Huwwara South

Huwwara South, Tuesday 8.2.05, PMObservers: Rahel B-A., Chana C.14:20 There are road blocks all over: at Shavey Shomron, the long checkpoint has started to move; at the exit of Beit Iba – now they also check the yellow license-plates; at the Huwwara Junction – a surprise roadblock.14:45 Huwwara South. Terrible freezing weather. The shed – half flooded with floating filth. Five detainees; one of the students complains that he had already been delayed at the northern checkpoint, and another – that he has an up-to-date permit. The local commander explains that they look suspicious to him. When we inquire later, we are told that the detention wasn't really legitimate. The magnetic cards have no significance at the checkpoint.Meanwhile, we noticed some creative graffiti on the cement wall which is part of a military construction (there is a manned outlook connected to it). They say: "Pesh'a (i.e., "crime", but a pun on Yesh'a) Council – death to Arabs and Traitors" (see photo). When we point this out to the various armed forces, they claim that they had already complained about it, and added: "What do you want, that we should erase it?" (too humiliating an action for the IDF), and admit that the graffiti have already decorated the spot for two weeks. When we asked what would have happened if the graffiti said "Death to all Jews/settlers", we were answered by raised eyebrows. Our driver, Ihab, brought some spray paint with which we covered over what was necessary, we left what we could, and added in Hebrew and Arabic the dirty four-lettered word "Shalom" (see the after-photo). Of course, the checkpoint commander came immediately and accused us of vandalizing IDF property, asked us to identify ourselves (refused) and threatened to cal the police (he didn't), and we all left, leaving behind three novice settler-terrorists in place. The Huwwara teams should follow-up and observe what is written on the wall.16:45 G'at Junction, a surprise roadblock. 15 cars on one side and 6 from the direction of Huwwara.