Awarta, Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Mon 24.12.07, Morning

Translation:  Suzanne O.

6:40 a.m.

At the entrance to Zeita there is a roadblock composed of concrete blocks.  There are cars there whose passengers alight.

Za'atra Junction

6:45 a.m. 

There is a transit van taxi with passengers and goods (clothes).  The soldier inspects each and every parcel.  He tears the packaging and checks thoroughly.  The driver repacks, using cellotape, he is skilled.  He says: "This does not happen once a day but hourly."  A soldier shouts at a bus driver.

There are 53 cars and taxis on their way from north to south.

Beit Furiq

7:15 a.m.

Today the roadblock opened at 5:30 a.m.  A taxi driver tells us that the soldiers behaved extremely badly yesterday but today everything is going smoothly.  There are not many cars waiting to cross.  Pedestrians cross without hindrance.

Awarta

7:40 a.m. 

There are four lorries waiting to enter Nablus.  10 lorries and five private vehicles wait at the exit from Nablus.

Huwwara

7:50 a.m. 

The queues are overflowing with people.  They wait about an hour at the roadblock on their way from Nablus to the south.  Pedestrians entering from Huwwara to Nablus are not inspected at all.

A dog handler and her dog are busy inspecting cars.

Yitzhar roadblock

8:45 a.m. 

Those who have been inspected at Huwwara roadblock have to undergo another inspection here.  Why not?  About 20 taxis and cars and four lorries are in the queue.

Za'atra

9:20 a.m. 

Were you inspected at Huwwara? And again at Yitzhar?  Never mind.  We'll inspect you at Za'atra for the third time.

There is a queue of over 70 vehicles.  Drivers doze at the wheel.  They wait patiently.  What else can they do?