'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Qalqiliya, Za'tara (Tapuah), Wed 29.12.10, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Didika Y., Riva B.
Dec-29-2010
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Afternoon

Translator: Chrles K

 

13:50  Habla agricultural gate:  The gate was open when we arrived.  Two buses with the children were being inspected at the inner gate.  The buses had arrived at 13:15, and left only at 14:15.  We called Tedesa, the crossings officer to raise the issue of how long the pupils have to wait for the gate to be opened.  He told us that he’d met today with Miki F. and Tami C., and asked them to have the head of the Ramadinlocal council contact him about the children’s bus.  He said that the hours the checkpoint is now open are based on what he was told at the beginning of the year regarding when the children’s bus arrives.  He’ll take care of it again after the head of the local council provides the correct times.  Will he???  I apologized for not knowing he’d already been contacted.

 

14:20  Qalqiliya:  No soldiers at the entrance to the city.

 

15:05  Huwwara checkpoint:  As Karin and Shoshi reported yesterday, it seems at first glance there are no soldiers at the checkpoint and we crossed toward Nablus preceded and followed by many cars, to make a U-turn a few hundred meters farther on.  It was a unique experience!!  When we drove through the checkpoint on our way out we discovered there were soldiers (near the structure that was formerly the pedestrian checkpoint).  They motioned to us, we waved to them and drove on.

 

15:40  Za’tara (Tapuach) junction:  The checkpoint is manned, vehicles aren’t being delayed.

 

16:05  Azzun Atma checkpoint:  A long line waiting.  People complain it’s much worse in the morning – the wait is between 1 ½ - 2 hours long.!  The two inspection booths were open.  The few people leaving Azzun Atma crossed through the main entrance and their IDs and permits were inspected by an MP who stood there.