'Azzun 'Atma, Habla

'Azzun 'Atma, Habla

Quiet and orderliness are the rule today, although yesterday the gate at Habla didn't open at all in the morning and it is not clear why.

The pump at Habla has still not been returned and, in spite of our pressure and that of others, right now it is supposed to be released today. (Tuesday I tried to clarify what was happening but I couldn't make contact with the man in charge).

06:10  'Azzun 'Atma

about 50 people in line.  The sun is scorching.  The vehicles gate remains open, which makes things easier for those going through to also bring their equipment with them, after going through the  inspection of documents and travel permits.  The line remains steady, since others replace those having gone through.  The time for passage which we measured was about 15 minutes.  There were 5 coffee boys circulating at the checkpoint, approaching each person in the hope of selling something.  At a certain point, a soldier sent them back to the Palestinian side of the checkpoint.  The military police woman asked him why he did that and he answered "because they were making a balagan.  (confusion).  We haven't noticed that any of their activity intrudes on the order of things...pure nastiness, since the soldier is the king of the world.  A jeep patrol arrives with some infiltrator they caught who really looks like a child, less than 16, but he is a criminal and had gone through a hole in the fence in order to get some work.  Now he is sent to a corner until they decide to release him.

07:00  Habla

The well is still not functioning and the pumps are "stored" in the DCO office near Tzofin, while their idleness is collecting money for the State of Israel.  Why not?  said the DCO.  Also if your car is towed, you have to pay a storage fee until you get it back.  According to the Palestinians, yesterday morning the Hablah gate did not open and they were all stuck on their way to work.  When we arrived, there was no line but, at about 7:30, nearing the closing time, a lot of people arrived, so the soldiers opened an additional inspection booth, with an extra computer, at the guard station and everyone went through by 08:00, when the gates closed.