'Azzun 'Atma, Burin (Yitzhar), Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Thu 11.11.10, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Shosh A., Yehudit L. (reporting)
Nov-11-2010
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Afternoon

Translator:  Charles K.

 

Anniversary of Yasser Arafat’s death – ceremony in Ramallah.

Unusually heavy traffic jams.

13:48  Shomron crossing:  A Border Police soldier asks our driver to show his ID card.

14:48  Za’tara checkpoing:  A line of some 60 vehicles at the checkpoint, coming from the direction of Nablus to Ramallah.  There’s also heavy traffic from Ramallah toward Nablus.  We called the humanitarian office; Y. said he’d look into and take care of it.

15:00  Burin-Route 60:  We didn’t see a flying checkpoint, but we saw one on the way back.

15:03  In front of the plaza next to the Huwwara checkpoint, a soldier in the guard tower pointing his rifle.  Exceedingly heavy traffic at the checkpoint itself, in both directions.

A white minibus is parked near the position manned by the soldiers inspecting those entering Nablus, from which young men exit one by one (apparently returning from the memorial ceremony).  They’re brought to an army jeep and talk to the soldier seated within.  An Israeli flag flies above them, symbol of the occupation – a particularly pitiable situation.

The checkpoint commander approaches us after having greeted us when we arrived, and tells us we’re forbidden to photograph.

Random inspections of cars coming from both directions only increases even more the number of vehicles waiting.

15:40  A flying checkpoint at the Burin-Route 60 junction:  spike barrier, soldiers in a command car across the road don’t allow turns to Jit and Tulkarm.  Another reason for the mass of cars – all vehicles must go via Nablus.

15:47  Za’tara checkpoint:  the mass of vehicles from Nablus has lessened but we saw earlier that vehicles are still waiting at the Huwwara checkpoint; there are still very many cars coming from Ramallah.

Two buses detained in the parking lot.  Behind one of them a circle of Palestinian youths and two soldiers.

16:00  Shomron crossing – Again our driver is asked for his ID card; inspection of the vehicle’s interior.

16:05  Azzun Atma checkpoint:  About 15 laborers on line to be inspected.

A group of laborers wearing identical clothing arrives; the soldiers let them through without inspection. 

 

 

 

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