Falamiya North Checkpoint (914), Falamiya South Checkpoint (935)

Unlike previous visits, this time for some reason there were fewer people and tractors at both checkpoints, particularly at Falamiya North (914).

06:00  A group of Palestinians already sat waiting around a small fire when we arrived.  People enjoyed the regular social gathering.  The gate opened on time and our attempt to distribute information sheets in Arabic (with the help of our Arabic-speaking friend) wasn’t successful.  He said they know who we are and what we do (or can’t do).  The Palestinians simply didn’t want to take the sheet.  As one of our acquaintances here had already told us, “We’ve gotten used to it…”

We asked whether today’s a holiday (the date Muhammad ascended to heaven!).  We were told the holiday had been moved to Saturday in order not to make people miss a day of work or of school.

06:50  Falamiya South (935).  Five tractors arrived, not at the same time, and were inspected immediately, the riders not having to get off.  It seems to be a combination of a relatively easygoing group of soldiers who might know the persons who cross daily, and the small number of people crossing.

We note each time the quantity of cement (and money) poured out at places like this to improve “security,” and also, apparently, the profits of the occupation’s contractors.

We brought parcels to Zar’an in ‘Azzun and saw a teacher holding an “educational display.”