'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Jubara (Kafriat), Qalqiliya, Mon 2.2.09, Morning
Translation: Galia S.
Eliyahu Passage
06:55 – In the parking lot workers are waiting for transportation. Many workers who haven't passed yet are waiting among the trees outside the fence for their turn to pass.
Qalqiliya
07:00 – In both directions the passage of cars is quick. Actually almost only Israeli cars are checked. When we arrive there are 5 cars at the exit from Qalqiliya and at the entrance there is no line at all as cars pass without inspection.
07:20 – Azzun checkpoint is open.
Anabta
09:30 – There is a line of 10 cars at the entrance in the direction of Tulkarm. Two detained taxis are parked near the pillbox. A dog trainer with a dog checks the taxis. A military jeep is parked on the other side of the pillbox young men from the detained taxis are sent there. Today is probably an enlisting day for the "Shabak" [Israeli General Security Service] (See the Beit Iba report). A third taxi that comes from the direction of Tulkarm is also detained and the young men that are in it are sent to have a "talk" with the civilian sitting in the jeep.
Everything is done quietly and politely and the people come and go as if they are on their way to see the doctor… A taxi that had already been detained when we arrived hasn't been released yet. After more than 15 minutes it is still there. The soldier who handles the passage of vehicles stops each Israeli driver who dares come close without waiting for his hand gesture to teach him a lesson. The line gets longer with 15 cars in it, but then the soldier lets them all pass without inspection. A convoy of 10 huge trucks with trailers that have Israeli licence plates comes from the direction of Tulkarm. They are escorted by a UN car which waits beside the road until all the trucks have passed. The carry flour bags to Gaza. The soldiers check the papers of each driver with great care, which, of course, causes the line to get longer and delays the truck convoy. Two UN persons try to speed up the passage but the soldier, unwilling to pay any attention to them, waves them away.
Twenty cars are at the exit from Anabta and 25 at the entrance. Palestinians pass quickly while Israelis are being taught a lesson…
10:00 – The situation is unchanged and we leave.