'Azzun, Jayyus, Jubara (Kafriat), Kufr Jammal, Kufr Sur

We drove to visit our friend Z. in ‘Azzun and bring him used clothes for his shop.  We planned to arrive at the Sal’it gate at 14:00, which is the time indicated on the form sent by the army.

From ‘Azzun we drove toward Jayyous and continued on Highway 554 toward Tulkarm.  On the way we stopped at the entrance to Kafr Jammal to ask workers in a garage directions to the gate.  While they explained they gave us coffee and told us there were many problems at the gate.  We learned that it’s not only an agricultural gate but also used by laborers from the area employed in the industrial zone next to Sal’it.  They also told us that in the past they’d had no problems with the residents of Sal’it, and before the fence was erected they had good neighborly relations.  We continued on a winding road.  We turn left at a sign pointing to Zibad village.  We continued on a road leading toward Tulkarm.  We saw a vehicle speeding toward us on the road flying two Machsom Watch flags.  We realized it was Karin and Ronny Perlman’s shift at the Falamya gate.  For a moment I had the feeling our shifts patrolled the area as frequently as the army’s jeeps.  Would it were true!!!  It’s too bad the Falamya gate opens only at 14:00 and the nearby Sal’it gate at 16:00.  We should try to combine the shifts at those gates.

We reached a junction with a plaza.  To get to Kafr Sur we had to go left at the plaza and drive uphill.  At the top of the hill we reached a grocery store.  A handicapped man sat in a wheelchair; his name is Rami.  He told us we’d missed the turn toward the gate, and we understood it opened daily at 16:00 – “but if they see you they’ll open only at 18:00,” he said, laughing.  He said the soldier don’t show up on time.

At 15:00 we returned the way we came, accompanied by one of the guys we met at the grocery.

To reach the gate itself you have to drive down a steep path into the wadi and continue on an unpaved road.  It had been raining all morning and we saw from the top of the path that the entire route was filled with mud and decided not to descend this time.  We saw many cars at the gate.

I think we should come to this gate at least once at 6 AM to see how the entry of laborers and farmers is organized, and to come also at 4 in the afternoon.

From there we drove toward the Jubara checkpoint; we passed Arras, near the location of the Jubara children’s gate ten years earlier.  We don’t miss those days but are disappointed that nothing has changed for the better since then.  Things have only become worse.