  Jit junction is empty.

14:55  Before the turnoff to the apartheid road leading toward Awarta we saw for the first time orange signs with the names of Palestinian villages in Arabic and in English.

15:03  Beit Furik checkpoint – We saw no soldiers at the checkpoint.  We can’t see whether there’s a soldier in the tower.  The checkpoint is open 24 hours a day (according to the humanitarian office).

15:05  Awarta checkpoint – In response to our question, a soldier replies that the checkpoint is open from 06:00 – 20:00.  His commander comes over and hisses, threateningly, that he not talk to us.  The soldier reprimanded (for telling us when the checkpoint is open!) says, rudely, “Get out of here.”

Five vehicles on the truck line leaving Nablus toward Awarta await inspection.

On our way to the Huwwara checkpoint you can see buildings that had been built on the  hill across the way, between Burin and the Bracha settlement, which had been empty: the settlement is expanding.

15:15 Huwwara checkpoint – Open 24 hours a day (according to the humanitarian office).  Heavy traffic in both directions.  Soldiers sometimes stop vehicles.  A vehicle that’s been stopped parks on the side and doesn’t interfere with traffic.

We again photographed the Hebrew graffiti on the wall of the quarry near the apartheid road leading to the Bracha settlement.

S., from the humanitarian office, says he’ll try to find out how to get them erased.

The army presence is felt in Huwwara.

15:45  We saw that there had been an unsuccessful attempt to erase the stone mosque wall that had been fouled by settlers. 

15:55  A Border Police jeep is parked in the parking lot next to Beita.

Again we see abusive graffiti in Hebrew, this time on one of the Palestinian houses near the turn to Beita, on the main road to Za’tara. 
 

16:00  Za’tara checkpoint – Even though the soldiers aren’t inspecting vehicles, they don’t bother waving them through – and a line of 17 vehicles forms.  Drivers fear that if they go through without being told to do so, they’ll be punished.

The checkpoint is open 24 hours a day (according to the humanitarian office).

On the fence around the checkpoint hang signs calling on students from the Har Bracha yeshiva not to submit to the army’s demand to transfer to a different yeshiva or to leave the military yeshiva.

On the hitchhiking station near the checkpoint fence is a large inscription:  “Tapuach is Kahane!” 

16:05  The entrance to Zeita-Jamma’in is closed, as always.

16:20  Shomron crossing – Random inspections of those entering Israel.  ID cards, vehicle trunks.

According to the humanitarian office, the checkpoint is open Mon.-Thurs. from 05:00-21:00.  Friday – 05:00-15:00.  Saturday:  08?00-09:00, 12:00-14:00, 20:00-21:00.