'Awarta, 'Azzun 'Atma, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 5.8.10, Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.
 

14:54  Za’tara checkpoint. 
Random inspections.  Passengers in a white minibus wait for their IDs to be returned to them after inspection.  They were released 6 minutes later (we started timing them when we arrived). 
Heavy vehicular traffic from the direction of Ramallah toward Nablus.

15:15  Huwwara checkpoint. 
The checkpoint is manned in both directions.  Random checks of people leaving Nablus. 
An additional soldier in an observation post in front of the checkpoint.

Signs of last week’s fire between the village of Burin and the settlement of Bracha are visible near the checkpoint.  We’ll send photos.

On the concrete walls of the hitchhiking stations near the checkpoint are recent posters opposing the constructing freeze; announcing a planned hike from Nablus to Jericho for masses of participants; and other similar proclamations by settlers.

15:40  Beit Furik checkpoint. 
A soldier at the observation window in the tower.  A command-car is parked next to the tower.

Local vehicular traffic isn’t interfered with. 
A vehicle with Israeli plates, driven by a woman, isn’t allowed into Nablus.

We’ll send a photo of a hand-drawn sign forbidding local Palestinian residents from turning onto the Madison route/apartheid road (toward Elon Moreh).

15:50  Awarta checkpoint.  No vehicles waiting.

Two army jeeps pass by us in the village of Huwwara. 

16:50  Za’tara checkpoint. 
Two people detained by the Israeli police.  The lids of their car trunks are open.

17:20  Azzun Atma checkpoint.  No line.