'Azzun 'Atma, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 8.7.10, Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.

14:45  We drove on a hot summer day through the village of Haris, to Kifl Haris and saw the tomb of Caleb ben Yefuneh.  Twice a year, when religious believers visit the tomb, the army accompanies them and closes the village.

We continued via the village of Qira, from which we had a wide-angle view of Ariel spreading out in a line on the hilltops, below which we could see the Marda ghetto.

Our winding road passed dusty Jamma’in – only one vehicle can pass at a time.  When a vehicle comes from the other direction it has to back up.  The road ascends and descends dangerously.  From there we continued to Einabus, which is connected to Huwwara.

Until the roadblock to Route 5 was removed (about a month ago), this was the way to reach Nablus and not be stopped by roadblocks.  The road is visible from the west to people driving on the regular route.

We saw few adults and children outside the houses.

16:20  Huwwara checkpoint –
As we got out of the car in the parking lot, a determined soldier hurried over to us urgently and forbade us to go to our usual observation point.  He says those are new orders.  Since we were shown no printed order, we stood where we usually do.

Palestinian vehicles traveled quickly to and from Nablus, without stopping.  Two soldiers stand next at the inspection station next to the parking lot, as at the inspection station for those leaving Nablus.

16:55  Za’tara checkpoint –
Empty.  New signs opposing the settlement freeze are posted on the checkpoint fences, undisturbed.

17:05  Opposite Marda, on the hill to the west, stands a military jeep; soldiers serving as observers alongside it.

Before leaving the West Bank and driving west, we see a convoy of military vehicles coming toward us at the Shomron Gate.

17:20  Azzun Atma checkpoint – no line.