'Anabta, 'Azzun, Beit Iba, Deir Sharaf, Eliyahu Crossing, Habla, Jubara (Kafriat), Shave Shomron, Te'enim Crossing, Mon 30.5.11, Morning
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07:00 Habla
The gates opened on time, but crossing is very slow.
It took seven minutes to inspect the first five, and that continued. An MP outside waved the bus drivers through, as well as Palestinians with special permits. But most people had to wait a very long time. It turned out the computer has been down for a few days. We notified the humanitarian office.
07:45 We left
07:50 Eliyahu crossing
There are still about 20 Palestinians waiting to go through.
08:00 We drove on Izbet Tabib’s local road to see the new fence. It’s still not completed but it’s possible to see how, when it’s done, it will block access to the olive trees.
We drove via 'Azzun to Jayyus, and through the lovely orchards to the Falamya agricultural gate .Work paving the road to Tulkarm is continuing and all traffic takes a side road, raising much dust.There is very little traffic at the gate.
We continued on the Falamya bypass road to Kufr Jamal and through other villages, in all of which roads are being paved and widened. We returned to Route 55 via Funduq.
We saw no soldiers or military vehicles on the road during our entire drive (including Jit junction).
A completely new neighborhood is under construction at Qedumim.
We drove along the Shavei Shomron wall through Deir Sharaf to Route 60. A few Israeli pickup trucks and people looking at maps stood in the empty lot opposite the location where the checkpoint and the gate to that settlement once stood.
I recommend going by there from time to time to see whether anything changes!!
Since a new member had joined us, we drove to Beit Iba to show her the remains of the terrible checkpoint that was there. We found it difficult to describe to her how awful it was, and how one day Israel’s security no longer required it.
We stopped for a coffee break and pastry at our friend’s grocery/bakery in Deir Sharaf.
On our way back we saw a number of military vehicles on the road.
We drove via 'Anabta, and were surprised to come upon two Israeli vehicles at the checkpoint, from which three officers emerged. We also left our car to observe them. They ignored us, of course, and discussed the condition of the road at the abandoned checkpoint, examined what had been installed there for the greater glory of the state of Israel, and drove on.
At the same time, Palestinian vehicles were driving back and forth, ignored by the soldiers in the guard tower.
In our honor, a soldier climbed down and asked what we’re doing. Observing, we replied. He asked us not to go through the checkpoint. We agreed…
On the way back we went through the entrance to Avnei Hefets to show Leora how the settlement has taken over Shufa’s lands and prevents free passage between the two parts of the village, and access to the main road.
We returned home via the Te’anim crossing (Jabara). We began to tell Leora about Jabara and Abu Hattam, but it made us sad and weary.
There were no serious or unusual incidents during our shift, but it again provided a clear example of how difficult the occupation routine is.