'Anabta, Qalqiliya, Shave Shomron, Tue 23.12.08, Afternoon
13.25
Jubara.
A surprising innovation. A technological checkpoint. A sign on
the jeep of the Israeli police. A Palestinian was checked (we did not
see the technology) and we went on without photographing. No cars in
either direction and there is a Hummer and a military jeep in honour of
the Israeli state. The gate to the village is closed and we did not ask
for it to be opened as we had babysitting duties at the end of the
shift. Before we went on our way the technological man went on his way
too.
13.30
Anabta.
A specially long line of Israeli and Palestinian cars ( mainly
taxis) , at least 45, are waiting. (This is as much as we could count).
Drivers said they had been waiting for an hour and a half. In a
conversation with the commander who was very polite we were told that
the obvious reason was the careful checking of all cars. We informed
the centre who said they would deal with it. Also at the exit in the
direction of Tulkarm was a "short" line of 15 cars. As I write this
Nurit reports that the situation has improved.
14.10 Shave Shomron.
Unusually there is a line in both directions and a waiting period of 5 minutes. We left for Beit Iba,
16.05 Qaliliya checkpoint. Many cars, (15) moving at a reasonable pace.
16.30 We went home through the Ephraim gate.