'Azzun 'Atma, Habla, Thu 21.3.13, Morning

 Translator: Hanna k.

5:50Azzun Atma CP.The usual annoying picture: a detailed installation of fences and turnstiles and cubicles for the checking of documents. The queue is not very long but it doesn't become shorter as all the time more workers arrive. The checking is relatively quick and the checking of the bags is partial (only rucksacks are checked, not food bags. We stand and look on quietly for about ten minutes before the military policewoman becomes bothered and comes up to us announcing "this is a military area and you are disturbing". Our innocent question: "if this is a military area how come Palestinian citizens go around here?" is answered by the slogan: "this is a military area and you are disturbing…." Our attempt to understand how we disturb is now answered except by the well known threat: we shall stop letting Palestinians pass if you won't go away. We are pushed back and we insist moving only to the point from which we can continue and observe the passage.

06:50  Habla Gate.When we arrived the gate was open. It is opened from 6:30 to 8:00. Contrary to the usual procedure the big gate is wide open, which enables a more comfortable passage for the vehicles, but the checking is performed as usual (one leaves the vehicle, the bicycles, the donkey on the side) one enters the papers checking room, one re-emerges after the checking, one leaves the papers in the hands of the soldier, one returns to the parting point to take the vehicle and pass on to the other side and on the way one stops for the checking of the vehicle\cart and for receiving the ID card. This is what we call: "as usual, without special problems"…After the minibuses with the children on their way to school pass we leave and drive to the Bedouin village of Arab A Ramadin in order to visit there the school which has been built for children of the lower grades. We are cordially welcomed and at about eight o'clock the director from Qalqiliya and the teachers arrive. TZviya takes the details of the teacher who has already complained at the former visit that he cannot get electricity to his home, although the electricity pole is situated in a built up area on his own plot that has been confiscated. Tzviya will try to check whether something could be done in the matter.