Haris, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Tue 14.2.12, Morning
We drove on Highway 5 toward Za’tara. The east/west checkpoint is manned by soldiers and police; police are also checking cars going toward Nablus.
On our way to Huwwara we see heavy traffic of military vehicles.
They’re widening Huwwara’s main road (an extremely important project). No soldiers at the checkpoint, cars go through without inspection, but as soon as we got out of the car three soldiers came down from the observation tower to tell us that we can’t stand there long.
We turned toward Einabus; the landscape is lovely and we see people preparing to plant trees.
A Palestinian Authority vehicle collects roadside garbage in Kif al-Hars.
At the Hars club the women waited, ready for the English and knitting classes. They’re very glad to participate in the activities. During the English class they spoke a little about difficulties in their lives. A few young women, university graduates, can’t find jobs so they sit home.
One of the women brought her 24 year old daughter who has Down Syndrome. She has no framework, is home all day. There’s a boarding school in Salfit but her parents don’t want to send her there.
There was a sense of despair to the discussion, people saying that there’s nothing here in Palestine.