'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Mon 2.1.12, Afternoon
- 3:20 Habla agricultural gate
The gate is open; few people cross in each direction, a man leads a horse, the children’s bus. Today is rainy.
Three soldiers get on the bus to inspect. Kitted out and armored from head to toe. Only two children and the driver on the bus today. That’s the operational mission of IDF soldiers.
We sit a bit with Omar to talk about the plant nursery. This evening they’re holding a private party here. Omar invited the head of the Nablus municipal council and the mayor of Qalqilya, who are friends of his, to a fish dinner.
14:30 - The municipal council of seven villages at the Zibad junction. The head of the council was no longer there when we arrived; we wanted to meet with him and find out about the permit situation for the olive harvest this year.
The roads have been repaired and upgraded; they’re unrecognizable. Prominent signs point the way to the villages, announcing their presence despite the Occupation’s efforts to conceal them.
We saw new poultry barns along the way, a new source of income, with signs from US-AID. The almond trees are blossoming! One month before Tu B’Shvat!
We drove via Funduq to Highway 55 on our way to Azzun Atma.
15:30 -16:00
We observed the Azzun Atma checkpoint. There were no lines today at this time. Workers at the adjacent laundry told us that the difficulties and congestion begin after 16:00, and continue to 17:30.