DCO-Huwara

On our experiences at the Liaison Office.Upon our arrival at the Hawwara checkpoint, we met the two Palestinians – A.A.H. and R.D. – who waited for us in order that we go together to the Liaison Office to find out why they are not entitled to a magnetic card. (Answers about such matters are not given to Palestinians). We took them in our car and they guided us to the place where Palestinians wait in line.We arrived there around 1200. Some 70 people were standing in line in an open area, in front of the military compound of the Liaison Office. The compound is surrounded by a fence, and a camouflaged control tower rises from it (“with a difference” – it reminds the stockade-and-tower era ....).Even with the heavy camouflage, a gun clearly stuck out pointed at the public and a vague outline of a soldier was visible.The line did not move. There were those waiting since 6 in the morning. People were on edge, pushing, and the line goes on and on. Two Palestinians stand at the head of the line and “keep order”. We asked them on whose behalf they do this, because we assumed that maybe they were assigned by the Liaison Office. They answered that they do this of their own accord, in order that there be no excuse for the commanders to stop the advance of the line.A.and R. who came with us wanted us to take them to the head of the line directly to the gate.While we explained to them that under no circumstance will we circumvent the line, a young man stepped out from the line and scolded us that we should not cause any disorder. He explained to us that Sharon should shoot all Palestinians, because he is fed up. We reassured him that we do not plan to overtake the line.After some time (according to our assumption – after we were noticed, and because of that) out of the watchtower a noise sprang: wahad, wahad (one by one) and a sign was given that we should move forward one by one to the gate. Each person approaching, while coming closer, lifted his shirt, turned around and only after showing his body from all directions – continued to enter the compound. We felt the humiliation.A combination of frustration and humor – made us “behave” like them:We proceeded towards the gate, and while proceeding – we lifted our shirt, turned around, lowered it again and went on going toward the entrance ..It became clear that inside the line continues to form. There are 5 windows that are well barred (counters), one can hardly see the person sitting behind the bars “in order to help”. Of these, 3 windows are operative: 1. for receiving the magnetic card. 2. for requesting the magnetic card. 3. for requesting and receiving the “pass”.We talked to the exhausted Palestinians. Some of them asked for our help, that we do our best for them.We noted down some of the problems, we noted their telephone numbers in order to give them answers, yet with little hope, but with the good intention to do our best.Not much time passed before the commander – Gil’ad – came out towards us with a stern expression, and ordered us to leave the area under the pretext that it is a military area. Only those falling under the aegis of the Liaison Office are allowed to enter, and not the citizens. We gained some time, and after more orders to leave the place – we left with the requests in our hands, without knowing if any results can be attained.When we were already outside the gate, we turned again to the commander Gil’ad and requested to enter and ask some questions. He agreed and let us in. He brought up our lifting of the shirts with some excitement out of his absolute certainty that we planned to report that the soldiers required this of us. At that moment Ra’ad – the commander of the Liaison Office – came out and told Gil’ad to close all the windows until we leave the area, but in the end, instead of doing so, he invited us into his office.We entered our car with A.and R. who waited outside for us, and drove together to the gate of the cars.We parked at the entrance and wanted to enter on foot. We advised the two to wait for us in the car outside the gate. The guard at the entrance asked us who our two hitchhikers were. We answered that they are two Palestinians whom we want to help. The guard told us that it is forbidden to let them wait near the base. On our question whether the road is for Jews only, the answer was in the affirmative, and added that Palestinians pass there only blindfolded.Although we were outraged, we returned them to the checkpoint Hawara and came back without them.Upon our return, a policeman awaited us: “You broke the law by unseemly behavior in a public place”. We did not understand what law we broke. It transpired that by lifting our shirts we did a deed that should not be done. The policeman wrote down our identification. In the meantime Ra’ad the commander of the Liaison Office had returned and he reassured the policeman and let us into his office for a conversation.The first question Ra’ad asked us: “Did anyone ask you to lift your shirt?” After we made perfectly clear to Ra’ad that this was done on our own initiative, the atmosphere calmed down somewhat, but Ra’ad continued: “We have never ever requested a Palestinian woman to lift her shirt! Why did you perform this provocation against the army? After all you are citizens of the State of Israel, and you surely have children or grandchildren in the army, so why?”We explained that we had no intention of performing a provocation, but that we simply felt the need to identify with the Palestinians.And then we asked a question: “if you ask of the men only to lift their shirt, and you don’t require it of the women (while there are female suicide bombers), is this a security consideration?”He explained that we come from different places: he from the military routine, over which he is in charge, and we from the civilian side. And added and informed us that when we come to the Liaison Office, it is within his power – if he thinks it justified – to stop the work at the counters and send all the Palestinians home.And thereby we apparently had exhausted the subject.Thereafter we asked if we too may ask questions. He consented.He heard us out with extreme patience. We spoke at length. Some of the subjects were mentioned at the start of this report (about all the varieties of permits and how to get them).At the questions of why no explanation is given to a person when he is not eligible for a card or a pass and he is left “in the air”, he answered: “we have no time to give an answer during half an hour to everybody”. Anyway he assured us he would look into several things, and on the spot turned to the commander Gil’ad, who sat in on the meeting, and asked him to tell and write down for each applicant when to come back to get an answer. (according to the expression on Gil’ad’s face it is difficult to believe that he indeed will do so).At the end of the conversation he suggested that we visit incognito and see for ourselves how alright and “fair” he is in executing the rules. We refrained from expressing our opinion that no fair application of rigid rules can convert this place and the mechanism into acceptable (kosher).The specific requests we presented to him (from those we received from the Palestinians waiting in line and those from those who waited for us at the checkpoint) were not honored. According to him for everything there is a reason.We left the place disappointed, and especially – disappointing those who sent us to help them. It was difficult for us to see the dejection on the faces of A. and R. who awaited us at the checkpoint.“I have two children, I am out of work for 3 years. What will become of me and my family? How long will this last like this ..?”