Beit Furik, Huwwara, Za'tara (Tapuah), Tue 8.1.08, Morning

Share:
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email
Observers: 
Oshri (guest), Nurit W., Etty P., Rachel A. (reporting)
Jan-8-2008
|
Morning

Translation: Hanna K.

08:00 Za'tara/Tapuach Junction: There are no cars.

Burin/Yitzhar Junction: The CP is not manned.

Beit Furik:
Very few cars and few people passing. Probably because of the "bridge"  - Yesterday there was a Christian holiday and tomorrow is the Hajara day for the Muslims. The Government has declared a bridge day.
The soldiers are almost idle. We do not approach beyond the turnstiles. One bored soldier comes up to us to say good morning...

09:00  Huwwara
About 20-30 people are waiting. Somebody complains that he has been waiting for an hour and a half.
There are two checking points and one humanitarian point.
Because of the winter clothes the checking is slowed down: coats are taken off, sweaters are lifted, a belt is taken off...
T. from the DCO arrives. He exudes friendliness. He invites us to come to the watch-stand on the lane that leads to the exntrance to Nablus, to see the poster that hangs there - as a result of our initiative. The poster depicts the certificates that provide its bearers with the permission to enter Nablus, such as the ones given to the different Human Rights organizations.
The aim of the poster is to make things easier for the soldiers and to avoid arguments.
We again are confronted with the paradox of the occupation: deeds that are performed perhaps also from a desire to simplify processes, and possibly even to make things easier, become another layer in the perpetuation of the occupation and its becoming a permanent fixture.
The CP commander B. behaves politely towards us. When we ask why there are only two checking posts, we answers that the soldiers are eating just now. But even half an hour later no additional checking post was opened. At the CP there are today relatively many soldiers, probably because of Bush's visit.

10:00 Burin/Yitzhar Junction: it is no manned.
Za'tara/Tapuah Junction: There are about 12 cars waiting.