Arab ar ramadin, Azzun Atma, Habla, Izbat Tabib, Wed 29.2.12, Afternoon

Natanya translating.

12.55 Habla. The soldiers arrived to open the gates just as we arrived. On the Israeli side where we were two workers and from the other side a car with 8 workers. The small number of workers was probably related to the bad weather. It is hard to work the fields in such winds. It took a few minutes before the checkpoint was opened to traffic.  From the moment it was opened it only took a few minutes for people to go through.
For the car to be checked the driver has to alight, to give his documents.
The car is checked inside and also the baggage compartment. While we were standing there more pedestrians and cars passed through. The pedestrians usually have to wait until there are five in number. We were happy to see that because of the bad weather they were able to go through one by one. The workers say that the checkpoint opens too late. It only opens at 7.00 and they arrive late to their fields.

13.20  Arab Ar Ramadin. The weather is bad and we see no one. One can see the remains of huts which have been destroyed. Two men come towards us and say that the electric lines which have been placed near the area for Alfei Menashe settlement are very low and near the roof of the huts and they are worried that it will harm their health.

13.50 We entered Izbat Tabib and Khirbet Asla. The fence of the school at Izbat Tabib had been completely painted in the Palestinian flag's colors. Nice.
We thought that the Israelis would be annoyed to see this.  We photographed it and have added the photos.

We drove through Azzun, Jayyus to the gate at Falmiya. At 14.20 the gate was empty.
The rain becomes stronger and the soldiers come out of the post towards us to ask us not to come any nearer with the car. It is suspicious and the commander of the post says, "These are not our friends here."

14.45 Azzun Atma. We saw few workers, all going towards the village.