'Azzun 'Atma, Haris, Kifl Harith, Qira, Shomron Crossing, Mon 23.9.13, Morning
10:05 Kifl Haris. As usual, the village is quiet, almost deserted – most shops are closed, a few open. No army.
10:15 Qira. The village is quiet. We drove straight to the women’s club. We waited a bit until about ten women arrived and began a yoga class. All remove the black clothing covering them from head to foot, remain in t-shirts and pants. They’re in a good mood, participate actively and willingly, even in the difficult exercises. Working with them in this way is very satisfying.
After a while 3-4 more women arrived. Susie, who’d been participating in the yoga class, worked with them on sewing she’d brought with her. We held the two classes – yoga and crafts – simultaneously for about an hour and a half, and then conducted a short conversation in English with all of them.
12:15 Nadim arrived; we started back via Haris. It was also quiet here, most shops closed, except for groceries. We saw children coming home from school.
12:45 We drove to the 'Azzun 'Atma checkpoint, which was completely empty, no army or Palestinian cars. On the way to the checkpoint we saw the new fence under construction; the mesh hadn’t yet been installed. Nadim says that the purpose of new fence is to encircle buildings in 'Azzun which are now beyond the present fence, as well as to move the checkpoint slightly. That will create a total separation between the settlers’ road and those used by the villagers – in short, a flawless “apartheid” road!!!
13:10 We drove home via Kafr Qassem.