'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Huwwara, Tue 31.1.12, Afternoon

13:45  Habla

We arrived as the checkpoint was closing; there’s not much traffic at this hour.  At 2 PM a vehicle loaded with khubeiza came from the direction of the plant nurseries.  It was inspected on the road between the two fences and then continued to Habla.

14:04

  They closed the gate and we left.

14:30

We continued to Huwwara on Highway 60, between Jit junction and Burin/Yitzhar junction.  We saw from the road three military vehicles standing next to a school/public building in Madama.  We saw no one in the area other than soldiers.  Since there was no way to reach Madama directly from our location, we continued driving.

After turning onto Highway 57 we were almost forced off the road by a police car chasing a scooter bearing yellow license plates.  The two vehicles weaved between the many cars driving in both directions; it was a miracle there wasn’t an accident.

14:50  Huwwara

Soldiers at the checkpoint.  In response to our question they said they were ordered to descend from the tower  because the people on the scooter might try to reach Nablus.  Cars drive to and from Nablus without stopping.

15:25  Za’tara

The checkpoint is manned.  A police car parked next to one of the booths.  Vehicles aren’t being stopped.

15:50  Azzun Atma

A market is developing in the village, near the checkpoint.

When we arrived there was a line of about 30 people waiting to return home after a work-day in the settlements, construction, maintenance and manufacturing goods to help the Israeli economy grow.  People were inspected one-by-one.  A couple of minutes later they started checking two at a time, but more and more people arrived and the line grew longer.  And as the line lengthened, and the day drew to a close, it grew colder and colder.  One man poured out the bitterness in his heart at the situation, criticizing the Palestinian politicians willing to negotiate with Israel while it continues to build and expand the settlements.  We shouldn’t think the Palestinians are anxious to have jobs working for Israel.  They work for Israelis because they don’t have a choice.

Petahya called the humanitarian office twice, and once to Chana B. as well, but things weren’t going any faster by the time we left.

A phenomenon that repeats itself at this checkpoint:  vehicles transporting laborers to the checkpoint carry more passengers than is permitted.  Not only that, but the vehicle starts driving off before all the passengers have gotten out, and they have to jump out while it’s moving.

16:46  We left.