Morning

Huwwara and Saara Checkpoints, Saturday morning, 27 Dec 2003.MachsomWatch Observers: V.T., V.G., H.H., and V.B. A "strict closure" ["seger ve-keter"; military cordon and restriction of movement] has been imposed on the Nablus area, from the time of the bombing at the Geha junction; recall that the bomber was from Bet Furik. Tapuah junction:Only residents of Huwwara were allowed to pass. We were denied entry as well; an earnest-faced soldier declared that "he cannot be responsible for our safety." So we took a roundabout route: turning left to Ariel, then to the right in the direction of Qedumim, then right again in the direction of Yitzhar.We stopped at Sara, and proceeded to Huwwara. Huwwara Checkpoint:The CP was closed except for humanitarian and medical cases. The Saara CP was closed exept for serious medical emergencies, [meaning:] "if somebody is going to die". We did not try to get to Bet Furik since the soldiers told us that the village is under total curfew. Saara checkpoint:The CP is on a hill, with a pillbox on top. Last month we encountered an iron gate at the bottom of the hill. People left transportation thereand had to climb on foot. But on this shift we did not see any public transportation. The iron gate was open so we could drive up.The CP underwent some "development" - earth mounds and concrete blocks. We encountered two soldiers in a Palestinian car (stolen, so they claimed) and then an armored vehicle with an officer.One of the two soldiers was highly ambivalent, declared "he will not talk to us" but then proceeded to do so in a hesitant manner. We were told that the vehicle was damaged yesterday by explosives which were left at the CP, and because of that the CP was refitted with increased fortification and declared "armored" [memugan], and will be operated in the present fashion in the future as well.We were ordered away from Saara, due to "security warnings". We saw some people returning downhill, who were denied entry. The officer declared that only the dying, in ambulances could possibly pass at this time. Huwwara checkpoint:The two CPs in the two directions were united into one. Soldiers and officer Itai were approachable and listening, and did not sound very fanatic about the efficacy of CP strictness in ensuring the Security of the State.We managed to help quite a few people who were not "dying in ambulances". Ambulances:Lots of them, both ways, a familiar sight during total closures. Ambulances were checked thoroughly, but were allowed to pass, carrying not only the sick but also medical personnel.The disadvantage is that people with serious medical conditions (dialysis, whatnot) who manage to get to the CP on taxis or on foot, are allowed to pass only in ambulances. Elad, the DCO [civil administration] officer, is a strict enforcer of this rule.And the ambulances cost money, 100 NIS from the village, 50 NIS from one side of the CP to another - so we were told. The soldiers call it, "ambu-taxi." Cars with medical equipment were also allowed to pass.Teachers, students, and DCO "tasrikh" (passage permit) holders were denied passage.A young, frustrated girl with a mom tried to convey the soldier that she REALLY has to pass school exams on this day but it did not help.Three ladies who had to make a payment installment in the Nablus bank for the Hajj were stopped as well. 07:20, On the way to Huwwara, at the Kochav Yair junction (opposite Shaar Binyamin industrial zone):We encountered a roadblock in the form of a "flying" (impromptu) CP ["machsom peta"] in the direction of Jerusalem, and a long queue of some 60 cars. (We saw same on previous Saturday shifts before.)V. called Naama asking to send support to expedite things. Later on the way back there were only four cars there.