Huwwara North & South

Huwwara, Thursday, 27.1.2005, AMObservers: Dana S, Yael B, Ada R, Nava A (reporting) 6.35 - Unannounced Israeli police checkpoint slightly east of Elkana and about half a km east of there another check. Tapuah junction only a few vehicles.Huwwara north Efficient routine work. The commander, male and female soldiers, MPs are courteous and “provide service” as if at an international border crossing.Huwwara south The turnstiles are still out of action and traffic os flowing on either side of them. Luckily the weather is springlike and there is no need for shelter from the rain. Women andmen over forty go through without showing documents. Because of the festival, numerous children on their way to Nablus7.15 – first detainee, released after less than half an hour.8.15 – several detainees released relatively fast, apart from one young man without papers of any kind. He says he’s under 16.. The sergeant commander tries to elicit details but the name he gives is not on the records.8.45 – He remains in the detainees pen and tries to converse with the soldiers, first normal tone then a shout and finaly curses. One of the soldiers screams at him and attacks him. Luckily the commander separates them before an incident ensues. Two of our observers try to talk to him but he doesn’t cooperate. Both we and the commander summon DCO representatives and two arrive. After long discussions in Arabic and Hebrew they conclude that he is disturbed in some way and should be sent home.9.15 – The checkpoint team are reinforced by a dog-trainer and dog which helps check cars. The commander’s attitude to us was erratic, at first friendly and joking, then he complained we were disturbing him and moved us back and finally he threatened to summon the police.17 vehicles waiting at the Tapuah junction.