'Azzun 'Atma, Habla

‘Azzun ‘Atma, Habla

A regular day under the occupation and the sisyphic crossings at the checkpoints, when even if the soldiers do not abuse the people who cross but treat them humanely, the daily nightmare of having to cross the checkpoint never ends.

06:10 ‘Azzun ‘Atma – More than 40 people are waiting in line, but they pass through relatively quickly. We measure the time, 20 minutes. An army policeman tries to persuade us to move backwards. He insists– he is expecting inspection today. We refuse politely. There is no inspection before we leave.

07:05  Habla –The childrens' bus is driven  with the teachers from Habla towards Arab-Ramadin. It returns 20 minutes later to Habla with the children. The checkpoint opens late (at 07:00 instead of 6:30). We complain to the DCO. At least, the delay will be documented and hopefully next time they will open on time. The pump is still working on diesel oil but nobody can give us any information on the matter. At least, it is raining now, so the lack of water is not as urgent.

At 07:00 there is no longer any line. People, including wagons and horses, bicycles, vans and  private cars cross as they arrive. At 07:58 the gates close. They open again when a man from the plant nursery on his way to Habla arrives. Then the gates close again.