Nablus

Summary: Significant improvement in
comparison with our observations two weeks ago. The passage is much
better organized and most soldiers behave properly. There were
water containers on both sides, though at South end it was
empty.

Huwwara South, 8:00am. A line of around 200 men and a much shorter
line of women. Local people reported that the checkpoint opened
around 06:40. Some people waited from very early morning hours. Men
who arrived around 6am passed around 9am. With our arrival, the
rate of movement increased significantly and at around 10am there
were almost no lines. The three soldiers in charge proved again
that three soldiers could handle a big crowd non-violently. We were
told that men between 16-35 need permits, but this was not strictly
implemented. Some An-Najjah University students wanted to go to
their exams, but the University announced that the academic year
was closed on Thursday, creating a problem. A merchandise transfer
was directed to Awarta, a nearby checkpoint. Ambulances passed
quickly. We saw a Field Mobile Hospital with delivery room and
small surgery equipment, on its way to Ein Furiq.

Huwarra North: Worse here than in the South. Many more people. Two
female and two male soldiers were assisting the commander with the
checking. They were not particularly nice, but we have seen worse.
Checking was rather slow, there was warning of a potential
terrorist passage. The rule here was: men 16-40 need special
permit, women pass freely. We moved humanitarian cases (old, ill
and women with babies) to the front of the line. We managed to put
some of them on ambulances, to shorten their wait. We persuaded the
soldiers to let through an old lady who forget her ID, a young man
with a doctor appointment, and a young husband accompanying his
wife to hospital. We did not succeed with a young Jordanian
businessman whose papers the soldiers found unconvincing. A young
man with a permanent address in Qalqilya who lives, studies and
works in Nablus was refused passage. We expressed our appreciation
of the improved organization of the checkpoint. Soldiers were glad
that we told them that. They wanted to present themselves as
"good guys", and presently this is our main tool to
operate on behalf of the Palestinians.